24 hours feels like a flash sale, not a quote.
I get where you're coming from—24 hours is barely enough for folks to check their bank accounts, let alone make a decision on a new roof. Around here, I’ve seen material prices jump overnight, but even then, I usually give at least 48-72 hours unless there’s some crazy storm on the horizon. Does anyone actually put in writing how long their quote is good for? Or is it more of a handshake thing in your area? I’m always curious how others handle sudden price hikes when you’ve already quoted someone.
I’ve always put the expiration right on the quote—usually 48 hours, sometimes 72 if things are stable. It’s just too risky otherwise, especially with how wild material prices have been lately. I’ve had a few homeowners get annoyed, but when I explain that my supplier can change costs overnight, most folks get it. Handshake deals used to work around here, but after last year’s price spikes... not so much anymore. It feels awkward, but I’d rather be upfront than eat the loss or have an unhappy customer down the line.
I get where you’re coming from—honestly, I’ve had similar pushback when I started putting short timeframes on my inspection quotes. Folks sometimes expect prices to stay static, but with insurance rates and fuel costs jumping around, it’s just not realistic. I’d rather have a tough conversation upfront than try to explain a price hike after the fact. It’s not like the old days, that’s for sure.
Yeah, I totally get where you’re coming from on this. The days of a quote being “good forever” are long gone, at least in my experience. I remember a few years back when I was getting estimates for a new HVAC system—one company told me their quote would hold for 90 days, which sounded reasonable at the time. Fast forward to last year when I needed some roof repairs, and suddenly everyone’s quoting me 15 or 30 days, max. Even then, a couple guys were real clear that if material prices spiked, they’d have to rework it.
It makes sense when you think about how volatile things have gotten lately. I’ve seen plywood prices double and then drop again in the span of a few months. Same deal with shingles and even basic stuff like nails. Not to mention gas—if someone has to drive out here more than once, that adds up quick. It’s not just about materials either; labor costs keep creeping up too.
I do think being upfront about it is the way to go, though. I’d rather know from the start that the price might change if I wait too long, instead of getting blindsided later. That said, there’s a line—I’ve had a couple contractors try to pull a fast one by lowballing me with a “today only” price just to pressure me into signing. That always rubs me the wrong way.
Personally, when I’m doing my own projects, I try to lock in prices on big-ticket items as soon as I know what I need. Sometimes that means buying materials before I’m totally ready to start work, just so I don’t get hit with a surprise jump later. Not always ideal—my garage is basically a mini lumber yard right now—but it’s worked out so far.
It’s definitely not as simple as it used to be. Feels like you have to be part-time economist just to keep up with what things should cost these days...
“I’d rather know from the start that the price might change if I wait too long, instead of getting blindsided later. That said, there’s a line—I’ve had a couple contractors try to pull a fast one by lowballing me with a ‘today only’ price just to pressure me into signing. That always rubs me the wrong way.”
Couldn’t agree more about the “today only” tactic—feels like a used car lot, not a home project. I get that prices are all over the place these days (lumber, shingles, even insulation is nuts), but there’s got to be some middle ground between honoring a quote forever and pressuring people into snap decisions.
From what I’ve seen lately, 30 days is about as generous as it gets for most trades around here. Even then, half the time there’s fine print about “subject to material increases.” I don’t blame them entirely—last summer I watched OSB go from $20 to $60 a sheet in two months—but it does make planning tough for homeowners. You almost need to treat quotes like produce: buy it before it spoils.
One thing I wish more folks would do is break out labor and materials separately on their quotes. That way, if materials spike, at least you know what part of the cost is changing. Too many times I see lump sums and then get told “oh, sorry, price went up.” Makes it hard to trust anyone.
I will say, locking in big-ticket items early (like you mentioned) is smart if you’ve got the space and cash flow. My garage has turned into a graveyard for leftover tile and random boxes of nails because of that exact strategy... but at least I’m not scrambling when prices jump.
The other side of this is transparency. If contractors are upfront about how long their numbers are good for—and why—I’m way more likely to work with them again. But if they’re cagey or try to rush me? Hard pass.
Honestly, I think we’re all just trying to keep up with the chaos right now. There’s no perfect answer, but clear communication goes a long way. And maybe a little less pressure sales wouldn’t hurt either...
