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Again, if the guy doesn't fully inspect the roof, he's not doing his job. Wouldn't you like to be aware of any wood that needed to be replaced before the job was started?
I look at this the same way I fix cars. You can guess what may be wrong with it or I can tell you for sure before any work is started.
Yeah, the guy told me that the fee would be refunded at the end of the install. The problem is, I am betting they add that fee in on the back end. It will just be easier going straight to a roofing company myself. I just wanted a simple estimate.
BTW, what I am finding so far from the estimates is that they take the cost of materials and double it and that is the labor charge. For example, the roofing materials cost $2,500 and they charge me $5,000 total for the materials and the labor. Does this sound accurate of what they do in your area?
Again, if the guy doesn't fully inspect the roof, he's not doing his job. Wouldn't you like to be aware of any wood that needed to be replaced before the job was started?
I look at this the same way I fix cars. You can guess what may be wrong with it or I can tell you for sure before any work is started.
He told me if any decking needed to be replaced, it would be $55 per sheet of wood. That price quote was mentioned in the 7 minutes. A lot of the times, you won't get a definite answer on whether or not the decking needs to be replaced until you tear off the old layer of shingles and felt.
An estimate should be absolutely free of charge. I have received two estimates from two roofing companies and guess what they charged me to come out and measure? NOTHING. It took they guy from each company 7 minutes to get the measurements and give me a price.
Lowe's could send someone out in a similar fashion. It would take them the same amount of time.
Anyway, I slept on it. I will NOT be using Lowe's for a roof install.
What you really have to watch out for is.... telling you that your roof is 34 squares when it's really 28 squares....and charging you for 34...
At $250.00 a square it can add up fast for something you are not getting.. And yes a lot of them do it....
What you really have to watch out for is.... telling you that your roof is 34 squares when it's really 28 squares....and charging you for 34...
At $250.00 a square it can add up fast for something you are not getting.. And yes a lot of them do it....
Yeah. That's why I measured off the roof myself and used some online calculators. Those come in handy. I also know they have to add in materials that will be wasted. I have learned that you can't take anyone's word anymore. And with the help of the internet, you can figure a lot of things out beforehand.
Home depot also charges to come out and measure so it just isn't Lowe's. I think the reason so many ppl use them is because they feel they are protected from many of the horror stories you hear using contractors who aren't licensed or insured, who take your money and do half a job or don't show up at all.
I agree they charged us the exact amt for labor as the cost for supplies. But they did show up and come out when we had a problem promptly. They guy told my DH that if you call the store to have them come out, it does go against them.
You have to figure if your time has value. If you talk to your neighbors you should be able to get a cost in mind and get some referrals. Mine ended up around $4k a few months ago. Covered shingles, felt, nails, all flashings replaced, all gaskets replaced around all vent pipes, all external vents replaced, replaced rotted wood (1x6's and trim, painted to match), included 2 sheets of plywood if needed, layed tarp around house, did clean up. Even arrived the next day in the morning to take a second cleanup look to make sure no nails were missed with a wheeled magnet. It wasnt a Lowes job but it was done within 48 hours of the estimate.
As to Lowes I've had them do a water heater, replace a bladder (creates water pressure in the home), and some other stuff. If the salesman at the store missed something from the checklist of parts, the contractor carries them all on their trucks. But what was great the store got charged for it and not me. Depending on day of the week and what time you arrive to set up work will equate to amount of time to schedule. Has never been more than two business days. And once they actually arrived on a Saturday to do the work.
People use the big box stores for convenience.. Not everyone is interested in spending a lot of time and effort trying to save every last dime, they just want the job done.
A few months ago, my neighbor went to Lowe's and ordered two french doors to replace two sliding doors. The door installation was $650.00 per door. He had them installed and he is happy with the doors, he is happy with the installation, he is happy with the price. No fuss, no muss, the job is done.
I did the same thing, but spent two months researching doors, suppliers, and installers. In the end, I saved several hundred dollars over his price on the doors, and my installation price was less than half of what he paid.
All of the estimates I got for installation were around $300 per unit, compared to him paying $650 each. That tells me Lowe's doubles the price and pockets the difference. They are in busness to make a profit, good for them.
It was worth it to me to spend time and effort researching and saving money, It was worth it to him to pay the price and have it over with.
Everyone has their own agendas, so big box stores work great for the guy who just wants the job done. The biggest % of the people are like that, that's why the big box stores are successful. For every DIYer, there are 10 people who just want the job done, and hang the cost..
Anyone who doesn't get multiple estimates deserves what they get. That is true if they use Loews or anyone else. It should be pretty clear pretty fast if loews is so much higher than other contractors.
I have used them for a few things in the past and not used them for other things. They were always competitive with the pricing on what I did use them for.
A friend in the floor covering business told me he could beat Sears prices easily and make a good profit... when I asked why anyone would go to Sears... he said financing and some people like doing business with a big name as opposed to an independent.
Now just about everyone accepts plastic... so financing isn't as big a deal as it was in the 50's, 60's and early 70's...
Last edited by Ultrarunner; 06-28-2010 at 11:42 PM..
Reason: typo
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