That’s what I keep hearing about double-layering—seems like it can cause more headaches down the road. But then again, the cost of a full tear-off is no joke. Has anyone had luck negotiating with contractors for a better price on a full replacement?
Picking between the two options really tripped me up too. I got a bunch of quotes last fall and honestly, the price difference between layering and a full tear-off made my eyes water. But I kept reading that double-layering could void warranties or hide wood rot, which stressed me out even more.
What helped me with negotiating was getting at least three estimates, then just being really upfront with each contractor about what the others were quoting. It felt awkward at first, but a couple of them actually budged a bit when they knew I was shopping around. I also asked if there were cheaper shingle options or if I could skip stuff like upgraded underlayment. Not everything made sense to cut, but some things did.
It’s still not cheap, but I felt better knowing I’d tried every angle. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you feel clueless—I sure did. Most contractors seemed used to it. The whole process is kind of overwhelming, but you’re definitely not alone in feeling confused.
Man, I totally get where you’re coming from. I remember standing in my driveway with three different quotes in hand, just staring at them like they were in another language. The price jump for a full tear-off was wild, but I kept hearing horror stories about hidden rot under double layers too. It’s a lot to weigh, especially when you’re not a roofing pro.
I felt awkward pushing back on contractors at first, but you’re right—they really don’t seem to mind. I ended up skipping the fancy underlayment and went with a mid-range shingle, which helped a bit. Still expensive, but at least I felt like I’d done my homework. You’re definitely not alone in feeling overwhelmed by all the options.
That’s exactly how I felt—just staring at those quotes and trying to figure out if the extra cost for a tear-off was actually worth it. I kept wondering if I’d regret saving a few bucks now if something nasty showed up later (like mold or rot). Did you worry about warranties at all? I heard some manufacturers won’t cover things if you just layer over old shingles. I ended up going with a full tear-off, but honestly, I still question if I made the right call sometimes.
I get where you’re coming from. I went back and forth on this too, especially after hearing about those warranty issues. In the end, I did a tear-off and yeah, it cost more up front, but I sleep better knowing there’s no hidden rot under there. It’s tough to know for sure, but you probably made the right call.
