Yeah, good points all around. Premium shingles can definitely help, but honestly, installation quality matters just as much—maybe even more. I've seen expensive shingles fail early because the crew cut corners on underlayment or flashing. So, if you're leaning toward premium materials, make sure you're equally picky about who installs them. A solid install with mid-range shingles often beats a sloppy job with top-tier stuff...just something to keep in mind.
Totally agree with you on installation quality—seen it firsthand myself. Premium shingles are great, but they're not magic...a rushed or careless install can undo all the benefits. Good advice to anyone feeling overwhelmed by bids. Hang in there, you're on the right track.
Yeah, installation really is the make-or-break factor. Reminds me of a storm damage inspection I did a couple years back—two houses side by side, same storm, same shingles. One roof was practically untouched, the other looked like it'd been through a blender. Turns out the second homeowner had gone with the cheapest bid he could find, and the crew had rushed through the install. Nails were popping out everywhere, shingles weren't properly sealed...it was a mess.
But here's something else to consider: sometimes those huge jumps between bids aren't just about quality or materials. I've seen reputable companies quote wildly different prices simply because they're factoring in different things—like warranty coverage, cleanup and disposal fees, or even how busy they are at the moment. One company might be slammed and quote higher just because they don't really need the job right now, while another might be hungry for work and price aggressively.
I usually tell folks to ask detailed questions about what's included in each bid. Are they removing and disposing of old shingles? How thorough is their cleanup afterward? Do they handle permits and inspections? Those little details can add up fast if they're not included upfront.
Curious if anyone's run into unexpected costs after choosing what seemed like a good deal initially. I've definitely seen homeowners get blindsided by extra charges halfway through a project...
"Curious if anyone's run into unexpected costs after choosing what seemed like a good deal initially."
Yeah, I've seen this happen more times than I'd like to admit. Had a homeowner last year who thought he'd scored big with a low bid...until the crew started charging extra for hauling away debris and even for basic flashing around vents. Suddenly, that "great deal" wasn't so great anymore. Always pays to read the fine print and ask questions upfront—saves headaches later on.
"Always pays to read the fine print and ask questions upfront—saves headaches later on."
Couldn't agree more. I've learned the hard way that some contractors keep their initial bids low by leaving out essential details like permits, disposal fees, or even basic materials. Last summer, I thought I'd found a bargain until I realized the quote didn't include proper insulation upgrades...ended up costing me significantly more in energy bills down the line. Definitely worth clarifying exactly what's included before signing anything.
