In the world of roofing, the statistics are nothing short of alarming. A staggering 80% of roofing companies fail within their first two years of operation, and the situation doesn’t improve with time.
In just five years, 96% of these businesses close their doors for good, leaving a trail of frustrated customers holding the bill for repairs.
You might be wondering, “What does this have to do with my roof estimates?”
When roofing companies fail, statistics show that it is almost always related to bad business decisions involving money. Taking on business at a price below what they can afford is the most common pitfall for a roofing company destined to fail.
You deserve a fair price. However, a price significantly lower than your other quotes is a reason for alarm. The good news is that reputable contractors will be able to provide this for you!
It can be overwhelming to factor in all of these moving parts and understand exactly what you are looking at on your estimate.
In this article, we will explain why we at Linta Roofing do not price match and why a price match guarantee could cause future issues between you, your roofer, and your wallet.
Dangers of the Price Match Guarantee in Roofing
Similar to other reputable roofing companies, we do not price match at Linta Roofing. Not because you don’t deserve a break, but because you deserve the most accurate estimate we can provide.
A reputable contractor is not as concerned about competing against other companies as they are about living up to their warranty claims and providing quality work. The reason so many roofing companies go out of business is because they want to keep up with the demand for lower estimates.
If there is an issue down the road, you don’t want to be left holding the bill because your roofer did not charge their customers accordingly and ultimately went out of business. The odds are in your favor when you avoid the lowest estimate.
Not only does a higher estimate typically indicate better quality, but it will also save you money long-term.
Being informed about a roofing company’s diligence practices is beneficial to you, as it ensures that your roofer can fulfill their warranty claims.
What Estimates Tell You About Your Roofing Company’s Due Diligence Practices
If a roofer is offering a significantly lower price than other estimates, you may want to be a bit wary. This may be because the contractor made a mistake in their estimating process. The most common estimating mistake is underestimating the amount of materials needed. When receiving multiple roofing quotes you should notice some similarities in pricing.
There shouldn’t be an estimate that stands out because it is significantly lower than your other estimates.
Whether it is Linta Roofing or another reputable contractor, most businesses with a long-standing reputation will not compromise integrity to make up for another contractor’s mistake by price matching.
Many contracts include provisions for potential roof deck and rafter damage. This is a standard practice in the roofing industry because the extent of roof deck replacement is often not apparent until the existing roof is removed. It is important for your roofing company to clearly specify in the contract the cost for replacing each sheet of a deteriorated roof deck.
If this information is not provided in the contract, it creates an opportunity for a contractor to add charges later, possibly as a way to offset losses incurred due to underestimating the job. Therefore, it is crucial for the contract to explicitly state the replacement cost for rotten roof deck sheets to ensure transparency and avoid unexpected charges.
Our estimates fall in the middle price range for the Myrtle Beach area. This is because we emphasize due diligence, which means our estimate might not be the lowest on your list.
In our due diligence process, we employ advanced techniques, such as satellite imagery-based roof measurements, often referred to as roof scopes. Scopes aid in providing you with an accurate estimation.
After getting our measurement scope, we will come to your home and verify the measurements are accurate by hand. This allows us to be as accurate as possible when we offer our estimate to you. If a roofing company does not verify the measurements that they have, there is reason for alarm. This is a sign of bad business practice and it may result in hurting not only the contractor but you as well.
Transparent Roof Estimates are Rarely The Lowest Estimate
Rather than telling you what you want to hear to close the deal, a good contractor will provide their best estimate with good quality and a long lifespan as a top priority. A roofing contractor is responsible for pricing your roof replacement accurately.
Sadly, people in the roofing industry have a bad reputation for being unreliable. Customers hire contractors, they do the work, and then they’re nowhere to be found when a customer has an issue. This is particularly concerning after an extreme weather event.
Reputable local contractors tend to get booked up after a heavy storm. Many times out-of-state contractors will come to an area that has been heavily impacted by a storm and take on work. But customers find themselves at a loss if they experience issues with their roofing system down the road and their contractor is nowhere to be found.
A reputable roofing contractor is eager to come back and correct any issues associated with the work they’ve completed on your roof.
Prioritizing value over price can limit the long-term implications associated with low roof estimates and the potential risk of security.
Choosing Value Over the Lowest Roof Estimate Price
Unfortunately, when roofing contractors close their doors, they leave a string of customers behind them with no peace of mind. When a roofing company disappears, so do their warranties.
Your roof is only as good as its warranty and the company that stands behind it. It is crucial to be able to identify a reliable contractor to make the most of that warranty if necessary.
Roofing companies that go out of business may not be able to keep up their side of the bargain.
You deserve a sense of safety.
Now that you know more about how to identify possible long-term issues with your roofing company by looking at an estimate, you are ready to compare your quotes. Remember, there is no price tag on a quality roof that will keep you and your family safe for years to come.
As you embark on your roofing journey, remember that the right choice now can save you from future headaches and ensure that your home remains a haven for many seasons to come.
Whether you choose Linta Roofing or another local contractor, we encourage you to visit our Learning Center as often as you need to make the best decision for your home.
