Locking in a price does sound like it brings some peace of mind, especially with how unpredictable material costs have been lately. But I keep wondering if pre-paying really makes sense for everyone, or if it just shifts the risk around. For example, what happens if your project gets delayed longer than expected? I’ve seen neighbors end up storing shingles for months because their contractor had to reschedule after a storm hit another job. Not everyone has the space (or patience) to babysit a bunch of roofing bundles in the basement.
And then there’s the question of product changes. CertainTeed sometimes tweaks their lines or colors, and if you’re sitting on material for a while, is there a risk of mismatch or warranty headaches? I know someone who pre-bought underlayment, only to find out their roofer preferred a different type for code compliance. Ended up eating the restock fee and still paying more for the right stuff.
I get that waiting can mean higher prices, but I’m not sure it always does. Around here (Midwest), prices actually dropped last fall after a summer spike, so folks who waited saved a bit. It feels like a gamble either way—are you betting on prices rising, or on your schedule staying put?
Curious if anyone’s tried negotiating with suppliers for a price hold without full pre-payment? I’ve heard some will lock in a quote for 30-60 days if you’re upfront about your timeline. Might be less risky than buying everything up front.
All that said, I totally agree that scrambling at the last minute is no fun. Just not sure pre-paying is always the lesser evil, especially if your project has any chance of delays or changes.
That’s a good point about the risk just shifting around. I’ve seen folks end up with a garage full of shingles for months, and then the color they picked goes out of production or fades in the sun before install. I’m always a little wary of pre-paying unless the timeline is rock solid, which, let’s be honest, it rarely is. Around here (Great Lakes), I’ve had luck getting a 45-day price hold from a local supplier without putting money down—just had to ask and be clear about my schedule. Not sure if that’s standard everywhere, but it saved me from babysitting a pallet of materials.
I get the hesitation with pre-paying, but honestly, locking in materials early saved me a headache last summer. Prices jumped twice in a month and the supplier couldn’t guarantee anything unless I put down a deposit. Sometimes it’s worth the risk if you’ve got a solid contractor lined up. The “just ask” approach didn’t fly here (SE Michigan)—maybe depends on the supplier’s mood or how busy they are.
- I get wanting to lock in prices, but pre-paying made me nervous. My neighbor got burned when their contractor bailed after a deposit—took months to sort out.
- For my CertainTeed quote (mid-Michigan), I asked for a breakdown: labor, materials, extras. Helped spot where they padded costs.
- Ended up paying a small deposit, but only after checking references and seeing the contract in writing.
- If you’re not in a rush, maybe wait for off-season? My quote dropped by 10% in late fall.
- Double-check warranty details—some contractors tried to skip the full manufacturer warranty unless I asked.
That’s smart getting a detailed breakdown—some of those “miscellaneous” fees can really add up if you’re not watching. I’m with you on the small deposit too. I almost got pressured into 50% up front once...no thanks. Waiting for off-season made a difference for me as well, though the timing can be tricky if your roof’s already leaking. Good call on the warranty—some contractors seem to hope you won’t notice the fine print.
