It’s time to replace my old gas furnace with a heatpump, so I contacted 36 different companies in my area for quotes. 12 of them replied, and 10 of them sent me quotes ranging from $12,000 to $28,000. That’s a huge range to consider! Even with three quotes, how do I know if the $18,000 is a good deal?
I’m now in the process of replacing my roof and contacted 31 companies. 11 of them responded and sent in 9 quotes ranging from $12,200 to $34,000. I live in an area with a shortage of tradespeople, and some companies don’t feel the need to provide competitive pricing. There are enough desperate people that they can take jobs without having to compete. Fortunately, tradespeople in my region are decently regulated, and licensed, bonded, and insured companies are likely to do a good job.
I’m getting a lot of comments about getting what you pay for, or that the lowest quote isn’t always the best. To be clear, I didn’t go with the lowest quotes. For roofing, the cluster from $12,000 to $14,000 seemed the most competitive, and the $17,000 to $18,000 companies are probably reliable but not as hungry. The $22,000+ bids seem like throwaway bids.
When it comes to replacing an old furnace or roof, it’s important to do your research and get multiple quotes. Make sure you’re getting quotes from licensed, bonded, and insured companies in your area. Compare the quotes and look for a cluster that seems competitive. Don’t just go with the lowest quote, as it may not be from the best company. Take your time and research the company and their reviews. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make sure you’re getting quality work for your money.