I’ve chased a few low bids over the years and honestly, it’s almost always ended up costing more in the long run. The last time, the “cheap” roofer didn’t include drip edge because “it’s not required”—except, it totally is here. Had to get it redone after water started seeping behind the gutters. Has anyone actually had a budget job hold up for more than a few years? Maybe it depends on the type of work or just luck...
I get where you’re coming from—cutting corners on a roof can turn into a nightmare fast. But I’ve actually seen a couple of budget jobs hold up, though it’s rare and usually comes down to the crew, not just the price. For example, my neighbor went with a small local outfit for a flat roof install (EPDM membrane, nothing fancy) and it’s been solid for six years now. No leaks, no weird bubbling, and we get some nasty freeze-thaw cycles here in the Midwest. The difference? The guy was obsessed with prep work and didn’t skip steps, even if his bid was lower.
That said, I think the bigger issue is transparency. A lot of “cheap” bids leave out stuff like drip edge or proper flashing because they know most folks won’t notice until it’s too late. But I’ve also seen expensive contractors cut corners—price isn’t always a guarantee of quality. Sometimes you’re just paying for a big company’s overhead.
I’m curious if anyone’s tried going with green or recycled materials on a budget? I’ve been pushing for more sustainable options, but the upfront cost is always higher. Still, I wonder if there are ways to keep costs down without sacrificing the basics—like making sure water management is handled right. Has anyone managed to get a green roof or even just recycled shingles installed without breaking the bank? Or is that just wishful thinking at this point?
Honestly, I’d rather pay a bit more for someone who’ll actually explain what’s included and why it matters. But I get that not everyone has the budget for top-tier work. Maybe the trick is finding someone who cares about their reputation more than squeezing every penny out of a job... easier said than done, though.
A lot of “cheap” bids leave out stuff like drip edge or proper flashing because they know most folks won’t notice until it’s too late. But I’ve also seen expensive contractors cut corners—price isn’t always a guarantee of quality.
That right there is the root of it. I’ve seen “premium” jobs where the crew just slapped on the new shingles over rotten decking and called it a day. Meanwhile, the guy with the rusty pickup and a three-man crew spent half his time fixing the little stuff no one ever sees. Sometimes it’s like playing contractor roulette.
On the green/recycled materials side, I’ve poked around a bit. I wanted to try recycled rubber shingles after a hailstorm trashed my old asphalt roof last year. The sticker shock was real—materials alone were double what basic asphalt cost, and most local roofers acted like I’d asked them to install a spaceship. Ended up going with regular architectural shingles, but I did splurge on better underlayment and made sure they actually replaced all the flashing. Not exactly “green,” but at least it won’t leak every time we get sideways rain.
I don’t think it’s wishful thinking to get a sustainable roof on a budget, but you have to be willing to do some legwork. Sometimes you can find deals on overstock or discontinued lines if you’re not picky about color. I’ve also heard of folks teaming up with neighbors for a bulk order, though I haven’t tried that myself. The real trick is finding a crew that’s open to something new and won’t treat your house like a guinea pig.
And yeah, transparency is everything. I’d rather have someone walk me through the bid and explain why they’re charging for ice & water shield, even if it means paying a bit more. The “just trust me” types are usually the ones who disappear when you call about a leak six months later.
If you ever do pull off a green roof without draining your savings, I’d love to hear how you managed it. Around here, even getting someone to return your call about recycled shingles feels like a win.
You nailed it about the “contractor roulette”—I’ve seen million-dollar commercial jobs where the bid looked airtight, but then you find out they skipped the ice & water shield on the north side because “it never gets sun.” Drives me nuts. The green material thing is a tough sell in my area too. I had a client ask about solar shingles and the supply house just laughed. Sometimes the only way to get a sustainable roof is to be stubborn and do a lot of the research yourself. I wish more folks realized that the cheapest bid almost always comes with a catch, but even the high-end guys need watching. I always tell people: ask for photos of the work in progress, not just the finished roof. That’s where you see who’s actually doing it right.
Had a similar situation with my garage roof a few years back—contractor swore up and down he was using all the right layers, but when I poked around during install, half the underlayment was missing on the shady side. Ended up insisting on photos too. Wild what gets skipped when no one’s looking.
