"Sometimes they're rushing to meet demand and you end up with sheets that aren't exactly pristine...had a few warped ones myself."
Yeah, I've seen that happen quite a bit after storms—local yards get slammed and quality control takes a backseat. One thing I've found helpful is to actually call ahead and ask when their next shipment is coming in. If you can time it right, you might snag some better-quality sheets before they're picked over or rushed out the door.
Also, smaller regional manufacturers online are definitely worth checking out. I've had good experiences there too—consistent quality and fewer surprises. Another tip: if you're dealing with warped sheets, sometimes you can negotiate a discount. A buddy of mine did that last year after a big storm; he got slightly imperfect sheets for way cheaper and just used them on a shed where aesthetics weren't as critical. Worked out pretty well for him.
Anyway, good luck with your roofing project—hope you find some decent sheets without too much hassle.
Good points about timing shipments, but honestly, I've found even the smaller online places can be hit or miss after big storms. Had one order arrive with scratches all over...though they did make it right eventually. Ever tried salvage yards for roofing sheets? Curious if that's worth the hassle.
I've actually tried salvage yards once for roofing sheets, and it was an interesting experience. The upside is you can sometimes find really high-quality metal at significantly lower prices, especially if you're flexible about dimensions or colors. I managed to snag some heavy gauge sheets that were leftover from a commercial build—far sturdier than what I'd originally planned on ordering online.
The catch is, you do have to be prepared to spend a fair amount of time sorting through inventory. Condition varies widely, and it can be tricky finding enough matching sheets for larger projects. Also, be ready to deal with minor dents or cosmetic flaws. For my shed project it didn't matter much, but if you're aiming for something more polished like a main house roof, the extra prep work (cleaning, repainting, etc.) might offset your savings.
One thing I found helpful was calling ahead to see what they have in stock instead of just showing up blind. Some yards will even text you pictures or let you reserve materials for a short period. That definitely saves some hassle.
Has anyone here ever tried buying directly from local contractors who have leftover materials after big jobs? I've heard mixed things about availability and pricing, but never personally explored that route...
I've bought leftover sheets from contractors a couple times—honestly, it's hit or miss. Sometimes you score big with quality stuff dirt cheap, other times they're asking near retail prices. Worth a shot though, especially if you're not picky about color matching.
Yeah, contractor leftovers can be a gamble for sure. Last summer I snagged some sheets that were supposed to be "forest green," but let's just say they were more "swamp monster chic." Still, if you're flexible on aesthetics, it's a solid way to save cash. Personally, I'd rather have a mismatched roof that's eco-friendly and cheap than pay full price for perfect color coordination...but hey, that's just me.
