5 Roofing Myths That Could Cost You Thousands
Every industry has its myths—those widely believed "facts" that seem to make sense but are actually costing people money, time, and peace of mind. Roofing is no exception. In fact, roofing might have more persistent myths than most industries because homeowners only deal with roof issues every 15-25 years. That infrequency means misinformation gets passed down through neighbors, repeated on internet forums, and accepted as truth without much scrutiny.
The problem? These myths aren't just harmless misconceptions. They lead to poor decisions that cost Maine homeowners thousands of dollars in unnecessary expenses, premature roof failure, and emergency repairs that could have been prevented. We've seen it happen over and over: a homeowner believes one of these myths, makes a decision based on it, and ends up calling us a year later facing a much bigger, more expensive problem.
Let's separate fact from fiction. Here are the five most expensive roofing myths we encounter, why they're wrong, and what you should believe instead.
Myth #1: All Roofers Are Basically the Same
The Myth
"Roofing is roofing. One contractor is as good as another. They're all just nailing shingles to plywood, so I might as well go with whoever's available first or charges the least."
Why It's Wrong
The gap between a quality roofer and a mediocre one is enormous. Yes, they're both "nailing shingles," but that's like saying a Michelin-star chef and a fast-food cook are both "making food." The difference lies in expertise, attention to detail, material quality, and understanding of the complete roofing system.
A quality roofer understands that your roof is a system, not just shingles. They know proper underlayment installation, flashing techniques, ventilation requirements, ice and water shield placement, and how Maine's climate demands specific approaches. They understand building codes, manufacturer specifications, and how to address the underlying issues that caused your old roof to fail.
A mediocre roofer just covers your old problems with new shingles. They skip crucial steps to save time. They use inferior materials to pad their profit margins. They don't understand ventilation or why ice dams form. And when problems arise—which they will—they're nowhere to be found.
The Real Cost
We regularly see roofs that are only 5-8 years old but failing catastrophically because they were installed poorly. Shingles blow off because nailing was improper. Flashing leaks because it was never sealed correctly. Ice dams form immediately because ventilation was ignored. The homeowner saved maybe $2,000-3,000 on the initial installation and now faces a $15,000+ replacement a decade before it should have been necessary.
Here's a real example: A homeowner hired the cheapest bidder for a $7,500 roof. Three years later, they called us because water was pouring into their living room. The problem? The contractor hadn't installed ice and water shield at the eaves—a critical component in Maine. Repairing the water damage to ceilings, walls, and floors cost $8,000. Re-doing the roof properly cost another $10,000. That "bargain" roof ended up costing $25,500 instead of the $10,500 a quality contractor would have charged initially.
What to Believe Instead
Roofer quality varies dramatically. The difference between contractors isn't just cost—it's expertise, materials, warranties, insurance, and long-term reliability. Look for Maine Home Improvement Registration, proper insurance (general liability and workers' comp), manufacturer certifications, established local presence, and verifiable references. A roofer who's been in your community for 10+ years stakes their reputation on every job. A storm-chaser from out of state who disappears after the check clears doesn't.
Myth #2: The Cheapest Bid Is the Best Deal
The Myth
"I got five quotes for my roof. They all seem to be doing the same work, so obviously I should go with the lowest price. Why would I pay more for the exact same thing?"
Why It's Wrong
When one bid is significantly lower than others, it's not because that contractor is more efficient or generous. It's because they're cutting corners somewhere. The question isn't whether they're cutting corners—it's which corners they're cutting and whether you'll discover it before or after your roof fails.
Low-ball bids typically mean one or more of these things: inferior materials (the cheapest shingles, thinnest underlayment, minimal fasteners), inadequate labor (inexperienced crews rushing through jobs), skipped steps (no ice and water shield, improper flashing, inadequate ventilation), no insurance or workers' comp (your liability if someone gets hurt), or plans to upsell once work begins (the "low" bid becomes expensive once they "discover" issues).
Quality materials and skilled labor cost real money. When someone bids substantially below market rate, they're making up the difference somewhere. And that somewhere is usually the quality and longevity of your roof.
