Did you run into any issues with contractors trying to upsell stuff you didn’t need? I keep getting pitched on ridge vents and synthetic underlayment, but no one really explains why my house needs it.
Had a similar experience last year—every roofer had their own “must-have” add-ons. One guy tried to convince me my attic would basically rot without ridge vents, but another barely mentioned them. I started asking each one to explain *why* my house needed those upgrades, not just what they were. Most couldn’t give a straight answer. Ended up going with the crew that actually walked me through the attic and showed where ventilation was lacking. Felt less like a sales pitch and more like real advice. For me, the big name wasn’t worth it if their pitch felt canned.
Did any of the contractors actually check your attic or insulation before recommending all these extras? I always wonder if they’re just pushing the latest thing or if there’s a real need. I’ve seen homes where poor ventilation caused actual damage, but sometimes it’s just overkill. Did you get any before-and-after photos or evidence from the crew you chose? That’s usually what convinces me something’s legit.
Title: Need advice on replacing an old leaky roof
I get where you're coming from—sometimes it feels like contractors have a checklist of “extras” they want to tack on, whether you need them or not. Here’s what I usually do when I’m working with clients (or even my own place): first thing, I ask for a full attic and insulation inspection before any recommendations. If they skip that step, big red flag.
Ventilation’s a tricky one. Poor airflow can wreck your roof deck or cause mold, but you’re right, sometimes the “solution” is overkill. I always ask for photos—before, during, and after. Not just for peace of mind, but because you can actually see if there was mold, rot, or missing insulation. One time, a crew tried to sell me on spray foam everywhere... turns out my attic was already insulated just fine, they just hadn’t bothered to look.
If you didn’t get those pics, I’d push for them. And if a contractor’s not willing to document their work, I’d be a bit skeptical. Sometimes the simplest solution is the right one—no need to gold-plate your rafters.
Totally agree on the photo evidence—makes a world of difference. I once had a guy swear my decking was rotted, but when I crawled up there myself, it was just some old staining. Saved me a chunk of change. Sometimes you gotta trust but verify, right?
Yeah, totally get what you mean—sometimes those stains look way worse than they are. I had a similar thing with my attic insulation. Contractor said it was all moldy and needed a full replacement, but when I poked around myself, turned out to be just old dust and some water marks from years ago. Ended up just patching a tiny spot, not gutting the whole thing.
Curious—when you checked the decking, did you notice any spots where water was actually getting in, or was it just cosmetic? I’ve been reading up on roof replacements, and some folks swear by doing a full tear-off to inspect everything, while others just go over the old shingles if there’s no real damage. Wondering if you found anything that made you lean one way or the other. Sometimes it’s tough to tell what’s actually necessary and what’s just upselling...
