how long should we honor price quotes?

The only workaround I’ve found is ordering as soon as the job’s signed, but that doesn’t always fit the schedule.

That’s been a sticking point for me too. I tried pre-buying a batch of shingles once, thinking I was being clever, but then the job got delayed and I had to shuffle stuff around my garage for weeks. Not ideal. The 5% clause in your quotes is smart - most people get it when you lay out how unpredictable things are now. It’s tough to balance being fair to customers and not getting burned yourself.

That 5% clause is a good move, honestly. I’ve seen a lot of guys get burned trying to stick to old quotes, especially with how wild material costs have been lately. It’s not just shingles, either - lumber, flashing, even nails seem to jump in price every time I blink. Pre-buying sounds smart until you’re tripping over pallets in your garage for a month... been there, done that, and my back still remembers.

I get wanting to be fair to folks, but at some point you’ve gotta protect yourself too. Most homeowners I run into are pretty reasonable when you explain why prices can change. The ones who aren’t, well, they’re probably going to be tough no matter what. I usually tell people my quotes are good for 30 days, but even then I add a little wiggle room for “market adjustments.” Not perfect, but it’s better than eating the cost.

Hang in there. It’s a juggling act, but you’re not alone.

- Totally agree on the 5% clause - wish I’d thought of that before my last siding project.
- Material prices are all over the place. I priced out Hardie board in March, waited a month, and it jumped 8%.
- I usually ask for quotes in writing and double-check if there’s a time limit or escalation clause. Some contractors are upfront, others not so much.
- Pre-buying is tempting, but storage is a pain. Had a stack of OSB in my basement for weeks... wife was not thrilled.
- 30 days seems fair, but I’d push for clear language about what happens if prices spike mid-project. Learned that the hard way.
- At the end of the day, I’d rather pay a little more than have a job stall out because materials ran out or costs went nuts.

Had a similar situation last year - quoted a roof job in April, and by the time the homeowner decided in June, shingles had jumped almost 10%. Do you guys ever lock in material orders right after a signed contract, or is that just not practical for most projects? I always wonder if it’s worth the risk of early ordering versus waiting and hoping prices hold.

Do you guys ever lock in material orders right after a signed contract, or is that just not practical for most projects?

- I’ve run into this exact issue as a homeowner. Got a quote for architectural shingles in early spring, waited a month to decide, and the price jumped by $600. Not fun.
- From my side, I’d *love* if contractors could lock in material costs right after the contract’s signed. But I get that it’s not always realistic - especially for bigger jobs or if there’s a backlog.
- Early ordering seems smart for smaller projects or when you know the start date won’t move. For bigger roofs or if there’s a chance of delays (weather, permits, etc.), it feels risky to have materials sitting around or possibly getting damaged.
- I’ve asked a couple of roofers about this. One said he’ll honor a quote for 30 days max, then has to reprice. Another said he’ll order materials as soon as I put down a deposit, but only if we have a firm install date.
- As a homeowner, I’d rather pay a small “price lock” fee than gamble on market swings. But I know not everyone wants to do that.
- The price volatility lately is wild. Last summer, my neighbor’s metal roof quote went up 15% in two months. He ended up switching to asphalt just to keep it affordable.
- If you’re in an area with lots of storms or supply chain issues (I’m in the Midwest - hail central), prices can spike overnight. That makes it even trickier to plan.

I guess there’s no perfect answer. For me, clear communication about how long the quote is good for and what happens if prices change is key. I’d rather know up front than get surprised halfway through.

Honestly, I see both sides here. As someone who’s poked around more than a few job sites, I get why homeowners want price certainty, but I’ve also seen contractors burned by sudden hikes. One thing that gets overlooked is storage - ordering materials early sounds good, but where do you keep a pallet of shingles or a stack of OSB for weeks? I’ve seen jobs go sideways because materials warped or got stolen sitting on-site too long.

