Had a similar experience last summer when we redid our deck. Contractor quoted us a price, but lumber costs shot up literally days later. He honored the original quote, which was great for us, but I felt pretty bad knowing he took a hit. Honestly, I'd rather have a disclaimer upfront about potential price changes—it's fairer for everyone involved and avoids awkwardness later on. Transparency just makes sense, especially with how unpredictable things are these days...
"Honestly, I'd rather have a disclaimer upfront about potential price changes—it's fairer for everyone involved and avoids awkwardness later on."
Yeah, agreed. I'd rather know upfront if the quote might shift. Curious though, what's a reasonable timeframe to lock in a quote these days—two weeks, a month...?
In my experience, it really depends on the materials involved. Last year, I quoted a roof replacement for a customer and gave them a 30-day lock-in period. Seemed reasonable at the time, but then we had that crazy spike in asphalt shingle prices—remember that? By week three, my supplier was already nudging prices upward, and by the end of the month, I was barely breaking even. Lesson learned.
Nowadays, I usually stick to around two weeks for standard roofing materials like shingles or metal panels. For specialty items or imported stuff, even two weeks can feel risky. If it's something custom or special order, I'll usually put a disclaimer right on the quote that pricing is subject to change based on supplier availability.
Honestly though, communication is key. Most customers appreciate transparency—if you explain why prices might fluctuate (supply chain issues, seasonal demand spikes), they're usually pretty understanding.
Totally get your point about transparency. Recently had my deck redone, and the contractor explained upfront about lumber price swings—made me feel way more comfortable knowing what to expect. Customers do appreciate honesty, even if it's not ideal news.
Had a similar thing happen when we did our green roof—plants and soil prices went nuts right after the quote. Contractor was upfront, but man, watching moss prices spike felt weirdly personal... Ever seen moss inflation before? 😂
