Even the 30-day quotes are more like “30 days unless…” these days.
That’s been my experience too, especially since material prices started fluctuating so much. I’ve seen suppliers change their numbers overnight, and it puts everyone in a tough spot. We used to honor quotes for 60 days, no problem, but now I’m hesitant to go past 15-20 days unless I can lock in materials with a deposit.
One thing I’d add—sometimes those “unforeseen material increases” clauses are worded so vaguely that it’s hard to know what actually triggers them. I always recommend clients ask for specifics: is it just shingles, or does it include underlayment, fasteners, etc.? And if there’s a cap, get it in writing. I’ve had a couple jobs where the increase was capped at 10%, which felt fair to both sides.
It’s not ideal, but with the way things are, I’d rather be upfront about the risks than get caught in a bind later. Transparency goes a long way, even if it means some awkward conversations up front.
Yeah, I hear you on the vague “unless” language. I’ve had a couple clients get frustrated when the price jumped mid-project, even though it was all in the fine print. I try to spell it out now—like, “if shingles go up more than 5% before we order, we’ll have to adjust.” Still, it’s awkward, especially when folks are used to the old days where a quote was a quote.
I’m curious how folks are handling deposits lately. I’ve started asking for enough up front to at least cover the materials, so I can lock in the price with my supplier. It’s not always easy—some homeowners get nervous about putting down that much before work starts. But with how fast prices can change, I don’t see another way to protect both sides.
Also, has anyone run into issues with insurance claims and fluctuating prices? I had a hail job last month where the insurance payout didn’t match the new shingle cost, and the homeowner was stuck in the middle. We ended up splitting the difference just to get the job done, but it wasn’t ideal.
I do wonder if there’s a better way to word those escalation clauses so everyone’s clear. I’ve seen some contracts that list out every material and tie increases to a specific supplier’s published price list. Seems like overkill, but maybe that’s where things are headed.
How are you all balancing being fair to the customer and not getting burned yourself? I feel like there’s no perfect answer right now, just trying to keep it as transparent as possible.
I get twitchy every time I see “unless material costs increase” in a contract. Feels like playing roulette with my wallet. Last year, I had a roofer try to bump the price after we’d already shaken hands—said his supplier’s price “went up overnight.” Maybe it did, maybe it didn’t, but as a homeowner, it’s hard to know what’s legit and what’s just padding. I’d rather pay a bigger deposit if it means the quote actually sticks. Just wish there was a way to make it less of a leap of faith on both sides...
- Totally get the anxiety. I had a siding guy do the same thing—came back a week later saying his costs “jumped” and wanted another $800.
- I’d rather have a firm price, even if it’s a bit higher up front. At least then I know what I’m in for.
- The “unless material costs increase” line feels like a loophole. How are we supposed to verify if it’s real or just an excuse?
- Honestly, I’d be fine with a 30-day window on quotes, but after that, just re-quote instead of sneaking in extra charges mid-job.
- Wish there was more transparency... or at least some kind of receipt from their supplier to back up the price hike.
That “unless material costs increase” thing bugs me too. I get that prices can change, but it feels like there’s no way to check if it’s legit or just padding the bill. When we got our gutters done, the quote was only good for two weeks, which seemed fair—at least I knew the window. I’d rather pay a little more up front than deal with surprise charges halfway through. It’s stressful enough just picking someone you trust...