I’m curious how folks handle it when a project drags out - say, permits get delayed or weather pushes things back. Does the contractor eat the extra cost, or do they pass it on? Personally, I’d rather see a clear escalation clause in the contract. Something like, “If materials go up more than X% after Y days, here’s what happens.” That way, everyone knows the risks upfront.

Has anyone actually had a contractor honor an old quote even when prices spiked? Or is that just wishful thinking these days?

Personally, I’d rather see a clear escalation clause in the contract. Something like, “If materials go up more than X% after Y days, here’s what happens.” That way, everyone knows the risks upfront.

Couldn’t agree more with this. I’ve been burned by “ballpark” quotes that magically ballooned halfway through because of “market changes.” At this point, if the contract doesn’t spell out what happens with price hikes, I walk. I get that contractors can’t predict the future, but homeowners shouldn’t be left holding the bag every time there’s a hiccup with permits or weather.

Storage is a real issue too - had a buddy who lost half his siding to theft while waiting for an inspector. Not fun. Honestly, I’ve only had one contractor stick to their original number when prices jumped, and that was a small job. Most just pass it along or try to split the difference. It’s not wishful thinking, but it’s rare these days. If both sides are honest about risks and put it in writing, at least you know what you’re signing up for. Otherwise, you’re just rolling the dice.

If both sides are honest about risks and put it in writing, at least you know what you’re signing up for. Otherwise, you’re just rolling the dice.

That’s exactly it. I’ve had contractors try to guilt me into “sharing” surprise costs, but why should homeowners carry all the risk? If prices are volatile, fine - just spell out how it’ll work. I’d rather have a contract with clear numbers (even if it’s a bit higher) than get blindsided halfway through.

I’d rather have a contract with clear numbers (even if it’s a bit higher) than get blindsided halfway through.

Totally get where you’re coming from. I always wonder, if we agree to a price, shouldn’t that be the price unless something major changes? I mean, isn’t that the whole point of a contract? I’ve had bids go up “because of materials” but then found out prices hadn’t really changed much. Is it normal for homeowners to push back on this, or do most people just eat the extra cost?

I’ve definitely pushed back when a contractor tried to bump up the price mid-job. One time, the guy said lumber costs had “skyrocketed,” but I’d literally just bought some for my own project and knew he was stretching it. I think a lot of folks just pay it because they don’t want the hassle, but if it’s not in the contract and there’s no real change, I’ll call it out. It’s awkward, but I’d rather have that than feel ripped off.

if it’s not in the contract and there’s no real change, I’ll call it out. It’s awkward, but I’d rather have that than feel ripped off.

Same here. If the quote’s in writing, I expect it to stick unless something major changes. I had a plumber try to tack on “unexpected labor” after the fact - no way. If it’s not in the contract, I’m not paying extra. It’s uncomfortable, but I’d rather deal with that than just hand over more money for nothing.

I’ve run into this a few times on the job. Once, I had a contractor try to add a “travel fee” after we’d already agreed on everything in writing - never mentioned it before, and the job was right in town. I pushed back and they dropped it, but it was awkward. Still, I’d rather have that uncomfortable conversation than just eat the extra cost.

I get that sometimes things genuinely change - like if they open up a wall and find something nobody could’ve predicted. But if it’s just tacking on vague “labor” or “fees” after the fact, that’s not cool. Having everything spelled out in the contract protects everyone. If there’s a real reason for a price change, it should be discussed before the work gets done, not after.

Honestly, I think a lot of people just hope you won’t notice or will feel too uncomfortable to argue. It’s not fun, but standing your ground is usually worth it in the end.

- Totally agree about spelling everything out up front. I’ve had a plumber try to charge a “disposal fee” for old pipes after the fact - never mentioned in the quote, and it was just a couple of rusty pieces.
- If something legit changes, like finding rot or bad wiring, I get it. But random fees? Nah.
- I usually ask how long their quote is good for before signing. Most seem to say 30 days, but if they’re wishy-washy, that’s a red flag for me.
- It’s awkward pushing back, but honestly, I’d rather deal with that than feel ripped off later.
- Sometimes I wonder if they just hope you won’t notice those little add-ons...

