Here’s What You Need To Know
As spring slowly emerges in Nebraska, many homeowners decide that now is the time to think about a new roof. This can be a very overwhelming prospect as roofs are not only vital to your home’s integrity, but they are also not cheap. Many homeowners also worry about getting taken advantage of by an unscrupulous roofing company, which is a valid concern. Fortunately, if you educate yourself about the process of getting an estimate and keep in mind some tips on choosing a reputable company, you won’t have to worry.
What Should Be Included in a Roofing Estimate?
One sign of working with a professional roofing company is that they will provide you with a comprehensive estimate. At the minimum, your estimate should include a cost for labor and a cost for materials.
Labor Costs
As the name implies, these are the costs associated with the time and effort of the roofing crew to remove your old roof (if applicable) and install the new one. Seeing a cost for both removal and installation is helpful and shows professionalism on the part of the roofing company.
Material Costs
One of the ways roofing companies make money is to mark up the materials they buy wholesale. Not only is this legitimate, but it’s necessary for any roofing company to stay in business. However, this is where numbers can start varying because it’s up to the roofing company to decide how much they will mark up their materials. In general, you want to look for a mark up of less than 30%. You can check this by talking to a local roofing supplier about their wholesale costs. Make sure you know exactly what materials the company is using before making the call.
Other Charges
Depending on your specific projects, your roofing estimate may also include some miscellaneous charges. These could include the cost of removing any debris from a tear-off, transportation costs, or rental of dumpsters. If you see charges you don’t understand on your estimate, always ask the company about them.
Is the Estimate Always Accurate?
There’s a reason it is called an estimate! This is what the roofing company anticipates your project will cost based on the information they’ve gathered during the evaluation process. A reputable roofing company will be able to discuss the estimate with you and will be open and honest about any issues that may occur during the project that could increase the cost. For example, a roofer simply can’t know what is under an old roof until they tear it off. If there is significant damage to your decking, the costs will increase.
Choosing a Reputable Roofing Company
When you choose a reputable roofing company, you can have peace of mind that your estimate is fair and accurate and that you’ll receive excellent customer service during the entire process. A reputable roofing company will conduct a througouh inspection before they give you an estimate and will answer any questions. You should feel comfortable with the representative and never feel like information is being held back. Choosing a roofer with a good local reputation, with references from local clients, and with good reviews online is imperative.
Keep in mind that reputable roofing companies will likely not have the lowest prices in town. You get what you pay for when it comes to roofs, and choosing the lowest estimate is usually not the best way to go. Be wary of estimates that are much lower than others and any roofing comapany that claims they will refund the cost of your insurance deductible. These usually indicate a company that has something to hide.
When it’s time to consider a new roof, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not the estimate you get will be fair. When you work with a reputable roofing company like Hometown Roofing, you’ll know you have the best professionals in the business for your project. Ready to get started? Call us for a free estimate today!
