It shouldn’t be hard to choose a roofing contractor. The problem might be that there are so many vying for your attention. There might be a few hundred or even several thousands of them in your state alone. Many of those contractors, sadly, don’t offer much in terms of workmanship, reliability and even customer relations. That’s why you have to choose carefully.
There are ways to determine who deserves to be on your shortlist. One of those is the way they prepare their roofing estimate. When you have chosen several contractors, compare their estimates and check them for these details:
Cost of Materials
It’s common to find that your roofers have marked up the prices of the materials they are going to use. The markup should not exceed 30% of the market value for any of the materials. Do some digging so you know if a contractor knows the most recent market prices and if they’re quoting a fair price.
Materials that cost a lot less than others are not necessarily the best materials. They’re cheap for a reason, and that reason might not bode well for your roof’s longevity and your peace of mind. GAF roofs, for example, cost more, but they are also some of the most advanced and reliable products on the market. Truly, you get what you pay for.
Cost of Labor
Don’t accept a quote unless the labor costs are broken down. Some contractors include different things in their total labor cost, such as tear-off and cleaning, so it’s best if you know the details behind what they’re charging you.
Don’t choose a contractor just because they seem to charge the lowest prices for the labor. Higher fees might mean the contractor has more experience and some certifications from manufacturers.
Some things to remember:
- A roofing estimate is not a contract. It’s just an estimate. If it’s from a reputable contractor, it’s probably more accurate than others.
- As it’s still just an estimate, your contractor should give you the freedom to make changes.
- Contractors that try their best to adjust an estimate based on your budget, but also inform you of the pros and cons of your decisions, are better contractors.
- Do not hire a contractor that sends you an estimate without even visiting your home for an inspection.
You can get a free estimate from us at Cantrell Roofing, LLC. We install and maintain sloped and flat roofing systems on homes and businesses. Call us today at (903) 848-9494 (Canton), (903) 848-9494 (Burleson), (903) 848-9494 (Sherman) or (903) 848-9494 (Tyler). You can also fill out this form for a free consultation.