The Real Cost
The cheap bid saves you money upfront but costs you far more long-term. Your "30-year" shingles fail at 15 years. Your flashing leaks from day one. You have ice dams every single winter. And when you try to claim warranty coverage, you discover the contractor used non-approved installation methods that void the manufacturer's warranty.
We recently inspected a roof that was only two years old. The homeowner accepted a bid $4,000 below everyone else's. The contractor used 4 nails per shingle instead of the required 6. They installed zero ice and water shield. They didn't replace obviously rotted decking. Within two years, shingles were blowing off, water was leaking in three places, and the homeowner needed a complete re-roof. That $4,000 savings cost them an additional $12,000 in premature replacement plus water damage repairs.
What to Believe Instead
The best value isn't the lowest price—it's the best quality for a fair price. Get multiple quotes, but understand that they're not comparing apples to apples unless contractors are using identical materials and methods. Ask what's included: ice and water shield? Synthetic underlayment or felt paper? How many nails per shingle? What warranty on workmanship? How are they handling ventilation? The answers reveal whether you're comparing equivalent work.
If one bid is 20-30% lower than others, be very suspicious. If one bid is 40-50% lower, run away. Quality roofing has a cost floor below which corners must be cut. Maine building codes, manufacturer requirements, and proper craftsmanship demand certain standards. Contractors who ignore these standards to bid low are betting you won't discover the problems until after they're long gone.
Myth #3: A New Roof Solves All Your Problems
The Myth
"My roof is old and leaking. Once I get new shingles installed, all my problems will be solved. New roof equals fresh start, right?"
Why It's Wrong
A new roof only solves the problem of old shingles. It doesn't address why your old roof failed prematurely, why you get ice dams, why your energy bills are high, or why certain rooms are always too hot or too cold. These issues stem from problems beneath the shingles—inadequate ventilation, insufficient insulation, air leaks, or structural issues. Covering these problems with new shingles is like painting over rust. It looks good temporarily, but the underlying issue continues to worsen.
This is particularly true in Maine where ice dams are a major concern. Ice dams form because heat escapes through your attic, warms your roof deck, melts snow, and causes refreezing at the eaves. New shingles don't prevent this. Only addressing attic insulation, air sealing, and ventilation prevents ice dams. Install beautiful new shingles without fixing these issues and you'll have ice dams destroying your new roof within the first winter.
The same applies to ventilation generally. Poor attic ventilation shortens shingle lifespan dramatically by trapping heat and moisture. If your old roof failed early due to ventilation problems, your new roof will too—unless you address ventilation during replacement.
The Real Cost
Homeowners who believe this myth spend $10,000-15,000 on a new roof and then face the same problems they had before. Ice dams damage the new shingles. Poor ventilation shortens the new roof's lifespan. Energy bills remain high because insulation issues weren't addressed. Within 3-5 years, they're dealing with leak repairs, ice dam removal, and wondering why their expensive new roof isn't performing better.
A homeowner came to us after having a roof installed by another company two years prior. They were frustrated because they still had ice dams every winter despite the "new roof." The problem? The contractor installed new shingles but didn't address the inadequate attic insulation (R-19 instead of the recommended R-49), didn't seal air leaks, and didn't improve ventilation. Those underlying problems cost them about $3,000 in ice dam removal and repairs over two winters. Fixing the real issues—insulation, air sealing, ventilation—cost another $5,000. Had these been addressed during the initial roof replacement, the total cost would have been less and they'd have avoided two winters of ice dam problems.
What to Believe Instead
Roof replacement is an opportunity to address the complete roofing system, not just the shingles. A quality contractor inspects your attic, evaluates ventilation, checks insulation, identifies air leaks, and discusses whether these issues should be addressed during replacement. Sometimes this adds to the project cost, but it ensures your new roof performs optimally and lasts its full expected lifespan.
Ask contractors about more than just shingles. What about ventilation? Should insulation be added or improved? Are there air sealing opportunities? Does flashing need upgrading? Is ice and water shield being installed properly? The answers reveal whether they're just installing shingles or actually solving your roofing problems comprehensively.
Myth #4: You Can Wait Another Year
The Myth
"My roof probably needs replacement soon, but it's not leaking yet. I can wait another year or two to save up more money. What's the harm in waiting?"
