Most roofing projects don't fail because a contractor made one dramatic error — they fail because small, cheap-looking decisions stack up.
These are the mistakes we see most often on Houston jobs, and the ones we vet every scope against before we start.
1. Overlay instead of tear-off
Extra weight, trapped heat, and hidden deck rot. Tear-off is the honest install.
2. Roofing over rotten decking
Every rotten piece must be replaced during tear-off, not hidden under new shingles.
3. Skipping ice-and-water shield
Even in Houston, a peel-and-stick membrane at eaves, valleys, and penetrations prevents leaks.
4. Felt underlayment instead of synthetic
Synthetic lasts 3x longer and doesnt tear on the crew.
5. Bad attic ventilation
Under-vented attics cook shingles and grow mold. Balanced intake and exhaust are required.
6. Bad flashing at penetrations
90% of roof leaks start at bad flashing. Step, kick-out, and chimney flashing done right prevents them.
7. Skipping impact-rated shingles
Class 4 shingles cut insurance 15–30% in Houston and last longer.
8. Missing drip edge
Metal drip edge is code and protects the fascia. Skipping it is amateur work.
9. Cut 3-tab ridge caps
Purpose-made ridge caps last as long as field shingles. Cut 3-tabs fail in half the time.
10. No manufacturer system warranty
A full-system install unlocks 25–50 year warranties. Missing this leaves you with the standard limited one.
How to vet your contractor
Read your roofing bid line by line and ask which of these mistakes are being avoided — in writing. A contractor who welcomes the question is the one you want; a contractor who deflects is the one to walk away from.
If you'd like a second set of eyes on a scope of work or an existing bid, we're happy to walk through it with you.
