Apple to apples, but are some apples rotten?

I’ve wrote about this topic before but it is one that more people need to start to understand. There are many things to consider when looking at doing a project, in all industries, but I will be covering the roofing industry. The thing that everyone has been taught is that when you get your bids you look on all the bids and compare what is being put down, and then if everyone is bidding the same thing look at the bid price, and we bingo we have the low price winner. Great sign the contract and let’s do it. The thing that is not being looked into is the fact that almost anyone can find a way to buy a product, but that does not make them an expert is that field. There is no two roofing companies alike some are better and some much worse. Sure if they put on the roof wrong, you can sue them and probley win, but you’ll never get back all the money you lost and you can’t make up for the stress caused. So what can you look for?

How long have they long in business, and has management changed? New management can be bad for you if they do not care about anything but your money. How long and how many systems like the one they are bidding have they installed. Are they certified with their manufacture? (Get proof, not their word on it). Find out if they have won any awards. (Get proof, not just their word on it). Where is the warranty coming from? Contractor warranties are no good if something happens to them. Find out them from others. Anyone can find three people to say they do a good job, and anyone that provides you with three references you can bet it’s their three best ever. Find out about their worst job ever. Anyone that has been around has their “nightmare job”. It’s how they fix it that makes them a so so company or a great one. Do they have service teams to fix any problems that may arise quickly? A good company will fix any problems if they arise same or next day, not in a week or so.

Knowing the information just listed will save a lot of head aches and hopefully will stop you from being one of the several dozen roofs I look at each year that need to be replaced prematurely because of a bad workmanship. Remember quality will cost you a little more at first but a lot less in the future!