how long should we honor price quotes?

It’s not always about pressuring you to sign, though it can feel that way. Sometimes it’s just them trying not to get burned if prices spike.

That’s a fair point. I’ve seen plenty of contractors get caught out by sudden material hikes, especially with roofing and concrete. It’s frustrating as a homeowner, but from their side, those short quote windows are often about risk management, not sales tactics. Still, I agree - if you’re upfront about your decision timeline, most will work with you. I’ve even had a few extend quotes when I asked for more time to review the scope or specs. Just be clear about what you need and don’t feel pressured by the clock.

I’ve had quotes expire on me because I took too long to decide - lesson learned. Now, I always ask up front how long the price is good for, and if I need more time, I just say so. Most folks are reasonable if you’re straight with them. It’s not always a sales ploy... sometimes they’re just as nervous about lumber prices as we are about leaks.

I hear you on the quotes expiring. I had a contractor bump up his price by 15% after just two weeks because he said his supplier jacked up shingle costs. I get that prices can change, but it still felt kinda sudden. Do you think it’s fair for them to shorten the window if stuff like lumber or shingles is really jumping around, or should they stick to what they quoted, no matter what?

Man, I get being at the mercy of the market, but if I got a quote, I kinda expect it to hold up for at least a month. Otherwise, what’s the point? I mean, my wallet doesn’t magically get 15% fatter in two weeks...

- Totally get where you’re coming from.
- Last time I replaced windows, the quote only held for 10 days - felt like a race against the clock.
- Honestly, a month seems fair unless there’s some wild price swing.
- Contractors gotta protect themselves, but yeah, our budgets don’t flex that fast either.
- Just wish more folks would be upfront about how long quotes last... avoids a lot of headaches.

- Ten days on a quote feels super rushed, yeah.
- Most places I’ve seen stick to 30 days, unless stuff like shingles or lumber goes nuts in price.
- Sometimes material suppliers only guarantee their prices for a week or two, so contractors kinda get boxed in.
- I’ve seen a few folks just write the expiration date right on the quote - makes it way less confusing.
- Honestly, I’d rather someone say “Hey, this is only good for two weeks” than have it change last minute.
- My buddy waited too long on his roof job and the price jumped by $800... not fun.
- If you’re not sure, just ask up front how long the quote’s good for. Saves a lot of back and forth.
- Feels like everyone’s just trying to cover themselves these days, but yeah, wish it was a bit more flexible sometimes.

I get the frustration with short quote windows, but I actually think ten days can be reasonable in some cases. Material costs have been all over the place lately - especially for things like lumber and insulation. If a supplier only locks in their price for a week, it’s risky for a contractor to guarantee 30 days.

“Feels like everyone’s just trying to cover themselves these days, but yeah, wish it was a bit more flexible sometimes.”

I hear you, but from my end, I’d rather have a shorter, realistic window than risk a surprise increase halfway through planning. It’s not ideal, but at least it’s predictable.

Ten days actually lines up with what I’ve seen lately, especially on bigger jobs where insulation or specialty materials are involved. I remember a project last year - quote was good for two weeks, but by day 12, the supplier called to say their cost had jumped. It was awkward, but at least we knew where we stood. I’d rather deal with a short window than have to explain a price hike to a client halfway through. Not perfect, but it keeps things transparent.

That’s pretty much how it’s been for me too - quotes just don’t last like they used to, especially after that big hailstorm last spring. I had a client lock in a price for 14 days, but by day 9, the cost of OSB jumped and we had to renegotiate. It’s awkward, but at least everyone’s on the same page. Curious if anyone’s tried locking in material orders right when quoting, or is that just too risky with storage and all?

Man, I totally get where you’re coming from. It’s wild how fast prices can swing now - feels like you blink and the numbers change. I’ve seen some crews try to pre-buy materials, but then they end up with a garage full of stuff if the job falls through or gets delayed. Not sure there’s a perfect answer, but sounds like you handled it pretty well with your client. At least everyone’s being upfront about it... that helps a ton when things get weird.

Yeah, I know what you mean about the pre-buying gamble. I’ve had a couple jobs where we stocked up on shingles, then the homeowner pushed things out for months - ended up storing pallets in my own garage. Do you usually put an expiration date on your quotes? I’ve started marking mine as good for 15-30 days, but sometimes folks come back after that and expect the same price... feels awkward trying to explain the increases. Curious if anyone’s found a smoother way to handle those conversations.

I’ve started marking mine as good for 15-30 days, but sometimes folks come back after that and expect the same price... feels awkward trying to explain the increases.

Yeah, I’ve run into that too. Had a customer last fall who waited almost two months, then wanted to lock in the original price - even though shingle costs had jumped. I try to be upfront in the quote about “subject to material price changes,” but it still gets weird. Sometimes I’ll show them the supplier’s updated invoice just to be transparent. Doesn’t always make it less awkward, but at least they see it’s not just me making up numbers.

I usually put “valid for 30 days” right on the quote, but honestly, even then it can get dicey if prices spike fast. Had a guy try to lock in a 3-month-old price - no way. I just point to the date and explain the market’s nuts lately. Most folks get it once they see the numbers.

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve had folks push back even on the 30-day window, especially when it’s something like a pre-listing inspection and their sale drags out. Sometimes I’ll honor the old price if it hasn’t changed much, just to keep goodwill - other times, not a chance if my costs have jumped. Do you ever worry about losing repeat business if you’re too strict? I always wonder where to draw that line...

Had a similar situation last year - buyer’s agent wanted me to stick to a 2-month-old quote for a radon test, but by then the lab fees had gone up. I tried to split the difference, but honestly, sometimes you just have to draw a line. It’s tough, though... repeat clients do remember when you cut them a break.

Had a buyer’s agent try to hold me to a 3-month-old inspection quote once - meanwhile, my insurance costs had jumped and I’d already updated my pricing everywhere else.

“sometimes you just have to draw a line”