Why It's Wrong
The time to replace your roof is before it fails, not after. Once a roof starts actively leaking, damage accelerates exponentially. Water penetration doesn't just affect shingles—it rots roof decking, damages insulation, creates mold, stains ceilings, ruins drywall, and can even compromise structural framing. Every day you wait after your roof reaches the end of its serviceable life, you're gambling that it won't leak and hoping that when it does, the damage will be minimal.
That's a bad bet. Roofs don't fail gradually—they fail suddenly. One storm, one heavy snow load, one ice dam, and suddenly water is pouring into your house. By the time you notice the leak, water has often been infiltrating for days or weeks, causing hidden damage that won't be apparent until you remove the old roof.
Moreover, waiting often means emergency replacement under less-than-ideal conditions. You're calling contractors in desperation, accepting whoever's available, potentially paying premium rates for emergency service, and having work done in poor weather that compromises quality. Planned replacement gives you time to research contractors, compare bids, schedule during optimal weather, and ensure quality work.
The Real Cost
"Waiting another year" to save money often results in spending far more. We see this constantly: homeowners who knew their roof was near end-of-life, decided to wait, experienced a leak, and discovered extensive hidden damage when the old roof was removed.
Here's a typical scenario: A homeowner's roof is 23 years old and showing clear signs of failure—curling shingles, granule loss, missing tabs. They decide to wait one more year. That winter, an ice dam forms and water backs up under the deteriorated shingles. By the time they notice the ceiling stain, water has been infiltrating for two weeks. The roof replacement cost $12,000. The rotted decking replacement added $2,500. Water damage repairs to insulation, drywall, and ceiling totaled $4,500. The total cost: $19,000. Had they replaced the roof proactively when first noticing deterioration, the cost would have been $12,000. That year of waiting cost them $7,000.
Even if you don't experience a catastrophic leak, aging roofs increase risks. Higher energy bills due to deteriorating insulation. Ice dam damage. Wind damage to brittle shingles. Small leaks you don't notice causing gradual rot. These costs add up and often exceed the money you thought you were saving by waiting.
What to Believe Instead
Replace your roof on your schedule, not your roof's schedule. If your roof is approaching the end of its expected lifespan (15-20 years for 3-tab shingles, 20-25 years for architectural shingles in Maine), start planning replacement even if you haven't experienced leaks. Get professional inspections to assess remaining life. If a contractor tells you "you've got 1-2 years left," start planning now. Budget for replacement, research contractors, and schedule work proactively.
The peace of mind of a new roof before failure is worth far more than the stress of emergency replacement and water damage repairs. Proactive replacement costs less, allows for better quality control, and protects your home from the cascade of problems that leak-induced water damage creates.
Myth #5: Roofing Work Can't Happen in Winter
The Myth
"Roofing is summer work. Nobody does roofs in winter. The shingles won't seal, the materials are too brittle, and contractors won't work in cold weather. If I need a roof in winter, I'll have to wait until spring."
Why It's Wrong
While winter isn't ideal for roofing, it's absolutely possible and sometimes necessary. Modern roofing materials and techniques allow for winter installation with proper precautions. Asphalt shingles can be installed in temperatures as low as 40°F and even lower with appropriate hand-sealing techniques. Manufacturers provide specific winter installation guidelines that quality contractors follow.
The bigger issue is that sometimes winter roofing is unavoidable. Storm damage doesn't wait for summer. If your roof is actively leaking or has sustained significant damage, waiting months for spring means extensive water damage to your home's interior. In these cases, winter installation—done properly by experienced contractors—is far preferable to letting your home suffer water infiltration for months.
Quality Maine contractors understand winter roofing. They know when conditions are suitable, when they're not, and how to adapt techniques for cold weather. They hand-seal shingles that won't self-seal in cold temperatures. They work during the warmest parts of days. They take extra precautions with materials that become brittle in extreme cold. And they refuse jobs when conditions truly aren't safe or appropriate.
The Real Cost
Believing winter roofing is impossible leads homeowners to either put up with leaking roofs all winter (causing thousands in water damage) or to accept shoddy emergency repairs that don't actually solve problems. The cost of water damage from a leaking roof over a four-month Maine winter often exceeds the cost of the roof itself.
