Why you need roofing proposals and contracts and how they differ
Oh, paperwork. It’s one of those “necessary evils” that every business owner needs but tends to put off or ignore altogether.
Did paperwork get you down? You are not alone and help is here!
In the roofing business, an agreement or contract between the contractor and the client is as essential to your personal protection and safety as a helmet and roofing harness.
This article will explore why. We’ll also explain the difference between a proposal and a contract, and then offer some tips on how to create for both you and your clients.
For the purposes of this discussion of the construction of a contract between the contractor and the client, the terms “contract” and “agreement” will be used interchangeably; but keep in mind that the very word “contract” tends to be perceived as a bit more official or carrying more legal weight.
Furthermore, contracts are considered in most cases as written documents, while agreements are considered as verbal consents; however, both can exist in either format.
Although these nuances are interesting, it is much more important to recognize the vast differences between a proposal and a contract or agreement. So let’s start there.
What is the difference between a proposal and a contract?
Simply put, a proposal is a marketing piece that suggests to a prospect what you can do for how much.
A contract is a legal document that confirms with a client exactly what will be done, when, and for how much. Think: The PROs are for the PROS pets; NOC deals are for NOC contractors.
The following table shows at a glance 10 main differences between a proposal and a contract. As you can clearly see, the differences are at opposite ends.
As we discussed in a previous article, homeowners are encouraged to contact three to five roofing contractors for quotes before selecting one. So, to get the job, you and your proposal need to stand out from the competition.
Here’s how.
How to Create a Winning Proposal for Homeowners
Whether you’re replacing a roof, building a sales proposal, or developing a contractor-client relationship, you have to build quality into every step of the process.
This starts with your first contact, your sales presentation, and the resulting proposal.
We have already talked about the importance of the first impression. We also offered our recommendations for effective sales presentations.
