What today won't bring.......

And then there are the ShowRoom big box Contractors who will give away the roof so they can damn near give away the siding, windows and doors. WHat do they make $3 K GP on all of it?

I found out one reason I got beat on the price...I used my suppliers price on O/C shingles instead of the box stores. $80 a square has a hard time pricing against $55 a square, thats 25%+. I was at a disadvantage from the start!

That burns me up......

Good advice GAK. I get a baqd aqttitude about having to "re-start" my business every year and fight this same battle every spring.

Here's an example: Yesterday: Past customer. I've done 3-4 jobs for him. 1 for his dad and MIL. I offer him blow-in insulation, LM Premium shingle and CT 5 star 50 warranty.

I sez "Ron, w/ what you save in energy costs, this roof will not cost you a dime. In fact if it goes over 40 yrs., you'll make money. You are 52. Last roof ever for you, if CT's #'s are right (not mine). PLUS you have THEIR 50 yr. workmanship warranty for when I am long gone!"

What does he say? "I need to get another estimate!" Fair enough. But then he wants me to separate the insulation/ roofing price. At that point I decline.

Gawd I hate spring. I'd rather fight the winter weather, work 1/2 the time for twice the money and sit out March.......

SOS, another year. It's a real challenge to sell work right now. I will be talking to 5 potential customers tommorrow. I want to get four of them, I hope to get three of them, it would be great to get two of them, I better get at least one of them but it really wouldn't surprise me if I didn't get any of them.

Lot of guys working for squat. "Have at it" is all I can say. A lot of desperate roofers that will drop price even before they test the waters. They will fill up with cheap work and stay busy while making no money all year. Eventually things get back to normal. Just got to keep selling. It's the same every year.

GSD Said: years ago, when Id post something like this, theyd say I didnt know how to sell......

But me being in Michigan, the first state to go into the bad times, I know thats not true. Its a hard fight, looking back, probably not worth it. Probably better to put your time, money and energy into something else. good luck.

Even in the worst of times, you Mich fellas can at least calculate a better price than the IN guys in the best of times...

i have lost jobs over 50 bucks before. i here also live in michigan. there is 1 way i have found a company working and not relying on the phone to ring. unsolicided bids in the mail. hes closing 40% of them but the problem lies in 800 profit. Now when he did 800 of them last year thats pretty good. But thats the only way i figure guys with lack of leads can turn it around. Drive around look at bad roofs, write the address down and do that for a couple of hours now you have 30 some homes that need roofs. if you get 5 of them its worth the drive and stamps. The guy that i know this from is pretty smart. Just thought i would pass it along maybe it will help someone.

This is nothing new guys. Been going on since the beginning of time. lol I combat this by focusing on the upperscale areas and avoiding the others. I decline to bid on roughly 25% of the leeds that come in due to being out of my service area. The driving time, gas, etc. is too high and the return is too low. I stick to the jobs that are close by and not as price competitive. No this does not entirely eliminate the price wars and i don't think thats even possible no matter what. But being the local company with an excellent reputation and an office in a prime location in the center of the upperscale areas for more than 15 years is a big advantage. I dont try to gouge customers for ridiculous profits and im not a lowballer either. My goal is to be the middle bid. Offering top quality service before, during and after the sale for a "FAIR" price.

Just triing to get fired up is all - I would probably find the lowballer and kick his butt vs loosing on the job anyhow - even if were me and a laborer were to do Randys job would'nt be more than $400 to split after materials and permit and stuff for 3 days 2 guys.

But yea i would definately find out who he was and at least call him and let him know what was on my mind. Since it would probably be the only lead i had all week and i would be stewing over it all week until i called and got it off my chest.

That's why the good lord made the insurance companies for lol.If it weren't for them we would be starving here.We almost never hear back on our estimates from the customers who pay cash.

Kick away, but at those prices, you might just as well work for someone else!

It does definately suck out there -- I am about willing to work for food at this point i will not be turning anything away - a Guy gotta do what a guys gotta do. sorry - If i am gonna get lowballed so be it -- They are hurtin just as bad if not worse. I'll take it all away if thats the game they want to play well see who still gets up the next day for $5.00 a day and some ramen noodles. been ther before do it again cause i know no other way to go - And when the last one gives up i will win and be free to set prices again.

Tough business guys "when the goiing gets tough the tough get going" Every day we let the lowballers take work from us another day they will be a lowballin and the way the economy is now we cannot afford to have them taking all the work even if it is for some noodles at the end of the day.

I have been depressed, disapointed, frustrated and i am now getting ready to kick butt

:lol:

Why is it I go to some BS repair/ service call yesterday and the owner is not sure if I am trustworthy. I humbly mention that we did a repair for the neighbor last year, talk to him. We've been here for 20 yrs! I Drive a truck w/ LADDERS!! I OWN TOOLS!!

Dammit people!!

No wonder Wall St is a casino. People are gambling their own money w/ a simple roof! Like TRG sez--- how many times do you want to pay for this thing??

Chit men, if I am going to work LESS, then I am going to have to charge MORE

copperman Said: Im hitting 40% over my competitors and Im at 1990 prices. They are working for nothing or they are not paying comp.& insurance. Bid a reflash on a Huge chimney on a slate roof in a valley. very labor intensive with a lot of soldering at $1500.00 and the guys said Hes going to price shop.

Obamas stimulous plan should be nothing more than 10000 IRS agents........ ;)

Yes it is open season. And guess who is NOT the hunter, but the hunted? I don't know if it will be worth even putting gas in my truck this year.

Oh wait, gas is going up. FIRST time in my roofing career that it has me concerned. Prolly 'cause I might not be working. So THIS is how the other half live.....

Wow copper, without even looking at it I would be at about $3,000.00 and he is going to "shop" it? Wow!