We've seen homeowners try to "make it through winter" with tarps, temporary patches, and buckets collecting drips. By spring, they face not just roof replacement but also extensive water damage repairs—ruined insulation, rotted decking, damaged drywall, mold remediation. What could have been a $12,000 winter roof replacement becomes a $20,000+ spring disaster recovery project.
There's also the myth that waiting until spring gives you better quality work. Actually, attempting to schedule roofing in spring means competing with dozens of other homeowners who also waited, facing longer wait times, and potentially settling for whoever has availability rather than your preferred contractor. Winter work—when weather permits—often means better contractor availability and more attention to your specific job.
What to Believe Instead
Winter roofing is possible in Maine when done by experienced contractors who understand cold-weather techniques and choose appropriate weather windows. Not every day is suitable, but most Maine winters offer enough moderate-temperature days to complete roofing projects. If you face an emergency situation—storm damage, sudden leaks, structural concerns—don't resign yourself to months of water damage while waiting for spring. Contact experienced contractors who do winter work.
That said, if your roof isn't actively failing and you have the luxury of choosing timing, spring through fall offers more ideal conditions. But "not ideal" doesn't mean "impossible." Many successful roofs are installed during Maine winters by contractors who know what they're doing.
The Cost of Believing Myths
These five myths share a common thread: they all seem logical on the surface but lead to expensive mistakes when acted upon. Collectively, they cost Maine homeowners millions of dollars annually in premature roof failure, water damage, emergency repairs, and lost energy efficiency.
The homeowner who believes all roofers are the same hires the wrong contractor and faces early roof failure. The homeowner who chases the cheapest bid gets inferior work that doesn't last. The homeowner who thinks a new roof alone solves everything continues battling ice dams and high energy bills. The homeowner who waits "one more year" ends up paying for extensive water damage. And the homeowner who believes winter roofing is impossible either suffers months of leaks or schedules into a spring rush when quality contractors are already booked.
The truly expensive part? These myths often compound. The homeowner who hired the cheapest contractor because they believed all roofers are the same gets a roof that fails prematurely because underlying issues weren't addressed. Now they're facing emergency replacement during winter, but they believe winter roofing is impossible, so they wait and suffer water damage. By the time they get a proper roof replacement, what should have cost $12,000 initially has cascaded into $25,000 of expenses.
What You Should Believe Instead
Here's the truth that replaces these myths:
Quality matters immensely. The contractor you choose affects your roof's lifespan, performance, and your total cost of ownership more than any other single factor. Choose based on expertise, reputation, and quality—not just availability or price.
Value isn't the same as cheap. The best deal is fair pricing for quality work, materials, and warranties. Dramatically low bids signal cut corners that will cost you more long-term.
Your roof is a system. Shingles are just one component. Ventilation, insulation, underlayment, flashing, and attic conditions all affect roof performance. Address the complete system for lasting results.
Timing matters. Replace your roof proactively before failure, not reactively after leaks. The cost difference between planned replacement and emergency repair is substantial.
Season affects conditions but doesn't prevent good work. Winter roofing is possible when necessary and done correctly. Don't let calendar myths force you to accept water damage while waiting for "roofing season."
Separate Fact from Fiction for Your Roof
Understanding the truth about roofing—not the myths—is the first step toward making informed decisions that protect your home and your investment. Every one of these myths persists because it offers a seemingly logical shortcut. But in roofing, there are no shortcuts. There's only doing it right or dealing with expensive consequences later.
At Maine Coast Roofing, we've spent years educating homeowners and correcting the damage these myths cause. We've seen too many situations where homeowners made decisions based on misinformation and paid the price. That's why we believe in transparency, education, and honest assessment over sales tactics and quick closes.
Let's separate fact from fiction for your specific situation. Whether you're considering roof replacement, dealing with problems, or just want an honest assessment of your roof's condition, we'll give you straight answers based on facts, not myths. Book a consultation with Maine Coast Roofing at (207) 200-1053 or contact us online. We'll inspect your roof, discuss your concerns, explain what you're actually dealing with, and provide recommendations based on reality—not roofing mythology. Your roof deserves better than myths. Let's give it the truth.
