Walking the Roofs

Some newb here asked me if I walked the roofs and when I said I didn't, he said I was doing my clients a disservice. B)

Be that as it may, I remembered the comment a few days ago during a conversation with another roofer, and then a client.

My questions to the newbie if he's still here are.

Do you give free estimates? I don't.

How many scaffolds do you set up on each roof so you can inspect them? Me, none.

Or do you rent or own a snorkel-lift and take it to each job to give an estimate? I don't.

:laugh: Just curious.

Most of my jobs look like this one which I started Mon. Got 3 pipe collars replaced 1st. day! Plus some pointing and general repairs. And no, I did not walk this one either.

If it aint broke...dont fix it!

I do however like the use of the word newb! It fits a lot of roofers now-a-days.

I try to walk every roof I can, which is one of the reasons I like to stay away from shingles if at all possible.

A lot of these newer roofers are actually just shinglers and not that it is an insult...but residential insurance work is what most everyone is doing now and really have no idea about other roof systems or other aspects of roofing.

Chit-chatting with one of these types the other morning at ABC...he asked how business was and I told him good, that I had just bid a 700sq built up and its for a client I have done work for a few times on other properties so I feel confident I will get it.

He asked......whats a built up?

Someone who specializes in slate/tile/high end work on residential is specialized market and they know their aspect of the trade well enough to not get on the roof and mess more stuff up :laugh:

I went back to finish today and gusty winds Sat. caused a lage limb to fall on the right side. 11 more slate broken. Owner wasn't too thrilled when I interrupted breakfast after I found the damage while going around the house to get some slate I had stored there.

Thanks for putting it into words John. :) No wordsmith here, just a roofer.

I'm not very explanatory about this way of doing business. If OS chips in, I'll bet he can explain it better.

roof_dawg Said: I do understand why you wouldnt walk it being a slate roof and the fact that your doing it yourself. When I look at one for repair, I have to consider that I may be sending a couple of my guys back to do it so I must have the exact repair scope and materials together. How did you estimate this? Did you figure to replace 3 boots, tuckpoint, and other general repairs? Im not bustin your balls, it just seems like your estimate could be way off due to vision problems(me) or unexpected repairs. Didnt you say you give an estimate range, or was that copperman?

Estimate range. Many want the whole roof checked. We set a price and when we hit that price, we decide how much more to spend. A bit oversimplified, but I work within budgetary restraints often.

Many others want the whole roof gone over and tell me to just send an invoice. No real specified budget, just check in every time a set amount is achieved. Say $5.K for instance. Some set the 'update/d progress report' at $1,500. No two jobs are the same except in the case of landlords where I do the work on several properties yearly.

This topic is a good one. How to do estimates. tinner you are a veteran. I consider myself an ole timer. Being a small part time repair guy. For me it is instinct , what do I need. How much can my customer afford. I may have a different perspective than some. I minimum charge based on the day rate and per diem I make when out on an event. It is up from there. I don't have the huge overheads, worrying about my men and their families with all that brings ,paying the materials vendors etc etc. Once upon a time when time wasn't like it is today, back in the day. If it were possible to attach a diving board to my thumb, back flips and jack knifes into the pool in the palm of my hand were possible. Man am I glad those days are over... whew that was not the direction I wanted my life to be going. So I changed my life :woohoo: The tone of this site has settled down after going crazy for so many years. It is becoming a pleasure coming here again.

B) :) :) B) Deep Down In Florida Where The Sun Shines Damn Near Every Day

I do understand why you wouldn't walk it being a slate roof and the fact that your doing it yourself. When I look at one for repair, I have to consider that I may be sending a couple of my guys back to do it so I must have the exact repair scope and materials together. How did you estimate this? Did you figure to replace 3 boots, tuckpoint, and other "general repairs"? I'm not bustin your balls, it just seems like your estimate could be way off due to vision problems(me) or unexpected repairs. Didn't you say you give an estimate range, or was that copperman?

If I'm providing a full roof inspection/evaluation, then, yes the roof is "walked"

For re-roofs I typically can assess w/o "walking" the roof. In fact, after many years in the biz, most, I can calculate w/o getting on the roof.

This applies to rsidential "ptched" roofs, of course.

Our estimates are free.

Tinner This picture should make it clear, it is not a moral absolute to walk roofs. Walking roofs is a situational ethic, It is obvious you can determine what is right and wrong. Just 3 stories??? Must be getting lazy :laugh: :laugh: B) :) :) B) Deep Down In Florida Where The Sun Shines Damn Near Every Day

No biggie here! I looked at this some months ago because of an e-mail request. E-Mailed an estimate and recently got the go-ahead. Met he owner for the first time Mon.

I never walk them because of breakage. This one is only 30 years old.