Negotiate payment terms for your next roofing project with confidence
If a roofer wants the total payment upfront, it is usually a scam.
Paying a percentage of the roofing cost as an upfront deposit is normal.
Only pay roofers with traceable payments, such as checks or credit cards.
A new roof can cost as much as $10,000 or more.
You have done your research, read reviews, and finally found the perfect roofer for your project, but now you are wondering when and how to pay for a new roof. Do you pay upfront, or are you supposed to pay in installments? Avoid any awkward negotiations with these tips.
If a roofer is asking you to pay for the project in full before the work begins, you should probably reach out to other roofers near you. Typically, reputable roofers will not ask for money before starting the project. You could find yourself out of a lot of money if the company drags its feet on completing the work.
Never pay for the project upfront.
Be especially wary of roofing contractors who demand a full payment in cash before starting the work.
Paying a deposit is standard.
Have a contract in place to protect both yourself and the roofing company.
It is not a scam for a roofing company to ask for a deposit upfront; however, it could be a scam if they ask for full payment. Roofing companies must purchase the parts of the roof to begin your job, so a deposit helps them with this step. Plus, it reassures them that you will pay the bill after they complete the roof.
The amount of deposit a roofing company asks for could also be a sign of a scam. Typically, any deposit over 50% is a scam and it is typically only larger jobs that require large deposits because of the cost of the materials to start the work.
In addition, how a roofing company asks for payment could be a sign of a scam. A large upfront deposit or insistence that you only pay in cash should be red flags. Reputable roofing companies accept checks and credit cards as a form of payment.
Knowing when you should pay a roofer is important. Typically, a roofing contractor will ask for a deposit, which can range from 10% to 30% of the project total. Larger roof projects often require a larger deposit, as do certain types of roofing materials. You could be asked to pay for the materials as a form of deposit. You will pay the deposit before the project begins and, once the work is complete, you will pay for the rest of the project.
You and your roofer should outline payment details and project timelines in a contract for mutual protection, so you are not left with a shoddy roof and your roofer is not left completing work without payment.
Only pay the roofing company after signing a contract. The contract should include all the details about the project, including start dates, materials required, and any guarantees provided. It should also clearly state the payment terms. Do not be afraid to negotiate the terms of the contract, including the amount of the deposit, to ensure you are in agreement.
Now that your roofer has completed the job, it’s time to pay them. There are a couple of reliable ways to pay a roofer—check or credit card. Never pay in cash.
Paying a roofing contractor in cash, even if it is your idea, is risky. You should only pay by check or credit card so you can cancel the payment should you discover it is a scam. There is little to no guarantee that you would get cash back if that is how they require payment.
Even if a roofing company offers a “cash discount,” avoid taking it. This might be their way of scamming you. They get you to pay cash upfront and then either do not complete the job, put you on hold for many months, or do shoddy work.
While it is not common practice for roofing jobs, paying in installments is not unheard of to cover the hefty roof replacement cost. You will need to discuss this option with your roofer, as some companies or contractors may not accept payment in installments. When you decide on a timeline for payments, you will need to include this in your contract to hold both parties accountable.
Many roofing companies take credit cards, though not all will. If you’re set on paying by credit card, ask potential roofing companies if they accept credit cards before signing a contract. A reliable alternative to paying by credit card is writing a check. Like a credit card transaction, you can usually void or cancel a check if you find out you’ve been scammed.
If you want to protect your investment in a new roof or roof work, you might consider purchasing separate payment insurance. This step can help recoup lost costs if the roofer abandons the project midway through after collecting your deposit or leaves you with a faulty roof.
A roofer will typically charge 10% to 30% of a project upfront. For large projects, like upgrading an entire roof, you may need to pay up to one-third of the project’s total cost in the beginning. Trustworthy companies will not ask you for more than that, and you should make these payments through a debit or credit card or a check, as these forms of payments are traceable, unlike cash.
Installing a roof is a dangerous job, so it is best to hire a roofer—especially for large jobs—rather than try to do the work yourself. There are several components to the cost of a roofer, from the size of the project to the materials to the cost of labor.
The average roofing project costs about $1,000.
Small repairs may cost $150 to $500.
Large projects like roof replacement cost more than $10,000.
Roofing labor costs about $50 to $75 per hour.
The type of roofing material can impact the cost as well. For example, fixing a composite roof may cost around $500, while repairs for slate or metal roofs can cost $1,500 to $2,000.
While there are some horror stories of roofers abandoning projects or doing shoddy work after getting their money, there are far more trustworthy roofers out there. You just have to know how to find them.
Word of mouth: Talk with neighbors, friends, and family members to get feedback on any roofing contractors they have worked with and liked in the past.
Online reviews: Search online to see what other people in your area are saying about their experience with local roofing companies.
References: Once you narrow your search to at least three promising roofers, ask each one for contacts. You will ask their references several questions, such as how they would describe communicating with the roofing contractor throughout the project, their satisfaction with the project, and how the timeline progressed.
Now that you know the expectations in terms of deposits, payment plans, and final payments for roofers, you can start working on a project contract with your selected roofing company. Be prepared to pay a 10% to 30% deposit, then pay off the rest of the work upon completion. Your new and improved roof awaits.
You can negotiate roofing payment terms with a contractor, but if you’re working with a reliable, trustworthy roofing contractor, the quote they gave you is probably fair. It’s often not worth haggling over the cost of the job unless you feel it is particularly unfair. If you do, get quotes from other roofing companies to compare prices.
It’s not customary or expected that you tip your roofer or their crew. It’s entirely up to you if you’d like to give them a little extra money for their work. One way you can show appreciation is by picking up coffee or breakfast for the crew. If you feel like they’re doing an exceptional job, tipping can be a nice gesture but don’t feel like you have to.
You should always plan and budget for potential unforeseen expenses or additional work during a roofing project. Sometimes, roofers find unexpected issues that need to be fixed after the initial quote—you should always be ready for that. However, be wary of roofing companies that spring numerous additional expenses that you believe they should have included in the quote—this can be a sign of a roofing scam.
