Blog Post
10 Tips to Avoid Overpaying Your Commercial Roofing Contractor
christine • May 7, 2020
things to look for before you start that will save you in the end
When you're in the market for a new roof, you want to make a sound investment that will last for years and fully protect your property. And make no mistake: a quality roof is an investment.
At the same time, no one can afford to waste money overpaying a commercial roofing contractor, and there are ways you can be sure you won't be overpaying.
1. Do You Know the Materials that You Would Like Installed?
Spend some time understanding the scope of what you need and the average prices in your area. What's the average price per square foot for a commercial roof and which roofing materials are most popular or common?
2. Get a Free Estimate & Read the Contract to Make Sure They Will Stick to it.
It's always smart not to accept the very first offer you receive. Get another opinion, and if the two are radically different, get a third. If your commercial roofing contractor won't come out to give you a free estimate, move on to the next one who will. And if they try to give you an estimate without coming to see the structure at all, give that company a pass. They're likely to quote you one thing over the phone and then find a mysterious need to raise the price over multiple little things throughout the project.
A good contractor knows his project costs and will stick to the budget. Only approved change orders in writing should raise the cost of your project.
When going through your bids: The outliers at the low end almost certainly aren't worth your time, while those at the high end may be overcharging. Look for contractors clustered near the average while remembering that quality work and more qualifications will mean paying a bit more: but it's usually worth it!
3. Avoid the Storm Chasers
Whenever Texas suffers a storm, roofers of questionable repute show up, looking to take advantage of the situation. Some don't even have a real business location in the community. While the prices they quote can seem like a great deal, you're going to end up overpaying if they bail halfway through your project or even after the job is done. Often leaving behind them a sloppy installation that voids the warranty. A qualified roofing company doesn't need to run around knocking on doors or chasing up your business after a storm.
4. Look for Qualifications and Licensure, Good Standing & Certifications
No matter what you pay for your roofing project, you're overpaying if you're not getting a quality roof from a company you can count on to be there if something goes wrong. A good roofing contractor will be voluntarily licensed even when it's not required by state law, will have a good Better Business Bureau rating
with transparent reviews, and will be certified by major material manufacturers.
When you choose a roofing contractor with certifications like Commercial GAF low slow TPO, Mule-Hide & Duro-Last, they can offer you the best and longest warranties due to superior installations. You can get work redone if there's a mistake, you can be sure your warranty will be honored and you have a licensing body (in Texas it is RCAT) or the BBB as resources.
6. Work With an Established Community Presence
When you get your roof done with a company that values their place in the local community and has been a community presence for years, you know you're not going to overpay. There are a couple of reasons for this.
First, a business that gives back to its community and participates as a business leader is a business that everyone knows. If they're offering slipshod work, overcharging their clients, or doing anything else other than offering the best roofs at fair prices, and with good customer service, people are going to know. A contractor who fleeces people isn't going to last long and be an important member of the community.
Second, a business that supports their community and takes their civic duty seriously is interested in helping that community thrive.
After all, it's where everyone at their company lives, works, shops, goes to church, sends their kids to school, and more! Overcharging customers and delivering poor work isn't the way to make your community thrive.
7. Look for Insurance
A good roofing contractor has all the insurance
they need to keep themselves, their people and your property safe. This should include general liability insurance in case the roofing isn't done right and needs remedial work, auto insurance that covers everyone driving and delivering for the company, and workman's compensation so you're protected from any property claims if there's an accident during your project.
This kind of insurance doesn't come cheap, and a commercial roofing contractor with all the right insurance will always have to charge a bit more than a contractor who has skipped these essential protections. But all that protection means you'll never be overpaying for your roof by having to get work redone or deal with a personal injury claim if there's an accident.
8. Avoid Anyone Who Offers to "Get Your Roof Bought"
Many companies offer to help you "get your roof bought" with the insurance company, as of September 1st, 2019
that is illegal.
9. Discuss All Your Options in Advance
Don't choose a roofing contractor that simply offers you a choice of materials or roof types and either tries to give you a hard sell on the most expensive type or doesn't give you any guidance at all. Ask about the various options: a great contractor will be able to provide you with specifics about what they recommend and exactly why. They should also be able to explain clearly why they don't recommend another type for your roofing project. Whether you end up buying something you don't need or spend less for a roof that causes you issues later, you're overpaying in the end.
10. Look for a Company That Is Generous
Generous people are, by definition, not money-hungry. If a roofing contractor is actively involved in giving back to the community through charitable giving or offering up their time and expertise to get roofs over the heads of those who need them most, you know you're not going to overpay. If a company is generous with its employees and makes sure they're fairly compensated and covered with the insurance and benefits they deserve, you know you're not going to overpay.
About Austin Roofing and Construction
We're Austin's premier residential and commercial roofing company, with three generations of experience and an established Austin presence. We're proud to be a part of Austin and to donate 1% of our income to the Community First! Village
as well as put free roofs on residences in that area as well as in service to our veterans. All the shingles and metal we use are made right here in Texas.
We believe in taking care of our employees, and for us, customer service always comes first. We're licensed by the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas and have a BBB rating of A+. We're also certified preferred contractors in some of the best roofing materials available and can offer the longest warranties.
Check out Austin Roofing and Construction today and get a free estimate or just talk to us about your project and get some advice! We're always ready to put our expertise to use to help another Austin-area commercial enterprise succeed, and we take your safety and the safety of our people seriously during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We offer no-contact service and are following all Texas Corona Construction Site Protocols. Call us today 512-629-4949.
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