Just warranty and tie in details to the old roof. What is the roof construction?

It's considered a flat roof, I believe, even though it is sloped.

Just wanted to post a follow up. According to the Velux website, the cost of replacement for this skylight ranges from $2,000-$3,600 depending on the complexity of installation.

The Velux recommended/certified contractor came out yesterday and gave me a rough estimate of $4,400.

I asked him about the prices on the Velux website, and he expressed frustration - told me that Velux company uses that as a bait & switch - that they know there's no way that's realistic, that he's discussed this with his sales rep numerous times, but they won't adjust their website prices.

I think I'll go with it anyway, but the dishonesty irks me.

I do not think they are being dishonest. Honestly there is no true way for them to know what the range is as it will depend on to many other factors, and logistics. Not to mention cost of living area the skylight is being installed in. Do I think they do themselves an injustice by even offering that info, absolutely. It is definitely misleading, dishonest, tough call. I am an estimator, so I understand that you cannot make those type of generalities without the very real possibility of blowback. I have learned by putting my foot in my mouth with off the cuff prices so know all to well.

Honestly that price sounds completely reasonable for the complexity of that job. The website price would possibly apply in a more normal installation on a first floor roof with easy access.

So his price is about 20% higher than Velux's range...easily explainable. Not how old that page is on Velux's site...but there could be 20% right there. Honestly...low slope roofs are harder to tie together as well. Plenty of factors make that a reasonable number.

Millworkman - I appreciate your input. Thank you. That makes sense. I also have a business where estimates are sought - and people ask me all the time to give estimates based on garden photos. Nope. I would never post the price for a job on my website.

Hallett & Co: good to knows. Thanks. I'd think that most skylights would be installed on upper floors, though. Is that not the case?

Windows on Washington Ltd - thank you. I guess that makes sense. I think that fact that the estimate I got is more than 20% higher than the top of the range stated makes it seem like a lot.

***

I very much appreciate all of your professional imput and explanations. It does put my mind at east. Thank you.

Well, I just got the written estimate versus the verbal estimate I got when the contractor was here. Written estimate is for $4,900. So that’s definitely more than 20% over the maximum stated at the Velux website.

Ugh. Can you get more quotes? The number still doesn't shock me (after the last couple of years not much does)

Hallett & Co., yes, I suppose I could get other quotes. The quote states: "We also give a price guarantee that no other Velux certified install company will beat our price or we will match and beat there price by 5%." Maybe they assume no one is going to bother getting other quotes.

Nothing shocks me on pricing now. Can't say the same for when you deliver it to a client.

That said...person shouldn't have opened their darn mouth to give price if it wasn't going to be accurate. Missing it by $100...okay. Missing it by 12% ($500)....not okay.

Windows on Washington - so, the $500 . He did say when he was here that blackout shades cost $500, (that seems a lot to me for blinds, but what do I know?) but that was *before* he said 4,400, so, I assumed he was including them since I'd already said I wanted them. The *written* estimate states $4,400, with an *additional* $500 for blackout blinds... He's the owner of the company.

Also, the bid said they'd have to change the skylight from a curb-mounted to a deck-mounted unit. So, maybe this is a bigger job than most, I dunno. He didn't look at it from the outside, only the inside.

With a flat roof, I don't see a scenario where I went from a curb to deck mount. There are a few things here that don't give me the warm and fuzzies.

I agree with WoW, for a flat roof I would not get rid of the curb mounted. Sure they have flat roof deck mounted (higher flashing package), but I would not get rid of the curb if I had one currently.

Interesting. I am happy to copy and paste the email I got from him if that would be useful. There were quite a few things that I don’t understand… In addition to grammar and spelling, etc. being pretty poor…

" He didn't look at it from the outside, only the inside. "

Then how could he possibly know he would need to change it from curb to deck mount? Sounds fishy to me. I still see no reason to change and cannot think of a good reason.