Newbie Roofer Ranting About Nightmare Client on GAF Timberline Shingle Replacement Job

RoofRatRicky

·1mo·10 replies·10 participants

RoofRatRicky⚒️ JourneymanOP1mo

So I'm in north jersey, zone 5 winters are brutal on roofs, and I just wrapped up this GAF Timberline HDZ shingle replacement on a 2,000 sq ft colonial that shoulda been a quick 3-day job for $12k. Client kept changing her mind mid-project, first wanting ridge vents added then scrapping it for some fancy copper flashing that wasn't in the quote, adding $2,500 outta pocket. By day 4, her HOA inspector shows up nitpicking every nail placement, and she starts yelling about delays while I'm up there in the freezing wind. Nearly slipped off the ladder rushing to fix a minor tear that wasn't even my fault, heart pounding like crazy. PSA guys, always get every change order in writing or you'll eat the cost and stress. 2 years in the trade and this one's got me questioning if residential's worth it. Edit: she finally paid but docked $500 for 'aesthetic issues' that were her additions.

JoltJester3⚒️ Journeyman1mo

man, change orders without writing always bite you in the ass, especially with picky hoas breathing down your neck. been there in zone 5, nearly lost a guy to a slip like that... glad you got paid mostly.

SawdustSavant17⚒️ Journeyman1mo

next time hit her with a detailed change order form before touching that copper flashing, saves you the $2,500 headache and keeps everything documented for the hoa BS.

RollerRogue5⚒️ Journeyman1mo

man, north jersey clients are the worst, had one dock me $300 last winter over some bullshit 'venting issue' that her own changes caused, makes you wanna quit residential altogether.

V3894🌱 Newcomer1mo

same shit man that $500 hit after she made you add all that extra crap sucks bad. been there on a 22 square colonial last month where they wanted copper ridge cap too and then fought every nail. always writing those changes in the truck right there stops most of it before it blows up. did the HOA guy ever actually cite a specific shingle code or just nitpick? GAF Timberline HDZ is solid but nothing saves you from clients like that. north jersey winters make every extra day miserable too. howd you end up quoting the original 12k anyway?

DoorDoc3🔧 Apprentice1mo

SharkBite fittings behind walls? Nah, that's for plumbers chasing easy money, roofers know real work means no shortcuts like that crap.

TarPaperTitan⚒️ Journeyman1mo

Haha, sounds like my last job where the client wanted 'eco-friendly' shingles but flipped when I quoted the premium price. Ended up with her dog chasing me across the scaffolding, nearly caused a real fall.

FrameItFrank⚒️ Journeyman1mo

Dog on the roof? That's next level. Mine just had a cat that thought the new shingles were a litter box. Cleaned that mess for free to avoid a bad review.

BrushStrokeBoss10🔧 Apprentice1mo

Man, these homeowners think they can micromanage every trade now with their google searches. We're all getting screwed by the same entitled BS, time to union up or something.

FrameItFrank⚒️ Journeyman1mo

Damn, north jersey clients are the worst for that HOA drama. Been there, lost a full day to their BS inspections last winter.

TarWarrior⚒️ Journeyman1mo

get a written sign off from the hoa before you order the timberline so the delay dont hit your pocket.