Many property owners are curious to know when to pay for a roofing project. Whether it’s minor roofing repairs or a whole roof replacement, you want to know that your money is well spent and that it’s a worthwhile investment. But what if your roofing contractor asks for a lump sum of money upfront? This can be nerve-racking, but it shouldn’t be. Many professional roofing companies ask for a down payment to commence work; companies like Roofing By Elite make sure clients are properly advised on their financing options before their project starts.
However, an obvious red flag is when a roofer asks for full payment in cash or via credit card before any work begins. In general, asking for more than 50 percent of the overall project cost should be a cause for concern. There are horror stories of roofers abandoning projects or doing mediocre work after receiving their money. Make sure you trust your roofer; you can earn peace of mind by asking them to give you a list of projects they have completed recently, how long they have been in business, and if they have a track record of customer satisfaction.
1. Keep an Eye Out for the Contract
Make sure your roofer gives you a roofing contract stating the exact details of your roofing project, such as the total price, time of completion, cost of materials, warranty information, etc. This ensures that your roofer is legitimate, and their down payment request will be considered reasonable. But keep in mind, if a roofer is asking you to pay for the project in full before any work begins, you should seek other roofers elsewhere.
2. Planning for a Down Payment
A down payment is an accepted and common business practice and should not be a cause for alarm as many transactions of this kind occur every single day. But keep in mind how you pay; it is advisable to always pay via check or credit instead of cash. Payments made in cash aren’t always reliable. On the contrary, paying with a paper check or credit will create a digitized transaction record. You can then use the record as a reference if disputes arise or when issues with your roof occur.
3. Don’t Pay All at Once
To reiterate once more, if your roofer is asking for an outrageous amount of cash upfront, run in the other direction. According to the Better Business Bureau, it’s important to discuss payment after selecting your roofing company. In addition, the full amount should not be paid until the job is completed to your satisfaction. It’s very risky to pay in cash and full upfront, there is the likelihood of your roofer doing a half-baked job, or they could drop the project for any reason and at any time while trying to justify it.
4. Continued Payment Options
Professional roofing companies offer flexible payment options to clients who seek to pay every month in the form of installments. The amount to be paid every month needs to be discussed with your roofer and should be clearly stated in your contract to avoid any misunderstanding. When you and your roofer agree on a timeline for payments, this holds both parties accountable in case of monetary or legal disputes.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
