Roofers - a rant, but not a very good one

Jeepers, what an independent lot roofers are.  We called two, left messages, and waited better than a week for them to call back.  Called again - one being the son of an old acquaintance, so called him as well, and still the roofer kid didn't call back.  Neither of them.

Maybe I better go back to the beginning?  We're not desperate for a new roof, but wind caused a few shingles to disappear, and it is high time we updated.  We decided to go w/a metal roof this time, and that's what the 2 roofers we called specialize in.  

Okay, so we gave up on them, and Mr. 2 went to Meeks for recommendations, where he ran into a roofer who was in the #1 slot on their list. After talking a bit, and the guy pointing out what shingles they use, (@ $105/sq.), (yes, he talked my husband into going w/shingles), they parted ways, and we waited over a week, again, for that guy to call back.  
They finally show up, were kind enough to sweep off the roof while up there, and we wait for the wife to call, then email the estimate.  Over $11,000!  For a 22 sq. ft. roof!  Not only did they charge for 24 sq. ft., they charged $150/sq.  Plus, they added all kinds of crap we didn't need.  I suppose they figured they were dealing w/a couple of hicks still sopping wet behind the ears.  
Sent that guy on his way.

Then a good friend suggested my husband call this other guy we've all known for ages.  He came over the very next day, (yesterday), w/his kid who does the actual roofing, and are going to come back asap w/color samples for us to choose a color.

Splendid!  These guys are covered up with work, so are going way out of their way to get a roof on our house.  Yeah, you can bet there's a bonus already waiting on them.  Oh, and the bid?  Somewhere around $5 - $6,000.  (Haven't gotten a specific bid yet.)  IAC, MUCH closer to what it ought to be.  

I realize that these roofers are busier than one-armed paper hangers, but what's with businessmen who can't even be bothered w/calling prospective customers back?  Must be nice to be so independent and secure.  No doubt it buys you all the rude you can be.  

Ahhh.  Thank you.  We're much better n-o-w.  lol

i will be more than happy to strip and then reshingle your roof. you haul away though. $18/hr

jirqoadai wrote:i will be more than happy to strip and then reshingle your roof. you haul away though. $18/hr

Aw, if you aren't just the biggest darling. Thank you. But, like I said, we've found someone. Oh. And I forgot - is going to put on metal like we first wanted. The shingles stay. Will help insulate.

Still, thanks again for such a precious offer.

before you get in a pinch, or as you decend into one, im available at that rate. i used to do wood shake 70 hrs a week. i hope you are satisfied with your metal roof. ( ive done metal roofs too. )

jirqoadai wrote:before you get in a pinch, or as you decend into one, im available at that rate. i used to do wood shake 70 hrs a week. i hope you are satisfied with your metal roof. ( ive done metal roofs too. )

You are a kind man, jirq. You remind me of a quiet acquaintance I met along the way. Didn't say much, shared the world with a simple expression.

You won't know yourselves with a new colored metal roof. It'll be like you're in a different home!

They're popular here on rural homes for water catchment.

I thought about a colored roof, but I'm leaning toward white to help with the Texas heat.

Crusader wrote:I thought about a colored roof, but I'm leaning toward white to help with the Texas heat.

I've never seen a white one.  

Having had a couple all I can say is that they need to be very well insulated for both sound and heat/cold.  If that's done they are great and you'll have no problem with the heat or the cold .  There's nothing like listening to the rain coming down on a colourbond (that's what we call them) roof in front of a nice warm fire when it's cold and there's nothing like drinking 'real' water.

Red Lily wrote:

Crusader wrote:I thought about a colored roof, but I'm leaning toward white to help with the Texas heat.

I've never seen a white one.  

Having had a couple all I can say is that they need to be very well insulated for both sound and heat/cold.  If that's done they are great and you'll have no problem with the heat or the cold .  There's nothing like listening to the rain coming down on a colourbond (that's what we call them) roof in front of a nice warm fire when it's cold and there's nothing like drinking 'real' water.

Hawk likes to hear that rain on a tin roof. Makes him smooth and also makes him sleep good.

HawkTheSlayer wrote:

Red Lily wrote:

Crusader wrote:I thought about a colored roof, but I'm leaning toward white to help with the Texas heat.

I've never seen a white one.  

Having had a couple all I can say is that they need to be very well insulated for both sound and heat/cold.  If that's done they are great and you'll have no problem with the heat or the cold .  There's nothing like listening to the rain coming down on a colourbond (that's what we call them) roof in front of a nice warm fire when it's cold and there's nothing like drinking 'real' water.

Hawk likes to hear that rain on a tin roof. Makes him smooth and also makes him sleep good.

It is very relaxing.