Two roofing quotes can arrive looking as though they describe the same job, apart from an alarming difference at the bottom. Before assuming one contractor is expensive or the other has found a bargain, look at what each is proposing to do.
The commercial roofing quotes Perth property owners receive can cover different amounts of work. ‘Repair the roof’ might mean dealing with one damaged area, replacing several sheets or renewing associated flashings and fixings. If the descriptions don’t match, the totals aren’t yet ready for a useful comparison.
Start with the problem the work is meant to solve. Has each contractor inspected the same areas and been given the same history of leaks or previous repairs? A quote based on photographs may contain assumptions that a site inspection would clarify. Ask what has been confirmed and what still needs checking.
Materials deserve a closer look than a familiar brand name. The sheet profile, coating and accessories should suit the building and its environment. Coastal exposure or activities inside an industrial property may affect the specification. One proposal may include details or materials that another has left out, so ask for the differences to be explained.
Access can change the price. A straightforward-looking patch may sit above a busy loading area or beside equipment that limits movement. Providing safe access, protecting the area below and arranging deliveries all take planning. Those costs don’t disappear because the section of roof being repaired is small.
Then there is what happens to the existing roof. Check whether removal and disposal are included, and what the contractor assumes about the material’s condition. If hazardous materials may be present, identification and appropriate arrangements need to be settled. A low allowance based on an untested assumption can make the initial total misleading.
Business hours matter as well. Work staged around production or trading may require a different programme from a job on an empty building. Ask how much disruption each proposal allows for. A price that assumes unrestricted access every weekday is describing a different arrangement from one built around keeping particular areas operating.
Look for the less obvious gaps. Are gutters, insulation or roof penetrations included where relevant? What happens if deteriorated supports are uncovered? Ask how additional work will be assessed and approved, rather than leaving that conversation until the roof is open. Also confirm the treatment of GST and any stated exclusions.
Warranty wording needs reading alongside the proposed work. Product cover and workmanship cover address different things, and conditions may apply. Request the documents and ask who would handle a problem after completion. A warranty described as ‘included’ tells you very little without its terms.
If the quotes remain far apart, send each contractor the same questions and request revised descriptions where necessary. Keep the answers with the quotes. You can then choose between understood proposals, including their limitations, rather than trying to work out whether a short line in one document means the same thing as a detailed allowance in another.
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