Tired of homeowners that want to use my time

Just got off the phone with a HO that has mold in the attic. ServiceMaster is going to remove the mold but they want a roofer to come out and tell them that the plywood is still good. He seemed surprised that I didn't want to do this service for free. I told him that I would deduct the charge from any work that we did but that for something like this there is a charge. "Oh, well, I might call you back"

Gee, I can't wait, I'll hold my breath. I have nothing better to do than to climb up in your attic and check your plywood. Roof done 6 years ago on a hail claim. I should have asked why he didn't call them out to look at it. Unfortunately I didn't think of that til I hung up.

People are aggravating! Happens way too often.

I just got a call today from a realtor to say that my $2,400 repair to a 15sq four year old 4/12 basic roof was approved.

And to think, I almost said some dirty words about them guys earlier in this post. Glad I kept those thoughts to myself.

wywoody Said: Ive actually had other roofers that are trying to do tile for the first time call me and want me to help them do it right so I can protect reputation of my product, /quote]

Sounds like a threat!

How about customers that want to know what you are going to do so they can do the repair themselves? I was naïve and would tell them what I was going to do in detail, figuring that they wouldn't do it, to help my sale. Now when they ask I simply say that I will fix the leak with my years of experience and knowledge AND give them a guarantee. If the probe goes on then I know they are trying to use me and I start my exit strategy. "I gotta go", usually works fine. :P

I've actually had other roofers that are trying to do tile for the first time call me and want me to help them "do it right so I can protect reputation of my product", No thanks, I'll wait for the repair.

Seen-it-all, That's comical. Wanting to use your equiptment to do their roof. I have told people before that if they buy a tearoff bar at the store that I will buy it from them when they are done with it. Not full price but at least they can get something for it, as long as it's a good bar.

Todays episode. A realtor called a week ago for an inspection. Quoted her $125. I've done these for her before. She calls Monday to say just go down there and take care of the problems and send the bill. When I get there it's got numerous problems that sure cannot be fixed in a day. 2 bad modified jobs and bad wall flashings among other things. So I am back to square one. Charge for the estimate and give them a credit for the inspection if we do the work. Of course the cost will be adjusted to make up for my time after the deduction. If we ever do the work.

Nothing is free anymore. Estimates cost $25.00 and up. I get $325.00 if I travel 50 miles or more. In-town fee, and partial out of town fees go towards any work done. Inspections cost $365.00 and up. If you're signing off on a roof, you need to charge for it.

Seen it all they were going to pass your name onto more do it yourselfers maybe even put you on a do it yourself website as a great place to get free tools and roofing advice! LOL

Got a call last night 8:00 I need an estimate on a house im thinking about buying and I stated I charge for the estimate if you don't own the property. How much 50 dollars oh I will call you back! Im not interested in giving quotes for nothing I really don't have time for these was happy to get hung up on.

Happened to me yesterday first thing in the morning. I was given the lead from the secretary, aka wife, :laugh: saying the lead was hot. When I arrived and got out of the truck, the wind was blowing 35 mph and almost took the door off the hinges. A cold chill ran from my head to my toes and when I spoke to the potential client, I found out she only wanted an inspection of the roof because they were doing some interior remodeling and just wanted to be sure everything was alright up there! Of course they wanted this service for free! I went there under the impression they had already decided to get a roof and shown interest in my company. :unsure:

Yea, like the weekend warriors doing their own roof and call you wanting to borrow tarps because they tore everything off and it is raining.

I've had them call wanting to borrow tear off shovels and ladders. They are offended when you say no. I had one woman tell me I was unreasonable and that it would be good for public relations if I loaned out my ladders.

I've had them call wanting me to come out and show them how to do a valley. When I quoted them $50.00 per hour, they were shocked. They said that if I came out for free they would pass my name on. Yea, good deal.

We are the only ones that can set limits! If you give it away, I guess that is what it is worth.

Great topic! We get calls weekly from realtors,homebuyers and home sellers wanting free roof inspections.The majority of them change their mind when we tell them ther is a fee.Nothing like someone wasting your time for bargaining purposes on the sale of a home.

I let homeowners know up front- I have minimum charge to inspect and report on a issue- If they baulk at that statement I move on. While estimates may be free diagnosing and issue, reporting and coming up with a solution is not. Consulting is not free, especially when I bring out my infrared camera to locate a source of an issue.

He was asking for an inspection. Not an estimate. Inspections are not free. I ask several questions when they call and start counting up the green and red flags. Too many red flags and not enough green ones, I ain't coming out.

We had 6 inches of rain here last Monday and I've been wide open every since. Worked 8 days in a row with the last day being a Saturday. I was exhausted by this time but I had promised this lady I would re-do her tedious dead valley by weeks end. When I sold her the job, I told her that I do my own work. Meaning I do not subcontract the job out. I took a helper with me to do it. She was not there on our arrival but we had her approval before hand.

I worked on it for 4 hours without a break and finished everything up. The only thing left to do was put the siding back on. My helper happens to be a good siding guy so I was letting him do that part and I went to the truck for a break. As soon as I lit up a smoke the lady pulls up, jumps out of her car and starts cursing me out because I have someone else on the roof and I'm just "sitting in the truck". She went on and on, questioning the work, the price, you name it. It was ridiculous. Treated me like I was some kind of dirt bag after I had just finished fixing her leak that no one else had been able to solve in 6 years. UNREAL!

"I should have asked why he didn't call them out to look at it. Unfortunately I didn't think of that til I hung up."

Too cheap to make the long distance phone call? :laugh: the 1-800-free roof number is disconnected? :laugh: The taillight warranty expired...6 yrs. ago? :laugh:

or...... he knows they will song and dance for as long as they can, then tell him to pound sand :laugh: :laugh: