FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
No one can give pricing details in this business. It just doesn't work. This isn't La's Angele's California with millions of track house roofs that all have the same tile put on in the same year. This is Oregon. We have every kind of roof known to man, and many types that should not be used here. Each structure has it's own unique characteristics and they all have to be taken into consideration. Anyone who shoots generic pricing out there in this business is a fool. Most won't do it. Occasionally we will see someone come floating through trying to buy up everything with production pricing, but they never last long. It's just not smart in this business. We price every roof on it's own. We look at all the materials needed, the labors and other logistics factors and produce a price that allows us to make a profit and deliver the quality that the job requires. We don't worry about being the lowest bidder. We often aren't the highest. We never compare our pricing to the industry. You can't do that. Our costs are different then theirs. We all have to find the pricing structure that allows us to stay in business. We know where we need to be. We'll give you our best price the first time. If it doesn't work, well, that's the way it goes. We'll shake your hand and smile and thank you anyway.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Usually first contacts come by phone or email. We always try to meet the customer in person if possible. That way we talk about any concerns they may have. Usually questions will lead to other questions and we can make sure we are covering all the bases. These days it is more difficult to see people. Most are working and schedules just conflict sometimes. But we will find a time to meet, especially on larger more difficult jobs. There are those small simple jobs that just don't require a lot of correspondence. We do work all the time where we never see the customer. Maybe we came recommended and they chose us to do the work, but our paths just don't seem to cross. We do the work, send the invoice and they send a check. Sometimes it's just that simple. Most people like to get to know the person they are going to hire. So we will find a time to meet with them if needed.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Yes we do. The manufacturers are always bringing new products to the market place. New knowledge of old products and their performance is always surfacing after years of trial and error. As in any industry, it is important to stay ahead of the curve. We don't claim to be the smartest and we don't know everything. But if we don't know it and we need to know it to do the job, we'll go get the information or the training we need to do it right. Continuing education is a large part of how we have gotten where we are here in Lane County. We pride ourselves on being up to speed. In fact, we are proud to say that many time we get to be the "go to" guy when a new product is brought in for trial in our area. Our testing and feedback of the product to the manufacturer is respected. If we can't use it, or trust it, and if it doesn't do what it was intended to do, It isn't going to make it. They want to know that before bringing truck loads of product into the market. That is good continuing education for all of us in the industry.