"Asking for references from jobs done several years ago is smart—anyone can show you fresh work that looks good today, but how does it hold up after a few winters?"
Exactly this. A few years back, I went with a mid-priced roofer who had glowing recent reviews. Roof looked amazing at first, but after just two winters, shingles started lifting and curling. Turns out they'd skimped on underlayment and ventilation...lesson learned the hard way. Price matters, sure, but long-term performance is where the real value is.
A few years back, I went with a mid-priced roofer who had glowing recent reviews. Roof looked amazing at first, but after just two winters, shingles started lifting and curling.
I get the point about checking older references, but honestly, even higher-priced roofers can have issues. I've seen premium shingles fail prematurely because the installer didn't follow the manufacturer's specs exactly—like nailing patterns or proper attic ventilation. It's not always about price or even reputation; it's about attention to detail and following guidelines precisely. Sometimes a mid-priced contractor who's meticulous beats a pricey one cutting corners due to tight scheduling...
Yeah, exactly this. I've seen roofs done by pricey outfits that looked great initially but had issues within a year or two because of rushed installs. Like you said:
"It's not always about price or even reputation; it's about attention to detail and following guidelines precisely."
Honestly, a careful installer who takes their time beats flashy marketing any day...
- Yep, learned this the hard way myself—went mid-range thinking it'd be safe.
- Installer rushed it; had leaks within months. 🙄
- Next time, I'm grilling them on install process details...lesson learned.
"Installer rushed it; had leaks within months. 🙄"
Yeah, that's exactly why I'm always skeptical about mid-range bids. Honestly, it's less about price and more about the installer's knowledge and attention to detail. I've seen high-end roofs fail because the installer cut corners...and budget roofs last decades when done right. Personally, I lean toward green roofing options—initially pricier, sure, but fewer headaches down the road if you get someone who knows their stuff. Just gotta grill 'em good first!
