Estimates

Estimate”, Webster defines it as an approximate computation of the probable cost of a piece of work, made by a person undertaking to do the work.

Recently on a job we are doing, we had to replace the roof. It has lived out its life and frankly, should have been replaced years ago. For whatever reason, probably a lack of money, the former owner of the property neglected their responsibilities and choose to live with leakage.

The first estimate seemed high for the number of square feet the job required. After asking around as to who others had used in the past, we set out to get four estimates from four different Michigan roofing contractors. We gave each contractor the same requirements as to the shingles and the work required. All seemed eager to do the work. We received four very different estimates. The low estimate was $4,700 and the highest was $9,950. The two in the middle were $7,000 and $7,500.

You might be thinking take the low estimate and run with it right? That’s not what we did. We took the next one higher. The reason is when we counted the costs of shingles, plywood, nails, drip edge and other items including the dumpster, was there was no way he could have done the job for that price. The materials came to more than that. Taking that quote would have been future trouble for the home owner.

Always get several estimates. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is too good to be true!