I usually recommend holding back a small portion until after the final sweep and walk-through—just seems fair for both sides.
That’s exactly what I did when we had our roof replaced last year. I was nervous about paying it all up front, especially after finding a couple of sneaky nails in the flowerbeds weeks later. The crew was great, but like you said, those things just have a mind of their own. Doing the magnet sweep together made me feel better, even if I still find one every now and then when I’m barefoot in the yard... At least now I know it’s not just my luck!
Holding back a bit until the final sweep is just smart—too many stories out there about folks paying in full and then finding leftover debris months later. Even with a good crew, nails have a way of hiding in the grass or mulch. I’ve done the magnet sweep myself after a big job and still found a few stragglers. It’s not just your luck; it’s almost inevitable with tear-offs. At least you got some peace of mind doing that last check together.
Every time I’ve had a roof job done, I swear I find a nail or two months later—usually right where I’m mowing in sandals. Even with the big rolling magnets, something always slips through. One time, I actually found a shingle scrap wedged behind a downspout after a heavy rain, weeks after the crew left. I get why folks hold back payment until that last walkthrough. It’s not about mistrust, just making sure you’re not left picking up the pieces (literally) after the dust settles. Anyone else ever find bits of old flashing in the garden beds?
“It’s not about mistrust, just making sure you’re not left picking up the pieces (literally) after the dust settles.”
That hits home. Even the best crews seem to miss a few things—those nails especially. I’ve done a couple roof tear-offs myself (asphalt shingles, Midwest climate), and even when I was being super careful with cleanup, I still found the odd nail weeks later. It’s wild how they work their way up out of the grass or mulch like they’re determined to be found by bare feet.
One thing that helped me: after the crew leaves, I run my own magnet roller in a crisscross pattern, then hit any garden beds or tight spots with a strong handheld magnet (the kind with a telescoping handle). Sometimes it feels overkill, but it’s crazy how often I’ll pick up another handful.
As for holding back payment, I’m right there with you. Not about being difficult—just making sure everything’s squared away. Last time, I made a checklist: gutters clear, no shingle scraps in downspouts, all flashing accounted for, and a final sweep for debris. Maybe it sounds nitpicky, but when you’re the one who has to deal with mower tire punctures or rust stains on the patio, it’s worth it.
I will say, some roofers genuinely do their best with cleanup. But yeah, “bits of old flashing in the garden beds”—I’ve found them too. Once found half a ridge vent stuck behind my hydrangea (no idea how that even got there).
If you’re dealing with clay soil or thick grass, stuff hides even better. Not sure there’s ever a 100% perfect cleanup unless you do it yourself. At this point, I just expect a little treasure hunt after any big project...but at least it keeps me on my toes.
Hang in there—it’s normal to double-check and make sure you’re not left with surprises later.
That’s pretty much my experience too—no matter how thorough a crew claims to be, there’s always something left behind. I’ve seen nails show up months later, especially after a heavy rain or when the ground finally thaws in spring. Even with a magnetic sweep, it’s like they’re hiding out for the long game.
I get why folks hold back final payment until they’ve walked the property themselves. Too many times I’ve seen “final cleanup” mean just a quick once-over, and then you’re the one dealing with the aftermath. I’m not saying every roofer cuts corners, but I’ve had more than one job where I found shingle bits in the gutters or a random vent cap under a bush. It’s not about being difficult—it’s just about making sure you’re not left with a mess.
Curious if anyone’s ever had a contractor actually offer a post-job walkthrough with you? I’ve only had that happen once, and honestly, it made a big difference in catching stuff before signing off. Or is that just wishful thinking for most jobs?