Why Do Some Roofers Have a Bad Reputation? (And How to Avoid Hiring One)
When it comes to roofing, we've all heard horror stories ranging from crews that never show up to surprise invoices and botched installs. The roofing industry doesn't have the best reputation, but do these negative claims hold any truth? What is it about roofing contractors that leads so many homeowners to feel frustrated or taken advantage of?
At Happy Roofing, we've worked with hundreds of homeowners throughout the Naperville area, and we've heard about varying poor experiences with less-than-reputable contractors. We're not trying to bash anyone, nor do we want it to sound like the majority of roofing contractors are bad, but we've seen firsthand how these poor roofing experiences can erode trust.
In this article, you'll learn why some roofers give the industry a bad name and how to spot the red flags before it's too late. By the end, you'll know exactly what to look for in a trustworthy roofing contractor so you can make a confident, informed decision when it's time to replace or repair your roof.
Table of Contents
- Why Some Roofing Contractors Have a Bad Reputation
- How to Avoid Hiring an Untrustworthy Roofer
- How to Find the Right Roofer for You
Why Do Some Roofing Contractors Have a Bad Reputation?
Some roofers prioritize speed and sales over skill and work quality. As a licensed roofing contractor, we've seen how low the barrier to entry in the roofing industry is (as long as you can pass the licensing test), and unfortunately, that opens the door for underqualified or dishonest contractors.
Like with most tests, if you study enough, you can pass. But passing a test doesn't mean you can deliver quality work. That's how people with minimal hands-on experience, or bad intentions, can still get licensed and start selling roofs.
Whether it's pressure-filled sales tactics, vague contracts, or poor workmanship, these experiences have become all too common. That's why legitimate roofing companies can struggle with trust, and why homeowners need to be especially careful when choosing who to work with.
Here are some of the biggest issues we see that contribute to the industry's poor image:
1. Lack of Licensing or Oversight
In some states, including Illinois, roofing is relatively lightly regulated - making it easy for underqualified or inexperienced contractors to enter the field. While the roofing contractor licensing test can be difficult, as long as you can pass, you've got most of what you need to be a qualified roofer in Illinois.
Some "roofers" even operate without insurance or proper licensing, which puts homeowners at serious risk if something goes wrong. If you're ever unsure, ask your contractor for their roofing license number. A reputable contractor won't hesitate to provide you with verification that they're legally allowed to work as a contractor in Illinois.
2. Little Supervision or Accountability
Many roofing companies don't have their own in-house crews. Instead, they outsource the labor to subcontractors. This isn't a problem in itself, and it's actually what we do here at Happy Roofing with a dedicated subcontracting crew that we've worked with repeatedly and developed a relationship with over the years.
The problem comes when many different subcontractors are used to complete a contractor's work without direct oversight from the contractor themselves. Without anyone to hold individual subcontractors accountable for their work, quality control can drop, corners can get cut, and if there's a problem, the company may dodge accountability (instead pointing the finger at the subcontracting crew).
You can ask your contractor if they've previously worked with the crew that will be performing the work on your roof, and who will be supervising. If they can't give you a straight answer, that's a red flag.
3. Lack of Communication
Another point of frustration for homeowners is when a contractor leaves them in the dark. Roofers who show up unannounced, disappear for days, or provide vague timelines with no follow‑up can cause more confusion than solutions.
In some cases, the breakdown happens after the deposit is paid. We've heard of contractors who are very responsive while they're working with the homeowner to get materials chosen and a contract signed, but the minute they get that signature and a deposit changes hands, communication slows (or stops altogether).
This lack of transparency creates stress and uncertainty. Roofing is already a disruptive process, and poor communication only makes a stressful situation that much worse. Clear, consistent communication shouldn't be viewed as going "above and beyond." It should be the baseline from the moment you reach out to a contractor.
4. Sales-first Mindsets
Some roofing companies operate more like pure sales teams than service providers. Their primary focus isn't on the quality of the install; it's more focused on closing the deal as quickly as possible.
This mindset is especially common among storm chasers (contractors who flood into a region after a hailstorm or severe weather event). They knock on doors aggressively, offer to "inspect your roof for damage," and push homeowners to sign contracts fast, often without taking the time to explain the scope of work or verify if a replacement is even needed.
Once the job is sold, companies that prioritize quantity often:
- Use random or out-of-town crews with little supervision and accountability
- Provide an inconsistent quality of work
- Set unrealistic expectations ("We can get you a new roof completely free through insurance!")
