I Thought I Was Getting Good

mattp

I've been reading posts on here for awhile and am starting to feel good about my salesman skills. The other day I quoted a roof $50 more than a competitor and homeowner told me he was going to go with me because of my proposal and he had heard alot of good things about my company but wanted one more bid. I call him back the other day and this guy was 1,000 less then me on a $5,000 job. Is this possible?

send_it_all

If it's not possible, you are bidding too low. Let them have eachother. If price is the only thing the HO is worried about, you don't really want his business.

dougger222

Sure it's possible. The other bidder could be lacking a license and insurance. The other bidder could also be an owner operator who is hurting to put food on the table for his family.

Renegade

Sure it's possible, happens all the time. I've heard others call them jack-legs, around here we call them tail-gaters (they work from the back of their 1972 ford f100. Homeowner also gets their exclusive taillight warranty with the job.

Inexperienced low-ballers and tail-gaters have been the scourge of roofing and will continue to be. It's one of the many downsides we have to deal with.

Do yourself and everyone else in the industry a favor and don't get into the mix and start thinking you have to lower your price to get work. It is just a vicious cycle that kills hardworking roofers and only benefits HO's and customers. We work hard, we deserve to be compensated accordingly.

theroofinggod

only 1000$,that`s not too bad,seen worse from fully licensed and insured companies,but regardless,you get what you pay for,stress that and wow `em with your knowledge ,and attention to details

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roofwiz74

I know a gentleman that does work out of his old truck. been doing it 30yrs,one of the best trim carpenters around here.
I am a 3rd generation commercial flat/res. roofer that works out of of an old truck.I choose not to expand into a large company,buy an expensive truck.Hire a bunch of headaches.
The reason I am able to charge less is I don't need to pay for a new dump trailer,truck,tools,30 employess.
I do have insurance,even health.Do you offer your employess ins?
I've been certified by more roofing manufacturers than I care to list.How about you?
We?you got a club going on?I am a roofer and I worry about me and mine.I don't care if you get paid or not.To hell with the we.I always get screwed when we work together.
Sorry buts that how I do biz.I don't get along with most of my competitors.They expect to pay a exp.roofer $crap.00 an hour.Or ca-ca a sq.Then expect you to work with thier idiots,use their junk tools,argue about how it's supposed to be done.no thanks,when faced with the option of doing it for a little less or working for the comp.I'll do it for less.
Who would that make the harder working guy then,the contractor who runs a small biz and does it all and is happy with a little less?Or the "pro"who has 10 guys do it for him and calls me a jack leg?

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