🏠 Buyer’s Checklist for Roofing and Siding Materials
Roofing and siding are high-impact, high-value product categories — and getting the purchase wrong can mean weather damage, failed inspections, or installation delays for your customers.
So how do you make sure your purchasing team is sourcing the right materials from the right vendors, at the right time? Here’s a smart buyer’s checklist, built to work with your ERP system.
🏷️ 1. Validate Specs for Each Project Type
Not all roofing and siding is created equal. Based on region, project type, or local code, your buyers should verify:
Wind and fire ratings
Shingle thickness or gauge
Warranties and lifespan
Local compliance and specs
ERP Workflow: Attach spec sheets, install guides, and ratings to every product for easy cross-checking.
📦 2. Confirm Delivery Constraints
Roofing bundles, rolls, and siding panels are bulky and weather-sensitive.
Ask vendors:
Is product shrink-wrapped or covered?
Do deliveries require forklifts or rooftop placement?
Are materials staged by project or drop zone?
ERP Tip: Add delivery notes per product to help with planning and logistics.
🔄 3. Check Availability and Lead Times
Roofing products can be seasonally volatile and impacted by storms or regional disasters.
Use ERP to:
Track vendor lead times historically
Auto-alert buyers when stock falls below buffer levels
Suggest alternate SKUs for long-lead items
📊 4. Evaluate Cost, Freight, and Storage Together
It’s not just unit price that matters — it’s the total cost.
ERP Insight Tools:
Compare landed cost across vendors
Track freight per product weight/volume
Calculate warehouse space needed pre-order
✅ 5. Choose Vendors Who Can Deliver Jobsite Ready
Your best vendors support your workflow, not just your product needs.
Look for:
Accurate documentation (invoices, labels, warranty cards)
Timely and complete delivery history
Ability to handle rush or phased project deliveries
ERP Benefit: Maintain vendor scorecards and performance history to ensure your top vendors stay on top.
Final Takeaway:
Roofing and siding products need extra scrutiny — they’re expensive, hard to store, and critical to a structure’s long-term performance. With the right checklist and ERP tools, you’ll avoid costly sourcing mistakes.
Want to build a smarter buying strategy for exterior products? Contact us — we’ll help you set it up in your ERP.