- Have confusing (or frustrating) warranty filing systems, especially if they're from out of town and need to plan a trip to your home to inspect your roof again
Not every roofer who knocks on your door has ill intent, and there are some reputable roofing contractors who handle insurance claims the right way, with the homeowner's best interests in mind. The key is to be wary of those who are pushing you to make a decision the same day, and allow yourself time to do research on your own before making any decisions.
To learn more about door-to-door roofers, read our article: What You Need To Know If A Roofer Knocked on Your Door After a Storm.
5. Unrealistically Low Quotes
Everyone wants a good deal, especially on something as major as a roofing project. But when a roofing quote comes in way below the others (like thousands of dollars below other quotes you've received), it's often too good to be true. Rather than the savings of a lifetime, you could end up paying even more over time for repeat repairs that come far too early.
Low bids may look appealing at first, but they can come with their own set of drawbacks:
- Inferior materials that don't hold up over time: Some low-cost contractors use the cheapest shingles, fasteners, and underlayments possible. For example, we constantly see staples used for securing underlayment (these can rip the underlayment and lead to leaks) in place of the proper cap nails (nails with a plastic or metal cap that evenly secure the underlayment, don't cause tears, and provide a watertight seal). These materials often degrade faster, void warranties, or fail to withstand the rapid temperature changes we see in Northern Illinois.
- Inexperienced or underpaid crews who rush through the job: Cheap bids often rely on labor crews with little training, poor oversight, or minimal roofing experience. To make up for slim margins, crews may rush installs, overlook details, or ignore safety protocols, leading to costly issues down the line.
- Skipped installation steps: Cutting corners on installation is common in low-bid jobs. Contractors may skip or shortcut replacing essential components like flashing around chimneys and valleys, assessing attic ventilation systems, or replacing any of the wooden roof decking before installing new shingles. These omissions can cause leaks, wood rot, mold growth, and early roof failure, even if the shingles themselves look good on the outside.
- Surprise change orders: In some cases, roofers bait homeowners with a cheap quote, only to upsell mid-project or tack on surprise charges after work begins, leaving you with little room to say no. There are situations where no contractor can be 100% about what the true cost will be until existing materials are removed (like the condition of the roof decking), but your roofer should bring this up ahead of time so you're aware of any variables.
How To Avoid Hiring the Wrong Roofer
The best way to protect yourself from a bad roofing experience is to watch for the warning signs. How a contractor sells, communicates, and prices their work tells you a lot about how they'll treat your home.
Use this table as a quick reference when evaluating any roofer:
| If a contractor... | Then you… |
|---|---|
| Gives you a quote significantly lower than others, with vague explanations | Should be cautious. It likely means they're cutting corners on materials, labor, or installation steps to maintain such low costs. |
| Can tell you what brand or grade of shingles they use, and explain why their quote includes what it does | Can likely trust them. Trustworthy contractors are upfront about the products they install and are happy to explain their recommendations. |
| Subcontracts the labor but doesn't oversee the crew | Should proceed with caution. Lack of supervision often leads to inconsistent quality, and it's important to verify that someone will be supervising and maintaining quality workmanship. |
| Pressures you to sign quickly, especially if they knock on your door | Should be skeptical. This is a common tactic used by storm chasers or contractors who are more focused on volume than quality. |
| Becomes hard to reach after you pay a deposit | Should be cautious. Poor communication before the job often signals poor service during and after. |
| Offers no written warranty or vague warranty terms | Should be cautious. A reputable roofer will clearly explain what's covered and for how long, as well as how to register. |
| Prioritizes education and explains your options without pressuring you to make a decision | Can most likely trust them. This shows they're focused on helping you make the right decision, not just making a sale. |
How to Find the Right Roofer for You
The key to finding the right roofer for you is choosing a partner who communicates clearly, stands behind their work, and whose process is aligned with your long-term goals.
The roofing industry's bad reputation didn't come from nowhere, but it doesn't have to be your experience. When you know what to watch out for, you can protect yourself from poor workmanship, false promises, and expensive surprises. It's important that you're allowed to do your own research, ask questions, and get as much information as possible before making your decision.
If you want to see what it's like to work with Happy Roofing, read our next article: What It's Like to Work With Happy Roofing? - What to Expect When You Partner With Us. It outlines what our roofing process is like, so you can see if it would work well with you without needing to call first.
If you're ready for a professional assessment of your roof's health, we offer no-commitment consultations to give you clarity without the obligation to move forward with us.
