If you’ve queried several roofing contractors for an estimate on your upcoming roof replacement or repair, it’s time to start making your final decision. You need to be careful not to let your final decision be driven solely by budget and dollar signs. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Take the time to read each job proposal, and do your research on each roofer to make sure they’re as highly qualified as they say they are. Here are three reasons that simply choosing the lowest-dollar estimate for the job won’t necessarily serve you well.

1. The Lowest Bid Could Be Based on Unrealistic Expectations

When trying to undercut other contractors’ bids, some roofing contractors may quote you the best-case scenario instead of considering a more reasonable expectation. For example, they may calculate the price for the fastest possible roofing job, but then when the job takes longer, they’ll still charge you for more.

An experienced, highly-rated contractor is more likely to have a realistic expectation of how long the job will take than someone new to the profession or who doesn’t specialize in roofing and construction. Talk to previous customers of that contractor to see how much the final price is likely to differ from the original quote.

2. The Lowest Bid May Not Include Everything You Need

Too many extra-cheap roofing jobs end up with a roof that has reused flashing or underlayment or no underlayment at all, any of which can significantly compromise the integrity of the roof. One reason you need to compare each proposal closely, not just the dollars but also the proposed process for the job, is so you can avoid this kind of problem.

If one proposal is for a roof overlay instead of a complete tear-off and re-roofing, that job will have a much lower labor cost because tear-off is such a big part of the job. But skipping the tear-off can have huge implications for not only your new roof’s lifespan but also for any hidden damage to the roof deck.

This is one area where the principle that you get what you pay for comes into play. Whether the lowest-bidding roofing contractor is planning to cut corners or whether they’re simply too inexperienced to know how much flashing and underlayment the job needs, you’ll be best served choosing a different contractor.

3. The Lowest Bid May Be From a Less Qualified Contractor

Check the roofing contractor’s qualifications before hiring. The best contractors are in higher demand and can afford to charge a reasonable price for their services rather than a bargain price. Someone who’s trying to work in the field without the correct qualifications or experience may use low bids to tempt you away from more qualified options.

If your contractor is unqualified, you have no way of knowing if they actually have the skills needed to install your roof correctly. Specific techniques and materials are needed to meet building code and protect your home from the elements.

Ending up with a roof that doesn’t meet building code or keep rain out can cost you much more than choosing a less bargain-basement estimate for your roofing job.

You can’t simply compare the prices on the roofing job proposals you receive. You have to also compare roofing contractor qualifications, what’s included in the job proposal, whether the contractor plans to use the correct materials, and whether they’re experienced enough to estimate the job scope accurately.

For more information on roofing replacement and repair jobs from a qualified contractor, contact D.S. Bahr Construction, Inc. today to find out how we can help you with your roofing needs.