As a roofing contractor, it is your responsibility to give your customer an accurate estimate early in the process. When you don’t, it can lead to costly mistakes and some serious customer disappointment.
Throughout our years as the highest-rated metal roofing supplier in Florida, we’ve learned quite a bit about the mistakes roofers make when ordering materials. That’s why we wanted to take the time to share those mistakes with you. Why? When we work together, it creates a winning combination for everyone involved.
Quick Answer: What Happens When Roofers Make Ordering Mistakes?
Ordering mistakes lead to production delays, added freight costs, wasted materials, and installation problems. Before placing a metal roofing order, contractors should do the following:
- Verify measurements
- Check panel specifications
- Confirm trim details
- Understand what accessories are needed
- Specify delivery logistics
Even the most experienced roofing contractors run into ordering mistakes from time to time. Because many metal roofing products are custom-manufactured to exact lengths and profiles, changes after production begins can quickly become expensive. A few minutes spent reviewing an order before submission can save days, sometimes weeks, on the back end of a project.
Why Do Ordering Mistakes Cost Roofing Contractors So Much?
We all want our businesses to be as profitable as possible. But when we make mistakes, it can quickly eat into those profits. And in the roofing space, the reality is that custom-manufactured panels and trim often cannot be returned once they come off the line.
A materials delay pushes back labor schedules and holds up other trades. Incorrect materials mean reordering, additional shipping charges, and awkward conversations with the property owner. Small errors on an order form quickly become large scheduling and budgeting problems.
And so, with that, let’s take a look at the most common roofing ordering mistakes that you will want to avoid.
1. Ordering From Incomplete Measurements
Measure every roof section carefully, and account for valleys, hips, dormers, transitions, and overhangs. Double-check field measurements before submitting an order. Estimating from old plans is risky because as-built conditions rarely match original drawings, and even a small discrepancy in panel length can leave a crew short mid-installation.
2. Overlooking Trim, Flashing, and Accessories
Of course, your panels are a pretty big and necessary component of your roofing supply order. But without the accessories, your customer’s roof simply isn’t going to hold up. So, don’t forget the following:
- Ridge caps
- Drip edge
- Valley metal
- Pipe boots
- Closure strips
- Fasteners
- Underlayment
These components are just as important as the panels themselves, and a missing box of closures can stall an otherwise well-planned installation.
3. Choosing the Wrong Panel Profile or Gauge
Not all projects will have the same requirements. So, it is super important to do your due diligence by checking on requirements before you place your order. Keep in mind that residential and commercial projects often carry different requirements for wind uplift ratings, gauge, and substrate. Mixing profiles or gauges on the same job also creates installation challenges, since panels may not lap or seam together as intended.
4. Waiting Too Long to Place the Order
Manufacturing schedules fill up, especially during seasonal demand spikes and after major storms. Delivery windows tighten as lead times stretch, and a late order can push a project start date past what the customer was promised. Ordering earlier gives contractors more flexibility if plans change.
5. Forgetting to Confirm Delivery Details
Details, details, details. Before you schedule delivery, always check the following:
- Delivery address
- Jobsite accessibility
- Equipment needed for unloading
- Contact information
- Delivery timing/ window
A truck that cannot reach the site or long panels arriving without a forklift on hand will contribute to unnecessary delays. A brief delivery-planning conversation prevents most of these headaches.
6. Skipping a Final Order Review
We always suggest triple-checking your order before submitting. Here’s what to check:
- Material quantities
- Colors
- Lengths (always keep in mind the following mantra: measure twice, cut once)
- Trim packages
- Fasteners
- Accessories
Have another team member review the order before it goes in. Fresh eyes catch transposed numbers, mismatched colors, and missing line items that the original estimator tends to read right past.
7. Not Talking With Your Supplier Before Finalizing the Order
The best suppliers work as business partners, not just vendors. And, when you work with an experienced supplier, know that they are used to reviewing orders like yours each and every day. Suppliers such as 1st Coast Metal Roofing Supply can identify missing components, clarify specification questions, suggest compatible accessories, and flag ordering errors before production begins. A brief phone call costs nothing and often surfaces an issue that would have been expensive to fix later.
A Simple Pre-Order Checklist for Every Roofing Project
Here’s a quick checklist that you can use to make sure you’ve considered all the components when ordering roofing materials for your next project.
- Measurements verified
- Panel profile confirmed
- Gauge confirmed
- Color selected
- Trim package complete
- Accessories included
- Delivery information confirmed
- Job schedule reviewed
- Final order reviewed by another team member
Order Once, Keep Every Project on Schedule
Careful planning before placing an order helps contractors avoid delays, unnecessary expenses, and scheduling disruptions. A reliable supplier can also answer questions before production begins, so the materials that arrive are the materials the job requires. When planning your next metal roofing order, contact 1st Coast Metals to confirm every detail before the first panel is formed.
FAQ
What information should I have before ordering metal roofing materials?
Have accurate roof measurements, panel specifications, color selections, trim requirements, accessory lists, and delivery information ready before submitting your order.
Can I change my order after manufacturing begins?
It’s always best to check with your supplier in advance regarding returns, change orders, etc. The more information you have up front, the easier things will be. Always keep in mind that many custom-manufactured roofing products can’t be modified once production begins.
What accessories are commonly forgotten on roofing orders?
Fasteners, closure strips, pipe boots, ridge caps, valley metal, drip edge, underlayment, and flashing are among the items contractors most frequently overlook.
Why should roofing contractors work closely with their metal supplier?
An experienced supplier can review specifications, answer product questions, identify missing components, and help contractors avoid ordering mistakes before materials are manufactured.
