They offer protection from sun and rain - patio roofs. If you want more than just an awning, you usually can't avoid it. However, many are deterred by the enormous costs. It will be significantly cheaper if you use products from Poland. But is it really worth it? The answer: It depends – for example, who installs the roofing.
Products from Poland
Products from Poland are generally considered cheaper than those from Germany. The main reason for this is the significantly lower wage and ancillary wage costs in the former Eastern Bloc country. The current average gross wage there is a modest 610 euros. Although well-trained craftsmen and industrial workers earn more, the 1,000 euro mark is rarely exceeded. Since the production of patio roofs is relatively labor-intensive and can hardly be carried out by machine, it is not surprising that Polish products cost far less to produce than German ones. In addition, the materials required for this cost far less in Poland. Depending on the design, you can save between 20 and 50 percent - an amount that tempts many a homeowner.
Quality
As a rule, you don't have to worry about the quality of patio roofing from Poland. It fully complies with Western standards and is absolutely up to date. Polish craftsmen and workers are mostly very well trained and skilled. It is not for nothing that their skills allow them to find work all over Europe. In Great Britain, for example, they have long since overtaken local craftsmen. The materials used also meet the usual quality standards - regardless of whether it is a roof made of wood, glass or aluminum. Since Poland is a member of the European Union (EU), imports are not a problem. Thanks to the free movement of goods, there are no customs duties. Furthermore, due to EU membership, Polish products are also subject to the Union's safety and warranty requirements.
Sticking points
So there is nothing to dispute about the quality. It is also clear that patio roofs from Poland are generally cheaper than those made in Germany, for example. At first glance, everything speaks for these products. However, the devil is in the details here too. The roof alone is not enough. The following questions or sticking points may arise:
- How does the roofing get from Poland to Germany?
- How much does the transport cost?
- Who will install the roof over the terrace?
- What are the costs for this assembly?
- Montage
Depending on the answers to these questions, the total cost of a patio roof from Poland can increase significantly and perhaps even eat up the entire savings. As a result, you have to be extremely careful not to fall into a cost trap. Basically, you should be aware that the production of the individual roof elements only accounts for part of the costs. The costs that arise from the labor-intensive and time-intensive assembly are usually much more serious. Anyone who has to rely on German craftsmen will usually very quickly destroy the cost advantage of Polish products. An alternative here would be self-assembly. But this requires a certain level of skill and experience. In addition, it takes more than just one person to carry it out.
Delivery
Transportation costs can also quickly become a problem. Since the individual elements of a roof terrace are relatively large and heavy parts, delivery via a shipping company is usually the only option. Basically, a delivery from abroad always costs a little more than a domestic one. It is also important to clarify who is organizing the transport – the manufacturer or the customer. If you live near the Polish border, you may also want to think about collecting the material yourself. Manufacturers from Poland close to the border often also offer direct delivery and possibly even assembly.
Rule of thumb:
The further away the manufacturer is, the more expensive and sometimes more complicated it becomes.
Cost comparison
If you really want to save money with patio roofing from Poland, intensive cost comparisons in advance are essential. In any case, the price of the product itself should not be the sole deciding factor. Rather, it depends on the additional costs for transport and assembly. The best thing to do is to get several offers from German and Polish providers and compare them. Under certain circumstances it may be that a German full-service provider is cheaper than you might think at first glance.
Tip:
In order to receive viable offers, detailed information about the planned patio cover is essential (material, size, shape). The more precise information you can provide, the more meaningful the offer will be.
Admittedly, such cost comparisons are complex and time-consuming. However, they are important in order to get an accurate picture and then make a sensible decision. The time you invest here is worth money.
Checklist
No matter whether you choose a German or a Polish provider - you usually have to do the planning yourself. In other words: You should already know what exactly you want. Important points are:
- What material should the patio roof be made of? Wood, a combination of wood or aluminum and glass or pure aluminum are suitable for this.
- Should the roof be transparent or opaque?
- Should sun protection be integrated into a glass roof?
- Should it be installed on the house wall or alone using a support structure?
- Are foundations necessary for a support structure?
- What shape and size should the roofing have?
Part of the decision-making process is that you are aware that the wooden structure and glass roofs need to be maintained and cleaned regularly. Wood inevitably requires a new coat of paint at certain intervals. A glass roof, on the other hand, only makes sense, especially in summer, if it is cleaned regularly.
Polish full-service providers
Ingenious entrepreneurs from Poland have of course long since discovered the potential that the German market also offers when it comes to terrace roofing. They therefore also offer so-called complete solutions that include transport and assembly. Such providers can be found relatively easily on the Internet. However, the cost advantages are smaller. On the one hand, these providers know exactly what German companies require for a complete patio roof. On the other hand, you can of course also pay a surcharge for travel and working in other EU countries. You can still save money. If you are looking for a Polish full-service provider, you should definitely make sure that communication in German is also possible to avoid misunderstandings. It is also important to check the reliability of the provider. Important questions:
- How long has the provider been on the market?
- Can he provide references from Germany?
- Are there customer reviews?
- How does payment work?
By the way, a full-service provider from Poland should be prepared to examine the situation on site in advance. An on-site appointment is essential for this. It is quite possible that you will only receive a concrete offer after such an inspection. Polish full-service providers are certainly the optimal solution if you decide on a patio roof from Poland. You get everything from a single source and don't have to worry about delivery and assembly separately. Whether roofing from Poland actually pays off always depends on the individual case. In any case, the matter is not as simple as is often suggested.
