" We can't get enough workers"

[dixiegrrrrl]

20. What we did

was consider a local guy I have known now for 8 years, and have heard good things about.
He has been who we called when the old roof developed leaks from time to time, he was reasonable in price, prompt in showing up, and little by little I got to know him better.
We also buy organic beef from him.
The thing is, down here in the South, developing relationships and taking time to know people is VERY important.

So, replace roof time, last week.
Neighbor lady had to have hers replaced, so I got her roofer to come over and give us a written estimate, he gave a very detailed one.
He lives in a town 40 miles away.
Great, now I have a comparison, and could have gotten 2-3 more if I wanted, from other people.

Then I asked our local guy for an estimate.
Sure enough he was $1,000 higher.
But also used better quality shingles, lived 15 miles away so he could be right over if there was a problem,
and after 8 years of knowing him, I knew he would be prompt in coming over and fixing anything for me.
So we dickered, and he dropped down to 500.00 over the first bid.
Plus he had just finished putting on a roof for my insurance agent, who knows him, and for the agent's momma, who I know, and ......you get the picture.

So I chose him.
He did the job in a day and a half, I kept an eye on how they guys were performing, they worked hard and steady and cleaned up afterwards.

In your case, I would consider the young guy whom you know, but make sure you have a contract with lots of details. As for his inexperience, you could talk him into a reasonable and fair price for being his guinea pig.
1/2 the total price is labor, the rest is mostly shingles.
Get in writing what he will do in case of any problems after the installation.
And you might as well ask 2-3 other people to come over and give you written estimates, get a feel for how they come across, and have something to compare.

Oh..be aware the shingles ( if using asphalt, which are now really made of fiberglass) they need a day after installation of hot weather to set properly. So the trick is getting 2 days of good roofing weather in a row.