Roofers...

Sunbed · 27 Jan 2016 at 09:07

I'm mystified with how roofers operate. How do they survive?

Just getting them round to give me a quote is like trying to get blood from a stone. Even when I'd told him his quote had been accepted, getting him to start was a challenge. Finally (and this is the best bit), he got so sick of my demands to get a proper breakdown of activities in writing and before/after photos that he eventually stopped answering my texts and calls, even after he had done approx 9 man-hours of work.

I can't believe that so many roofing companies seem so reluctant to accept a sizable repair job. Maybe I should start my own roofing company because they are obviously loaded already and don't need new business :rolleyes:

Sunbed · 28 Jan 2016 at 13:19

OK so when is not a busy time? I assumed Jan/Feb when people aren't on holiday would be the ideal time!

Sunbed · 28 Jan 2016 at 14:42

Makes sense! Maybe I will wait.

Sunbed · 1 Feb 2016 at 09:35

MatteH Oxford said:
Why do you need a breakdown of costs for a job that has an agreed overall cost? A breakdown isn't going to lower it.

I said breakdown of activities, not necessarily a breakdown of costs.

- Replace lead flashing
- Replace broken slates
- Repoint ridge tiles

...is a lot more useful than "fix roof". Usually when I buy something I like to know what I'm getting for my money.

Hedge said:
Some people are always convinced they are being ripped off. A lot of the time the people who have no show builders are people who ask too many questions and the builder can't be arsed with the hassle.

Not really in my example. I just simply want to know what I'm getting for my money. If answering a few text messages is too much hassle then someone else can have my business.

Sunbed · 1 Feb 2016 at 11:19

justalex81 said:
i run a heating company. I am always happy to give cost breakdowns and explain things in great detail, but some people just wont stop asking questions or try to get loads of extras for free. Some have even questioned if i know what i'm doing. when they've gone too far i usually tell them i am no longer interested in doing the work. I also tell them why. They don't like that too much lol...

I can imagine there are plenty of difficult customers. This is why I think some form of written breakdown and agreement is so important because it protects the company providing the services as well as protecting the customer.

In my situation I'd have much rather been told why my questions were aggravating, rather than simply ignoring me. The funny thing is, I was ignored for asking for quotes for additional and presumably higher margin work that I wanted doing :confused: