You’re not crazy at all—honestly, I wish more people would push back on those “sign now or lose the deal” tactics. It’s your house and your money, and five days is still a tight window for something this big. I see folks rush into contracts all the time and regret it later, especially when they discover hidden damage or realize they didn’t compare materials. Contractors who give you space to think are the ones I tend to trust most. If prices are that volatile, maybe something’s off with the supply chain or their business model anyway. Take the time you need—sleeping under a solid roof matters way more than rushing into a bad deal.
Contractors who give you space to think are the ones I tend to trust most.
I’ve seen both sides—sometimes after a big hailstorm, prices on shingles can jump overnight if supply gets tight, but that’s rare. Most reputable guys I know will honor a quote for at least two weeks, sometimes longer. Five days feels rushed unless there’s a legit reason, like a sudden price hike from their supplier. Had one client who waited three weeks before signing and we still kept the price—better to have a happy customer than a quick sale that turns sour.
Five days feels rushed unless there’s a legit reason, like a sudden price hike from their supplier.
Totally agree on the five days thing feeling pushy. When I got quotes for my roof (asphalt shingles, Midwest, and apparently every squirrel in the neighborhood’s personal racetrack), most contractors gave me at least 10–14 days to make up my mind. One guy tried the “this price is only good until Friday!” routine and, honestly, it just made me suspicious. Like, are the shingles going to evaporate?
That said, after a storm rolled through last spring, I noticed prices did jump a bit. But even then, the folks I trusted were upfront about it—“If you wait, there’s a chance costs go up because everyone’s scrambling for materials.” Fair enough. But if someone’s pressuring you with a five-day limit in normal times? I’d take that as a red flag.
My approach: if they’re not willing to give you at least a week or two, keep shopping. Peace of mind is worth more than shaving off a couple days.
Five days always makes me raise an eyebrow, too. Unless there’s a supply crunch or some wild market swing, most reputable companies I know will honor a quote for at least 10 days—sometimes even 30, if things are stable. After last year’s hailstorm, I saw prices spike almost overnight, but contractors still gave fair warning. If someone’s pushing you to sign in under a week without a clear reason, that’s usually more about their sales strategy than real market forces. I’d want transparency, not pressure.
Had a similar thing happen when I was getting quotes for new windows last fall. One guy told me his price was only good for 48 hours, which felt off. The other two gave me two weeks, no problem. I get that prices can change, but unless there’s some crazy shortage, five days just seems like a tactic to rush you. I’d rather work with someone who’s upfront about why the quote might expire.