The laundry list of items to make sure are included in your quote and contract is significantly long. You really need to make sure every single one of these are included – but that is YOUR call. I wrote a long article going into detail about items needed in your quote and contract. After you finish reading the Overview, I recommend reading it. Title: “Items to make SURE, are included in Roofing quote and contract”.
It is extremely important that you do not take your roof quote and contract as comprehensive. You will get a standard quote / contract, and very few of the essential items listed will be stated in the quote and contract.
One of my favorite expressions is, “A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it is written on.”.
Assuming that particular aspects of your roof replacement will be automatically handled correctly is not wise.
Assuming that all particulars of what is stated in the contract will be handled as agreed, again is also not wise. Diligence is required on your part to avoid costly mistakes. After the roof is completed, and you have rendered final payment, you have the proverbial chance of a snowflake in hell to get things corrected without the contract specifying that those items are required.
To state again, EVEN WITH THE CONTRACT specifying almost every detail, it can be challenging to get errors corrected.
It is frustrating to make sure the job is done correctly, But you, or an advocate, must be in charge of making sure the job is correct.
I do not recommend discussing any of the details here with the Roofing Company, prior to receiving your quote. Your job is to evaluate the Roofing Company on how they do business, without steering them to provide lip service that makes you feel more comfortable.
YOU WANT TO DISCOVER HOW OPEN AND TRANSPARENT A COMPANY IS BEFORE DISCUSSING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING DETAILS.
Refer to the overview section, “Requesting a quote” for a discussion about getting a quote first, without telling the company all of the details important to you.
REMEMBER: The actual individuals putting the shingles on are ALMOST always a sub-contractor that puts on roofs for multiple roofing companies. In turn, these subs employ individuals that have a strongly likelihood of: a limited perspective to detail, no idea as to building codes or mfg requirements. They WILL likely cut corners. Yes, I speak from personal observation.
The Salesperson is rarely involved in the actual work or oversight of your new roof installation. And even if so, the sales guy isn’t up there with the crew evaluating everything with an eye for detail and correctness.
So the quotes that turn into contracts must be very explicit. It must be clear. It must be comprehensive.
Factors that the quote must include:
MATERIAL QUANTITY DETAILS
MATERIAL HANDLING – AVOIDING DAMAGE
ROOFING QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION AND ASSEMBLY
CHIMNEY
VENTILATION
ATTIC INSPECTION
ROOF SHEATHING REPLACEMENT
STRUCTURAL FRAMING REPAIR
PERSONNEL ON YOUR ROOF.
PROTECTING YOUR PROPERTY (from damage)
CLEANLINESS
DECORUM
HOW DAMAGES TO HOME WILL BE HANDLED
STATEMENT OF LIABILITY
I highly recommend reading the article titled, “Items to make SURE, are included in Roofing quote and contract”.
NEXT: Add missing items to quote / contract.