Roof Work Adds VALUE, not just COST
This page is the best resource for learning to identify what matters when selling a roof
Sell the Value
Use the roof project as an opportunity to include more value in the customers project
Get Accurate Bids
There are some things that can't be seen from satellite. Verifying these things up front will prevent change orders and headaches during the project.
Set Expectations
Set the right expectations about the scope of work and project timelines to ensure a great experience.
Use Support
We are here to help! Reach out to us for sales and project management support.
Selling
The
Value
How long does your client plan to be in their home?
If less than 5 years:
Having the roof done will prevent it from causing issues when the house is sold. An old roof coming up in the home inspection will often be a point of negotiation used by the buyer.
If more than 5 years:
They will need to have it replaced while they're in the house. They have 3 options:
Option 1: Wait
Wait a few years until the roof leaks and then get the roof replaced and go solar. They will miss out on current solar incentives and savings.
Option 2: Solar First
Find a solar company that will install on their roof. Get the roof replaced when it leaks in a few years. Pay $200/panel ($4,000 for average solar system) to have the solar removed and reinstalled.
Option 3: Replace Now (Best Option)
Replace roof now and go solar. Get immediate savings and current incentives. Never worry about replacing your roof while solar is on there. Take advantage of financing the roof with your solar project and an easy experience.
Value Props to Selling a Shingle Roof
- Cool Roof Requirements: In California, roof shingles are required to reflect solar radiation, keeping your house cooler and making the roof last longer.
- Ventilation Benefits: Getting your ventilation up to date will improve the efficiency of your home, prevent mold, and improve the performance and longevity of the roof.
- Long Warranties: Modern shingles have warranties of up to 50 years. See your bids for the warranty options.
- Protect Your Investment: Your roof is what protects your most important asset, your home! Have peace of mind getting it done right.
How BidList Helps
Get a Good Deal
We have an average of 5 roofers competitively bidding for your project. They see what other roofers charge and need to be competitive to win. When homeowners reach out to contractors that are in BidList directly, they frequently get higher prices than they would using BidList. Your clients don't need to shop, we've done that for them.
Call Us!
If you want to have a roof expert talk to your client to give them some confidence in the roof we're happy to do that. See the bottom of this page for contacts to call.
Avoiding Change Orders and Setting Expectations
Plywood Sheathing
Underneath every roof there is the roof deck, also called "sheathing" or "sheeting" (interchangeable). This deck can be made of either wood boards or plywood sheets (sometimes both). The key thing to look out for is a deck made of spaced out boards with big gaps in between them and no plywood (this is called skip-sheathing and it is NOT good).
A roof with skip-sheathing MUST have new plywood installed!
Installing plywood is expensive, so please ask your homeowner if they know the condition of their roof sheathing, or go take a look in their attic if possible. If you can't get that information, it is IMPERATIVE that you set the proper expectations with the homeowner about plywood and make sure they understand that is a significant added cost if it needs to be added into the scope of work later.
Watch this short video to learn moreHere are some examples of what you might see in the attic:
Skip sheathing with wood shakes
Skip sheathing with paper
Skip sheathing with plywood
Plywood sheathing
Layers
Another common situation is having multiple layers on the roof. Sometimes homeowners will have a new layer of shingles installed directly on top of their old roof. When there are multiple layers, the cost to remove the old roof goes up, so it is best to know that information before we generate bids.
Here's a short video on how to check for layersAs with plywood sheathing, the important thing with layers is setting the right expectations with homeowners about additional costs. If they do not know how many layers are on their roof, just make sure that they understand that any additional layers of removal will be extra (the cost per layer should be listed in the disclaimers at the top of the bid).
Here are some examples of what you might see on the roof:
1 layer of shingles
This is one layer of shingles. The black layer is 'Starter Strip', which is just part of the shingle roofing system.
2 layers of shingles
This is what 2 layers of shingles might look like.
3 layer shingles
This is a roof with 3 separate layers of shingles.
Shakes under shingles
This is what wood shakes underneath shingles looks like. Be careful not to mistake this for sheathing.
Dry Rot
The last thing that can cause issues on jobs is dry rot/wood damage. On many roofs, there will be a bit of damaged wood that needs to be replaced. This is usually caused by fungus that grows where there is poor ventilation and moisture gets trapped. Any damaged wood needs to be replaced before the roof will pass inspection, so this is non-negotiable. The only problem is that the amount of damage cannot be assessed before the project begins because it is all hidden away under the roof. Only after the old roof is torn off will we know how much the repairs will cost. The roofer will take photos of the damage, and will only charge the cost to buy the new wood and install it, but it is your responsibility to make sure that the homeowner knows about the possibility of dry rot and is not surprised when it comes up on their project.
Putting it all together
Now that you understand the situation with plywood, layers, and dry rot, you can inform your homeowner about the possibilities for their project to make sure they understand what can come up during the job.
Setting the proper expectations prevents headaches during the project, and makes for a much better customer experience.
Being up front and honest with your homeowner is the best way to garner a homeowner's trust, and ensure that they will give you referrals.
Reach out to BidList if you need help explaining this to your homeowner.
Note: Disclaimers for these items will be listed at the top of each bid. If you don't see a disclaimer, that means we have all the correct information. Nevertheless, it is mandatory to discuss these potential costs with homeowners and make sure the proper expectations are set.
Selecting the Roof Material
Special Note on Concrete Tiles
- •Concrete tiles cannot be installed on a roof that was not built to support their weight (there are special lightweight tiles that can be used in their place, but those must be "Picture Framed").
- •Many concrete tile roofs do not need to be fully replaced, they just need their underlayment to be replaced. Select "Lift and Replace Felt" in the form when requesting for tile roof work.
- •Tile roofs that are too fragile for solar to be installed on will need a "Picture Frame", which is when a layer of asphalt shingles are installed underneath the tiles so that solar panels can be mounted on that. This allows solar installers to avoid breaking the fragile tiles during their installation, while maintaining the aesthetics of the original tile roof.
Using BidList Support
Please reach out to our team if you have any questions at all: