…and what to do about it
As you know, the past year has been challenging in many ways, affecting all areas of life. Turns out, too, that the roofing industry has not been spared either. If you’re looking to get a new roof and have started researching the process, you may have heard about the various issues impacting the construction and home remodeling industries. Several of these issues are outside the control of suppliers, manufacturers, and contractors, as there are widespread unprecedented shortages of products and materials.
With more people spending time at home in 2020 and into this year, more homeowners are deciding to use this time wisely and improve their homes. But the result is, unfortunately, a skyrocketing demand for labor and materials and overworked contractors without enough time to get everything done. Yes, there are some home improvement projects that you can put off until the shortages calm down, but some projects, like roof replacement when you have sprung a bunch of leaks, just can’t.
Here are some tips to prepare for and handle this shortage.
Make Preparations
The best thing you can do is be prepared for the delays and then adjust your expectations accordingly. Price changes and shortages affect all aspects of the process, from the fabricators on down to the suppliers, then down to the contractors and finally to the homeowner. Be patient and follow these helpful tips:
- Leave wiggle room in your budget – Pad your budget and expect prices to increase or snafus to arise. Remember: roofing projects require flexibility to accommodate unforeseen circumstances.
- Buy now – Prices will only increase, getting higher the longer you wait. You should book your roofing project and buy materials now to take advantage of today’s prices before they get ever higher. The alternative is to wait things out till long after the pandemic has ended and prices hopefully begin to normalize.
- Extend your wait time expectations – With the lack of supply, labor shortages, and higher demand, products are taking longer to be delivered to contractors, particularly when it comes to metal roofing. Why? Several metal mills experienced extreme hardships and shut downs in 2020, resulting in dwindling supply paired with high demand.
- Know that qualified installers are at a premium – It’s wise to plan out your roofing project well ahead of time so you can snag the best, most qualified roofer possible. Roofers, just like the materials they install, are in demand. They’re booking up months ahead of time, so you’ll have to prepare yourself to wait a bit if you want to book the best roofer in your local area.
- Communicate with your contractor – When it comes to price, timetables and completion dates, keep the lines of communication open with your roofer. Remember, the delays are not necessarily their fault, and they’re doing everything within their power to communicate with suppliers as shortages and lead times keep changing every day.
Heed these tips when planning a roofing project for 2021. Your dedication and patience will pay off when you receive a high quality, energy efficient, beautiful roof!
Contact Ferris Roofing
The contractors at Ferris Roofing will do the best they can to schedule your roofing project despite challenges affecting the industry. Contact us at 817-727-4214 for a free quote today.