Affected by the economic context, many Quebecers have used the services of roofing companies offering a little too advantageous prices … and they are receiving today.
Like the other sectors of the construction industry, that of the roof was afflicted by fairly dizzying price increases. The roof owner MR, Manuel Racicot, believes that the bill for an asphalt shingle roof for an average bungalow increased from $ 4,200 to $ 6,500. For an elastomer membrane, the most popular choice for flat roofs, the price went from $ 12,000 to $ 18,000 for the average duplex.
Photo courtesy roof mr
Even if this pill can be difficult to swallow, he advises to be wary of companies that offer too advantageous prices. Very often, he specifies, his business is called to repair the broken pots.
“We often visit customers who had used roofers who loaded much cheaper, but who had disappeared after having botched the job,” he said. We see a lot of ventilation and insulation problems. ”
To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is advisable to investigate the history of a company before entrusting it with this nerve task.
Courtesy photo Renoassistance
“You have to ask the company what is its seniority and if it has references,” says Isabelle Audy, expert advocacy for renovation. A roof entrepreneur can do business for a year with a name, defraud several people, change their names, and set off again.
“You can’t trust everyone.”
An expensive workforce
According to Manuel Racicot, the industry has undergone major transformations in recent years, which have had a considerable impact on the portfolio of owners.
“During the pandemic, people mostly asked for repairs,” he explains. We lacked a bit of work. Some companies have lowered their prices a lot to make their employees work, but wages have become disproportionate. ”
An observation shared by the President of the Quebec Association of Hardware and Construction Materials, Richard Darveau, who insists that the price of materials is not in question in the increase in prices.
Photo Pierre-Paul Poulin
“The workforce has been much more expensive since the covid,” he notes. Depending on the material chosen for its roof, the workforce can represent more than 50% of the price of the work. ”
The environment in the background
The possibilities are multiple when the time comes to choose a type of roof. The momentum of more eco -responsible and durable options, such as steel or used tires, has been slowed down by the economic context.
It is rather the indelogable asphalt shutter, polluting but affordable, which dominates the competition for sloping roofs.
“It is first on the podium, well in front of the second and third place,” adds Mr. Darveau. It is a rare material that has not survived, and the installation is within the reach of all roofers and “do-it-yourselfers”.»
«I do not know if it is the Donald Trump effect, but people are as much more concerned with their portfolio than ecology. ”
In addition, in a context of a pricing conflict, local purchase is a completely logical choice. “All roof products are available in the Made in Canada. We have lots of producers in Quebec and Ontario. ”
