sometimes you gotta work with what you’ve got.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. I’m always looking for the most cost-effective fix, and sometimes those gadgets are the only realistic option—especially in older houses where “doing it right” means tearing half the place apart. Solar fans aren’t perfect, but if they keep the attic from turning into an oven and you can’t swing a full vent redo, I say it’s a win. Not every house is a blank slate, right?
I hear you on the “work with what you’ve got” front. I manage a bunch of older properties and, honestly, sometimes you’re just patching things up to get through another season. Full vent redo? In some of these places, that’d mean demo’ing half the attic and probably discovering a bunch of other surprises along the way. Not always worth it unless you’re already gutting the place.
On Empire Roofing—haven’t used them myself, but I’ve had a few neighbors go that route after last year’s hail mess. Mixed reviews, to be honest. One guy swears by them, said they handled his insurance claim and got the whole shingle roof replaced in under two weeks. Another friend had some issues with communication—crew showed up late a couple days, and there was a bit of back-and-forth about cleanup. Nothing major, but if you’re picky about timelines or want daily updates, might be worth mentioning upfront.
If you’re dealing with an older roof (especially those 20+ year asphalt jobs), I’d say ask about their underlayment options. Some companies still default to felt, but synthetic holds up better in our humidity. Learned that one the hard way when a “quick fix” turned into a moldy mess after a summer storm blew off a few shingles.
One thing I always do: walk the property with the crew lead before they start and again before they leave. Saves headaches later if something’s not right or if they missed a pile of nails in the grass (ask me how I know...).
Solar fans are kind of like that too—sometimes it’s just about keeping things manageable until you can budget for a bigger overhaul. Not perfect, but better than roasting your attic (and your AC bill) all summer.
Bottom line, no contractor is perfect, especially in Orlando where everyone’s slammed after storms. Just keep expectations realistic, get everything in writing, and don’t be afraid to speak up if something feels off during the job.
I’ve actually gotten a quote from Empire Roofing, but ended up going with a different company last year after the big hailstorm. Their price was competitive, but I got a weird vibe from the sales guy—he was pushing hard for an “upgrade” package that didn’t seem necessary for my 22-year-old asphalt roof. Maybe that’s just standard sales tactics, but it rubbed me the wrong way.
I’m with you on the underlayment. I specifically asked about synthetic vs. felt, and Empire’s rep said they “usually” use felt unless you request otherwise. That’s a red flag for me in Florida—felt just doesn’t cut it with our humidity and storms. The company I went with (not naming names, but they’re local and smaller) defaulted to synthetic and explained the difference without me even asking. That kind of transparency matters, especially when you’re spending thousands.
One thing I’d add: if you’re on a tight budget, don’t let them talk you into a bunch of extras unless you really need them. I almost got upsold on ridge vents and “premium” shingles, but after doing some research, I realized my roof’s pitch and attic layout didn’t even benefit from the fancy stuff. Sometimes the basics are fine, especially if you’re just trying to get a few more years out of an old roof.
And yeah, the cleanup thing is real. I still find the occasional nail in my yard, and that’s after two sweeps with a magnet. If you’re detail-oriented (like me), make sure you do that final walk-through. It’s tedious, but worth it—my neighbor’s kid stepped on a roofing nail barefoot, and that was a whole ordeal.
Bottom line, Empire’s not the worst, but I’d say read the fine print, ask about materials, and don’t be afraid to push back on upsells. In Orlando, you’re paying for speed after a storm, but sometimes that means corners get cut. If you’re willing to wait a bit longer, you might get better attention to detail from a smaller outfit. Just my two cents.
- Had Empire out for a quote after Irma—felt like I was buying a used car, not a roof. The “upgrade” pitch was strong, but my wallet said nope.
- Totally agree on the underlayment. Florida + felt = soggy regrets. I asked for synthetic and got a blank stare.
- Cleanup is always a mess. I still find shingle bits in my gutters two years later... and I’m not even sure they’re from my roof.
- My take: if you’re handy, double-check everything before you sign. The little stuff adds up fast, especially with bigger companies in a rush.
- Did a couple walk-throughs with Empire crews on job sites. Sales pitch was definitely pushy, but their install guys seemed solid—just rushed.
- Synthetic underlayment is a must here, totally agree. Surprised they acted clueless.
- Cleanup’s always a pain. I’ve seen nails and shingle scraps left behind even after “final” sweeps.
- Double-checking details is huge. Saw a missed vent flashing once—easy fix if you catch it, big headache if you don’t.