- Had a similar experience - HVAC guy tried to tack on a “shop supplies” fee. What, for the rag he wiped his hands with?
- I always ask for itemized quotes and get it in writing. If they can’t commit to 30 days, I start looking elsewhere.
- Sometimes those little fees sneak in... I think some folks hope you’re too distracted by the big numbers to notice.
- Not a fan of surprises unless it’s free dessert, honestly.

Thirty days is pretty standard in my experience, especially for storm damage work or anything where materials can fluctuate. If a contractor won’t put a quote in writing for at least that long, I’d be wary. I’ve seen some try to sneak in “market adjustment” fees after the fact, blaming supply chain issues or whatever’s in the news that week. Sometimes it’s legit, but more often it’s just padding.

I get why some folks want shorter windows - prices on shingles and lumber have been all over the place the last couple years. But if they’re not willing to lock in for 30 days, it usually means they’re either not confident in their numbers or they’re hoping you’ll just accept whatever new price they throw at you when it’s time to sign.

Had a client last spring who got a quote for a roof replacement, waited a week, then suddenly the price jumped by $1,200 for “fuel surcharges.” No explanation, just a new line item. That’s the kind of thing that makes people lose trust in the whole process.

If you’re dealing with insurance claims, it gets even trickier. Sometimes adjusters drag their feet and by the time you get approval, the quote’s expired. I always tell people to get everything in writing, including how long the quote is good for and what happens if prices change before work starts. If a contractor won’t spell that out, I move on.

Bottom line: 30 days is fair for both sides. Anything less, and you’re probably looking at headaches down the road. And yeah, those “shop supplies” fees drive me nuts too... unless they’re bringing me lunch, I’m not paying extra for paper towels.

I usually insist on a written quote with a clear expiration date, but I’ll admit I’ve had a contractor try to change the price on me last minute - said it was because lumber went up, but when I checked, prices hadn’t budged much. Now I always ask them to break down what’s fixed and what might change, especially for bigger projects. Curious - has anyone had luck getting a contractor to honor an expired quote if you call them out on it?

- Definitely had this happen - contractor tried to bump up the price after the quote “expired,” but nothing had changed except their schedule got busy.
- I pushed back with the original paperwork and pointed out the market prices hadn’t moved. They grumbled but stuck to the old number, probably because I was polite but firm.
- I’ve noticed if you’re organized (emails, written quotes, even a quick photo of their estimate), it’s a lot harder for them to wiggle out of it.
- One thing I learned: if the quote has an expiration date, they technically don’t have to honor it after, but if you’re reasonable and the market hasn’t shifted, most will work with you - especially if they want the job.
- I do think it’s fair for them to protect themselves if materials actually spike, but sometimes it just feels like an excuse.
- Now, I always ask what’s “locked in” and what could change, especially for stuff like lumber or roofing materials. Surprising how many contractors will clarify if you just ask up front...
- Not sure there’s a perfect answer, but being a bit pushy (in a nice way) seems to help.

I pushed back with the original paperwork and pointed out the market prices hadn’t moved. They grumbled but stuck to the old number, probably because I was polite but firm.

Honestly, you handled that exactly right. Most contractors respect it when folks come prepared and don’t just accept a sudden price jump. I’ll admit, sometimes we do put expiration dates on quotes because material costs can be wild, but if nothing’s changed, I think sticking to the original number is fair. Love that you ask what’s locked in - makes everything clearer for both sides.

I’ve had quotes “expire” on me before, but when I asked for proof that materials went up, half the time they couldn’t show anything. Feels like a test to see if you’ll just cave. Why not build in a clear window - 30 days, 60 days? Otherwise it starts feeling like a moving target.

I've run into this too, especially with HVAC and roofing bids. One time, a vendor tried to bump the price after just two weeks, claiming “market volatility.” I asked for supplier invoices - crickets. I’ve started insisting on 30-day windows in contracts. It’s fair for both sides, and at least you know where you stand. Otherwise, it really does feel like they’re just fishing to see if you’ll pay more.