Why You Should Be Wary Of Low Cost Roofing Bids

We always recommend getting at least three separate bids from licensed roofing professionals whenever you’re in the market for a significant repair or replacement. While it may be tempting to take the lowest bid, take the time to be discerning and learn why there is such a difference in pricing.

Low Cost Roofing Bids May Indicate 3 Red Flags

Low cost roofing bids can be red flags, especially when there is a thousands-of-dollar difference between the highest and lowest bids. 

The contractor isn’t licensed, bonded, or insured

This is a biggie. NEVER work with any contractor who isn’t licensed, bonded, and insured. Those last two are almost as important as the first. 

Verify they’re licensed

Sometimes, contractors lose their licenses because they choose not to renew them or because of bad business practices (including criminal offenses!). Asking to see proof of licensure and then verifying that their California contractor’s license is valid should be the first step you take before ever asking for a bid.

Ask for proof of insurance

If they don’t have insurance, you are putting yourself at risk. A current contractor’s liability policy protects your home, its contents, and occupants in case anything is damaged due to their work. Furthermore, if they don’t have insurance and someone is injured on the job, they can sue your homeowner’s insurance – and win! 

Having an adequate contractor’s liability policy is a standard professional practice in our industry.

Ensure they’re bonded

Finally, most professional and reputable contractors in California have active bonds that protect their clients. These bonds are used to finish the job—or refund money the client spent—if a job isn’t completed or the work is not done in compliance with current building codes and roofing standards. 

In good faith instances, this bond comes into play if the contractor was injured, fell ill, died, or was unable to complete the job through no fault of their own. However, if your contractor is more of a fly-by-night type, runs into financial issues, or otherwise disappears and doesn’t finish the job, that bond is what you’ll use to finish it right.

Each of these things – license renewal, Bay Area worthy insurance policies, and adequate bond amounts cost money. Some of that money you’re “saving” on a lowball bid may be a sign the prospective contractor isn’t paying those expenses.

They use low quality materials

Your new roof’s lifespan largely depends on contractor/installation expertise, materials quality, and keeping up with annual maintenance requirements. Now that you’ve limited bids to local Bay Area roofing contractors with current licensure, insurance, and bonding, it’s time to look at those bids through an itemized lens.

If you see a noticeable difference between estimates, pay attention (or ask) about the quality of materials they’re using and the expected manufacturer’s warranties. Sometimes, contractors desperate for the job use second rate materials to provide low cost roofing bids and get the contract. The problem is that any compromise in materials quality puts you at risk for leaks, a more vulnerable roof structure, and the potential for more frequent repairs over the years. 

It’s well worth the minimal investment in high-quality materials now because you’ll earn that money back—and then some—over the new roof’s extended lifetime.

They cut costs on labor to offer low cost roofing bids

There are so many things wrong with roofing companies who cut costs on labor, and your roof – and your bottom line – will suffer for it. The best roofing contractors in the Bay Area generously compensate their hardworking laborers. While we didn’t include this in our list of questions to ask when choosing a residential roofer, a bonus question would certainly be, “Tell me about your employees and how long they’ve worked for you.” 

Experienced roofers who have been in business for ten years or more have employees who have been with them for just as long or close to it. A well paid, well treated employee is loyal and works better than their poorly paid, taken-for-granted counterpart. Any employee who isn’t paid or treated well by an employer may take shortcuts or lack focus because their heart isn’t in it, and they’re waiting for something else to come along; that makes for a poorly installed roof.

Also, a safety first mentality should be a primary focus for any roofing company. Roof elevations and steep pitches put our employees at risk daily, and accidents in this line of work can be life-altering and even fatal. So, part of your bid’s labor costs includes the investment we make in keeping our employees safe on the job. An employer who cuts corners regarding safety practices may offer cheaper bids, but the potential risks on your job aren’t worth it.

You want to hire someone who cares enough about their employees to implement the best safety precautions in the industry. These include industry-regulated fall protection, sturdy and well-maintained ladders, adequate breaks, sun protection, and so on.

Central Bay Roofing Guarantees 100% Satisfaction & Quality Craftsmanship

With a lifespan of 20+ years or more (depending on your chosen roofing materials), replacing a roof should only happen once or twice in your lifetime. 

Contact Central Bay Roofing for a free, no-obligation estimate. We’re happy to review our estimate with you so you understand our pricing and guarantee 100% customer satisfaction. We’ll never lowball a bid to get the job; our word-of-mouth referrals and high online ratings are proof of our work and commitment to a job done right. Contact us to get started.