"Totally agree on the certification thing being a bit overrated. My neighbor went with a certified installer and had leaks within 3 years."
Yeah, I get where you're coming from, but honestly, I'd be cautious about generalizing from one or two experiences. I've managed properties for years, and while I've seen some uncertified guys do amazing work (like your handyman), I've also seen plenty of DIY or uncertified jobs turn into nightmares down the road. Certification doesn't guarantee perfection, sure, but it usually means the installer has at least some formal training and accountability if things go south.
Also, keep in mind that warranties can be tricky—some manufacturers won't honor them unless you use their certified installers. So even if your handyman does a stellar job, you might lose out on warranty coverage if something unexpected happens later.
Bottom line: certifications aren't everything, but they're not meaningless either. I'd say it's more about vetting the individual installer thoroughly—certified or not—and checking references carefully before making a decision.
I had a similar experience when I redid my roof a few years back. Went with a certified installer thinking it'd be safer warranty-wise, but ended up having some flashing issues anyway. Luckily, the certification did help in getting them back out to fix it without extra charges. So yeah, certification isn't foolproof, but it can save you headaches if something does go wrong later on...just my two cents.
"certification isn't foolproof, but it can save you headaches if something does go wrong later on..."
Yeah, learned that lesson myself the hard way. A couple years ago, I had to oversee a roof replacement for one of our buildings. Thought I'd be clever and save some cash by skipping the certified installer—big mistake. The crew we hired seemed solid at first, but after the first heavy rainstorm, tenants started calling about mysterious indoor waterfalls...not exactly the water feature upgrade they were hoping for.
Turns out, flashing was installed incorrectly around the chimneys and vents. Getting those guys back out to fix their mess was like pulling teeth—ended up costing us more in repairs than if we'd just gone certified from the start. So yeah, certification might not guarantee perfection, but at least you've got some leverage when things inevitably go sideways. Lesson learned: sometimes being cheap ends up being expensive...
"sometimes being cheap ends up being expensive..."
Couldn't agree more with this. I've seen it firsthand plenty of times—folks trying to cut corners by skipping certified installers, then ending up paying double to fix avoidable mistakes. Certification isn't just about quality assurance; it gives you some solid backup if things get messy later. I'd say budget carefully, but don't skimp on the installer...your future self (and wallet) will thank you later.
- Definitely true about certified installers—been down that road myself.
- Also, don't forget to factor in some wiggle room for unexpected issues (rotten decking, flashing problems...).
- Get multiple quotes; prices can vary quite a bit even among certified pros.
- Check if your homeowner's insurance offers discounts for certain shingles or installation methods—saved me a decent amount last time.
