Corners Contractors Cut to Win the Bid

When one roofing bid comes in well under the others, people assume that contractor is just more efficient or hungrier for the work. Sometimes. But far more often, the cheaper bid is cheaper because something got left out. Here are the corners that get cut — the ones you usually can't see from the driveway.

Cheaper underlayment. Spec felt instead of a synthetic or self-adhered system and you've saved real money on the layer the homeowner will never look at. (See the underlayment article — this is one of the most common.)

Reusing flashing and vents. Leaving the old, tired flashing and vents in place instead of replacing them on a tear-off. Saves labor and material now, costs you a leak later.

Not replacing rotten decking. Roofing right over soft or rotten wood instead of replacing it — or "finding" it later as a surprise charge once you have no leverage.

Skipping the steps on tile. Screw-set instead of adhesive where adhesive belongs; skipping wall tray, captive valleys, or proper steep-slope detailing. (See the tile screw-set article.)

Painting over old metal. Repainting old, rusting flashing or roof metal to make it look new rather than replacing it.

Fewer fasteners than code calls for. Spacing nails or screws wider than they should — faster install, weaker roof, a real problem when the wind comes.

Skipping the permit. Doing the job without pulling a permit to save time and fees, which leaves you with an unpermitted roof that can become a problem when you sell or file a claim.

None of these show up in a photo of the finished roof. That's exactly why they're the corners that get cut. The defense isn't to become a roofer yourself — it's to make every bid spell these items out in writing, so the cheap bid has to either include them or admit it doesn't.