Pushy sales tactics seem to be the norm with a lot of the bigger outfits, but I’d rather deal with a pushy salesperson than a sloppy install crew. Rushed work is a red flag for me, though. I’ve seen too many jobs where installers cut corners just to hit their daily quota, and it’s usually the little stuff—like missed flashings or poorly nailed shingles—that comes back to bite you a year or two down the road.
Synthetic underlayment is non-negotiable in Florida, especially with our storms and humidity. If a crew acts confused about that, I’d start questioning how up-to-date they are on code and best practices. Cleanup is always hit or miss, but honestly, I’ve never seen a site that was 100% spotless after a roof job. The magnet roller helps, but nails still turn up in the grass for weeks.
Double-checking details is huge. I always tell folks to walk the roof with the foreman before signing off. One missed vent flashing can mean a hidden leak and a world of trouble later. You’re right—it’s an easy fix if you catch it, but a real pain if you don’t. Good on you for paying attention to the details most people miss.
You nailed it about the difference between a pushy sales pitch and a sloppy install. I’ve seen plenty of roofs where the paperwork was perfect but the work up top was a mess—missing drip edge, exposed fasteners, you name it. It’s always the little things that come back to haunt you, especially in Florida. I’ve crawled through enough attics after a few good storms to know a missed flashing or a shortcut on underlayment can mean water stains and mold before you know it.
Synthetic underlayment really is the baseline here. I remember one job where the crew tried to use old-school felt because “that’s what they had on the truck.” The homeowner caught it, thankfully, but if he hadn’t, that roof would’ve been asking for trouble. It’s wild how some crews still try to cut corners, even with all the code changes after the last round of hurricanes.
Cleanup is always a sore spot. I’ve yet to see a site where you don’t find a stray nail or two in the grass a week later. I tell folks to check their tires for a while after a job wraps up—learned that one the hard way.
Walking the roof with the foreman is solid advice. I’ve seen homeowners sign off from the driveway, then call me six months later when water’s dripping through a light fixture. One missed vent or a loose shingle is all it takes. You’re right to focus on those details. Most people just want the job done and don’t realize how much can go wrong if you don’t double-check.
You’re on the right track keeping an eye on the install, not just the sales pitch. That’s where the real problems start or get solved.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen synthetic underlayment fail too—especially the cheap stuff some crews use to save a buck. Not saying felt is better, but it’s not always black and white. Sometimes it’s more about the crew’s attention to detail than the material itself.
Sometimes it’s more about the crew’s attention to detail than the material itself.
That’s honestly what worries me the most—like, you can buy the “good” synthetic underlayment, but if the crew’s just rushing or cutting corners, does it even matter? I’ve seen neighbors get new roofs with all the fancy materials, and then a year later they’re patching leaks because the install was sloppy. Makes me wonder if paying extra for the name brand stuff is worth it, or if I should just focus on finding a crew that actually cares.
I’m in Orlando too, and with all the storms we get, I’m not sure if felt would hold up any better. Has anyone had Empire do a job where they actually took the time to explain what they were using and why? I’m trying to avoid getting stuck with the “cheap stuff” just because I’m on a budget, but I also don’t want to overpay for something that’s just marketing.
It’s tough to know what’s hype and what’s actually going to last, especially when you’re not up there watching every nail go in.