I get what you mean about sticking to the quoted price if the contract’s silent, but sometimes that can be rough for both sides. Like, last month, we had a job where the shingle price jumped 18% in two weeks.
That’s fair, but maybe it’s worth including a clause for material volatility, just to keep things balanced. Otherwise, someone’s eating a big loss.“If the contract doesn’t mention price changes, I’d expect the number to stick.”
Had a similar headache this spring—our siding contractor quoted us in February, but by the time the job started in late March, lumber had shot up. I get the argument for sticking to the original number if nothing’s spelled out, but honestly, it feels like a gamble for both sides. If prices drop, the owner gets a deal; if they spike, the contractor eats it. Nobody’s really winning in that setup.
We’ve started pushing for escalation clauses tied to published price indices—basically, if materials go up or down by more than a certain percent between quote and install, we split the difference or at least revisit the numbers. It’s not perfect, but it saves everyone from those “surprise” conversations that can get heated fast. The downside is it adds some complexity to contracts, and explaining it to owners who just want a fixed number can be tricky.
I’m curious if folks have found any middle ground that doesn’t bog things down with legalese but still gives both parties some protection. Is there such a thing as a “good faith” adjustment policy that actually works? Or is this just one of those necessary evils of construction where someone always has to take the hit?
It’s tough because from a budgeting perspective, I really need numbers I can rely on. But after seeing how fast things can change (and how ugly those conversations get when someone’s absorbing thousands in losses), I don’t think the old way works anymore... especially with how volatile materials are lately. Maybe there’s something in between pure fixed price and open-ended cost-plus that isn’t just wishful thinking?
It’s tough because from a budgeting perspective, I really need numbers I can rely on. But after seeing how fast things can change (and how ugly those conversations get when someone’s absorbing thousands in losses), I don’t think the old way works anymore...
I’m right there with you—when we did our windows last year, the quote was only good for 30 days, and even then the supplier warned us prices could shift. We ended up signing fast just to lock it in, but it felt rushed. I like the idea of escalation clauses, but honestly, trying to explain that to my partner was a headache. There’s got to be a simpler way, maybe just a set “review window” if prices move more than 5%? Not perfect, but at least it’s predictable.
There’s got to be a simpler way, maybe just a set “review window” if prices move more than 5%? Not perfect, but at least it’s predictable.
I get that. When I replaced my siding, the quote was only good for two weeks. It felt like a race—like, decide now or risk paying more. I actually pushed back and asked for a clause where if materials went up more than 3%, we’d revisit. It made things a little less stressful, but explaining it to my spouse was a whole other project. Honestly, I’d rather just see a “locked price” for a month and after that, a clear update if things change. Not perfect, but at least you know what you’re signing up for.
I’ve run into this too—felt like buying concert tickets, not getting a roof. My neighbor across the street got a quote last year that was good for 30 days, but by the time he decided (day 29, naturally), the supplier had jacked up shingle prices and the contractor came back asking for more. He was ticked off, but I kind of get both sides. Stuff moves fast, especially lately.
I’m with you, though—a set review window or a clear “locked price” would save everyone headaches. The weird part is, sometimes you ask for a longer lock and some companies just won’t budge. I had one guy tell me, “If you want a longer quote, I gotta build in extra for risk.” At that point, it’s like... am I paying more just for peace of mind? Not sure there’s a perfect answer, but at least being up front about how long the quote’s good for feels fair. Otherwise it’s just stressful for no reason.
