Of the companies that respond to your request, you get to approve who actually makes a visit to your location.
If a company sounds unprofessional, rude, lazy or doesn’t respond timely to you – you get to say no.
A quick caveat. It is possible that a company might sound great, and want to send you a quote via your email without actually visiting. If such a situation does arise, tell them sure, that is fine. I’ll explain how this can be useful later.
Basically, any and all companies that would like to come out and look things over, should be welcomed. There is no obligation for you to choose any of these companies for your new roof, however.
If, for example, you had 10 companies that wanted to come out? Welcome it. Make sure that each company ONLY comes out on an approved date and time. Do NOT just let the companies show up whenever. Set the scheduling so you don’t have any simultaneous visits between companies.
You could even tell the agent(s), “Please respect our time, and only come by at our agreed date and time.”
You do not need to share information about other companies you have had, or will have, visit your home. If you are asked, simply respond with, “We are doing our due diligence.” Don’t accept any prying.
Roofing companies vary in their approach to evaluating your roof. Some will get on your roof, some won’t. Some will get in your attic, some won’t. Some will ask detailed questions, some won’t.
Be prepared that if a company needs access to your attic, that you have a path ready before they show up. Many access points are in closets, and things have to be moved out in order to set up a a ladder, and get up into the attic. If access is via a drop down in the garage, than it is simple. It is important that the the Roofing Company can get all the information that it needs. Be proactive, know where the access point is, make it easy as possible for them to get in.
Listen to what each company tells you, and make notes. Remember, if it isn’t in the contract, than those words were meaningless. But pay attention, make notes. You will not be able to remember everything just a single company tells you, and you will have multiple companies come out – that is a lot of information.
If after evaluation a company wants to leave a quote, or email you right then – absolutely accept. If they want to go over the quote right then, tell them that after you have had time to look the quote over, you will contact them.
Why? Because they are going to use words not in the quote to explain the quote. The only words that matter, are the words in the quote – which is usually converted to a contract without additional modifications.
NOTE: I present this warning again, don’t sign anything at this time. Not a single thing.
After each quote comes in, the process of evaluation on the provided scope of work, cost, caveats, etc, must be performed. It will be interesting to see the wide range of how each quote is structured, and what each quote specifies.
Let’s evaluate!
Next: Evaluate Quotes Provided