Are you looking for a roofing contractor to repair your roof leak or replace your roof altogether? Are you trying to hire one based on price alone? If so, you’re probably trying to find the cheapest contractor in your area. 

Be warned, hiring a cheap one comes with multiple problems that will cause you headaches and stress. But what are these risks? 

The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been offering high-quality roofing services to the residents of Nashville since 1990. We know what it takes to give you a roof that lasts for decades. When you work with us, you’ll never have to worry about your roof again.  

So, what are the risks you take when you hire a cheap roofing contractor? Always eager to educate people on the dangers of cheap work in the roofing industry, I’m going to answer that question. 

Continue reading to learn the 5 risks of working with a cheap roofing contractor.  

1. The roofing contractor might not be around when there’s a problem

If you hire a newer roofing company that’s only a couple of years old, chances are their prices will be the cheapest in your area. It can be tempting to hire these young roofing companies because of their low prices, but the problem is that they don’t know how to price jobs correctly to have retained earnings at the end of the year to get them through the winter months.

This is when the cheaper roofing company will shut down, leaving your roof investment with no long term protection. That's not to say there aren’t good young companies in your area that do quality work. 

However, five years from now, you want to make sure the company will still be there to take care of your roof investment and whatever problems come up. To get the best possible roofing services, it’s crucial to hire a local roofing contractor that’s established and has a strong history in your area.

To learn more about why you need to know how long a contractor has been around, read this article on why it matters how long a roofing contractor has been in business. 

2. You get the quality of roof you pay for

When you invest in a roof system, it’s going to cost more for quality labor, roofing materials, and components. I understand everyone is on a budget, but if you hire the cheapest roofing contractor it’s going to show up in the final quality of your roof.

For example, they could cut corners by not installing crucial components like drip edge and underlayment. No matter what crucial installation steps they skip, it will ultimately lead to roof leaks and more stress for you. 

Hiring a cheap contractor means you’ll get the cheapest components and cheapest labor available, which sets your roof up for premature failure right off the bat. That makes investing in quality from the beginning crucial anytime you need repairs or a full roof replacement. 

3. You’ll pay more money in the long run from poor workmanship

Remember, when you hire the cheapest roofing contractor, it shows in the finished quality of your roof. Getting the cheapest roof possible might seem like your only option, but a roof is an investment.

The last thing you want is to pay more out of your pocket after spending thousands of dollars on a new roof. When you hire a cheap roofing contractor, that’s exactly what will happen and you’ll have roof problems sooner rather than later. 

These problems might not show up right away, but eventually, you’ll end up spending more money in the long run with repairs and eventually a full roof replacement. To learn more about how going with the cheapest options can affect your roof, read this article on 3 ways “cheap” roof systems cost you more in the long run. 

4. Your roof won’t last as long as it should 

Just like hiring a cheap roofing contractor will affect the end quality of your roof and will cost you more money in the long run, it also affects your roof’s lifespan. When you hire a contractor for their low price, I can guarantee your roof’s life will not be what the contractor said it would be.

For example, a 3 tab asphalt shingle roof has a lifespan of around 25 years. When you hire the cheapest roofing contractor, you won’t get anywhere near this lifespan. 

The reason for this is you’re going to get the cheapest materials and the cheapest labor to install your roof. This will lead to improper roof installation and other problems, which always leads to premature roof failure. 

They could cut corners, use incorrect roofing techniques, or not check your attic for adequate ventilation. Problems might not show up right away from hiring a cheap roofing company, but eventually, your roof will have leaks. 

5. You won’t get the best roof warranties available 

When you get a new roof, you’ll have two warranties. You’ll have one on the contractor’s workmanship and one from the manufacturer on your roofing materials. 

If you get a dimensional asphalt shingle roof and use all of the manufacturer’s roofing components, you can register your roof with the manufacturer to receive the enhanced warranty. This warranty guarantees they’ll cover labor, materials, dump fees, non-prorated for 50 years if there is a defect in their materials.

However, when you hire a contractor for their cheap prices, I can guarantee you won’t qualify for the enhanced warranty. Even if you do somehow qualify for this warranty, it’s highly likely it’ll be voided because of improper installation or inadequate attic ventilation.

This only leaves the cheap roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty to rely on. Because you used the cheapest company around, you’re going to get anywhere from a tail light warranty (as soon as you see their company truck’s tail lights disappear your warranty is gone), to a two-year, or possibly a five-year warranty.

It’s highly unlikely a contractor is going to give more than a five-year warranty on their workmanship for something they know is going to have continuous problems down the road. They just want to get through the warranty period before your roof fails completely, and they have to pay to fix it.

To learn more about your warranty options, read this article on what roof warranties cover (types and how long they last). 

How do you find a quality roofing contractor?

Now you know why you shouldn’t hire a cheap roofing contractor. Knowing these 5 risks helps you avoid wasting your hard-earned money on a roof that won’t reach its full potential. 

When you hire a roofing contractor based on the price alone, I can guarantee you’ll have headaches from the problems your roof will face. 

If you shouldn’t hire a roofing contractor based on their prices, then how do you find a reputable one in your area? To help you do this, we're going to give you the 7 tips every homeowner needs to find a great roofing contractor. 

The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided high-quality roof repairs and replacements in the Nashville area since 1990. Our workmanship ensures your roof investment is maximized. That’s why we offer a lifetime warranty. 

Check out 7 Tips to Find a Great Roofing Contractor to hire a high-quality roofing company to take care of your roofing needs.

checklist of questions to ask a roofing contractor