While we all love a bargain, it hardly bodes well when you’re looking at residential or commercial roofing. Whether it’s a brand new roof or just a metal roof replacement, Melbourne property owners are getting savvy about what really goes into a roofing quote to truly get the best value for their money.
How Much Does a New Roof Cost in Australia?
Trying to provide a general estimate for how much a new roof costs is like asking how long a piece of string is. The same goes for how much it costs to repair a roof. There are many factors at play when it comes to cost. Consider the bare basics like the size of the roof and the materials needed. But, don’t forget more complicated but just as critical elements, like communication, reliability and overall quality of workmanship. Ultimately, it comes down to not just paying for the roof but knowing how much your time and energy is worth.
What You’re Really Paying for in a New or Replacement Roof Quote
If you aren’t regularly working with a Melbourne roofing company, you can be forgiven for not considering these finer points. However, knowledge is power. With a full understanding of what goes into a new roof quote, you can make an informed choice on any roofing work, whether it’s for a commercial building or your family home.
The Quality of Service You’re Receiving
When you hire a professional service, you want a professional result, no matter the industry. So, when it comes to breaking down your new roof’s cost, consider what the end result will be. Importantly, too, question if the roofing company will stand by their work. This may be through workmanship warranties or check-ins to ensure there are no issues further down the track.
Quality of service also covers the level of customer service you receive. Whether it’s a new roof or a replacement, the cost should also cover your experience of the project. For instance, for many commercial buildings, it’s not always feasible to entirely close off the space until all roofing work is complete. It can be too much of a drain on the business’ ongoing income. Therefore, a higher quality service would be one where the roofing professionals understand this problem. Indeed, they would look at solutions to minimise impact on day-to-day operations, like completing the roofing work in sections.
Similarly, while you may be hard pressed to find yourself saying that having any sort of construction work done on your property is a pleasure, it certainly shouldn’t be unpleasant. This expands on the idea of your roofing experts being considerate in their work, like being friendly and approachable, as well as cleaning up after themselves throughout and at the end of the project. While these qualities may not be necessarily itemised on your quote, you can expect a service that charges more to provide you with more value — not just in the physical end result, but the process to reach it.
The Project Management Experience & Dedication You Get
Speaking of this process and added value, for many of us, our lives are already hectic and full of competing demands. Do you really have time to be project managing roofing work, particularly if it is a new field for you? A more expensive roofing company is likely to include project management in their overall cost or quote. But what does this mean for you?
For starters, you can expect clearer, more regular communication. You should be frequently updated by the company on the progress of your new roofing or roof replacement, so you always feel informed. It should never be a case of having to chase to get information.
Similarly, you shouldn’t be blindsided by changes to costs or deadlines. While no one can guarantee a flawless and smooth project, you want to be working with a team who is proactive and has exceptional problem solving skills. This may be evident in their initial approach to work, such as scoping and surveying the roof area to assess potential problems that may arise. It may also be clear in their attitude towards issues. For instance, if a problem does occur, they may approach you to explain the situation with strategies for how they intend to resolve it with minimal impact to cost, deadlines and your overall vision of the project.
In essence, you are paying more for this service as a form of future proofing, while also freeing up your time. You can step back from the day-to-day work on the project, feeling confident that it is being handled well and you will be notified of anything that requires your input or attention, without needing to do the heavy lifting of devising a solution or strategy.
The Reliability You Can Trust
Time is money and having deadlines stretch on and completion dates pass by unfulfilled can be a real risk when you choose a lower new or replacement roof quote. You want to know that your project is a priority. Therefore, by paying more you are ensuring that, along with the many other benefits discussed earlier.
Additionally, while ideally you won’t need more roofing work for many years after this project, you still want to have a professional you can trust in this area of expertise. You want someone you can rely on. This may be for rectifying any issues with the project or to do a new one. So, you want to be confident in both their workmanship and project management, as well as their respect for you and your time. This can be as simple as getting a quick response when you make a new inquiry.
The Quality of Materials Used & the Workmanship With Them
Obviously you can expect the cost of your new roof to be higher if higher quality materials are used. In some instances, this may be a personal choice or preference, whereas in others it may be dictated by what is most appropriate for the project and its requirements. When you have a roofing company that provides excellent value, you want to see high-quality materials used for a result that is both impressive and highly functional.
To achieve this though, it’s not just about picking the best materials on the market. Understanding how to work with these materials and get the most from them is critical to really get true value. For instance, you could hand someone a Fender or Gibson guitar, but if they don’t know what they’re doing, they’re hardly going to sound like a rock god. The same applies to roofing materials. You can spend a lot on great materials but if the people using them don’t know what they’re doing, it’s money wasted. That’s why when you look at the quote for your new or replacement roof, and see the charge for materials and labour, a higher amount is more reassuring.
Spend More to Worry Less, Thanks to KC Roof Plumbing
If you live in Melbourne and need roofing services for commercial properties or high-end architectural homes, your money will be well spent with KC Roof Plumbing. We endeavour to always provide our clients with excellent value, from our workmanship to our project management. You will always be kept up to date with everything happening, and we will strategise ways to limit disruption to your day-to-day life or business while we complete the work. We even clean up when we’re done and take your calls for 7 years to come! To get a quote for your replacement or new roof, get in touch with us today!