The True Cost of a “Cheap Roof”: How Low Bids Lead to Expensive Repairs

Everyone wants to save money… but when it comes to roofing, the lowest price is rarely the best price.

In fact, the cheapest roofing bid often becomes the most expensive one in the long run.

Why?

Because shortcuts in roofing create leaks, mold, warranty issues, insurance problems, and early failure — problems that cost far more than a quality installation.

This guide explains:

Why cheap roofs fail
The red flags to recognize before you sign
What a good roofing contractor does differently
How to protect your home and budget in Kansas weather

💸 Why “Cheap Roofs” Fail So Quickly

Kansas is tough on roofs:

hail
wind
heavy rains
ice

A roof must be installed correctly to survive.
Low-bid roofers cut corners in the same places every time:

improper nail placement
no starter strip
not enough ice & water shield
reused flashing
poor attic ventilation
cheap underlayment

The result:
leaks, blown-off shingles, and early roof failure.

A cheap roof that lasts 7 years costs more than a quality roof that lasts 25.

🚫 The Biggest Red Flag: Price That Seems “Too Good to Be True”

If one roofer is $3,000–$8,000 cheaper than others, ask yourself:

What are they not including?

Common tricks:

no tear-off (leaving old shingles underneath)
minimal materials
crew rushing to move on to the next job
no warranty paperwork
subcontract crews paid by the square

Homeowners think they got a deal — until the first storm hits.

🔧 Where Cheap Roofing Shortcuts Show Up

1. Nails in the Wrong Place

This is the #1 reason roofs fail early.

High nails, angled nails, or overdriven nails cause:

blow-offs
leaks
warranty voids

Good roofers hand-check every section.
Cheap roofers never do.

2. No Starter Strip

Starter shingles prevent wind from peeling shingles like book pages.

Cheap roofers:

skip starter shingles
cut shingles into “fake” starters
install backwards

Result:
shingles lift and blow off during Kansas windstorms.

3. Flashing Reused or Done Wrong

Flashing is your roof’s shield against leaks.

Cheap roofers:

reuse rusty flashing
use caulk instead of metal
nail in the wrong areas

Water gets behind walls and chimneys.
Damage spreads invisibly until drywall is stained or mold appears.

4. Not Enough Ice & Water Shield

In Kansas, ice dams form where roofs meet gutters.

With no ice & water shield:

melted ice backs up
water enters the attic
insulation gets soaked

Good roofers install a full 3 feet or more.
Cheap roofers use felt paper instead.

5. Poor Ventilation

A roof can rot from the inside out.

Signs of bad ventilation:

high energy bills
hot upstairs in summer
curled shingles
mold smell in the attic

Good roofers calculate airflow.
Cheap roofers ignore it.

🧾 Cheap Roofs Cause Expensive Repairs

Here’s what cheap roofing leads to the next 1–7 years:

leaks in ceilings
drywall replacements
mold remediation
rotten decking
insurance claim denials
early roof replacement

Homeowners spend thousands more fixing problems that should never have happened.

A roof is not just shingles.
It is a system.

🛡 Why Homeowners Choose Invictus Roofing

Invictus Roofing isn’t the cheapest — and that’s a good thing.

We:

tear off old roofs completely
install starter strip correctly
use full ice & water shield
install brand-new flashing
hand-check nail placement
balance attic ventilation
follow manufacturer standards

Our roofs are built to last:

20–30+ years
withstand Kansas wind
survive hail seasons
reduce future repairs

We install every roof as if our own families lived under it.

📌 When Comparing Roofing Quotes, Ask These Questions

Before signing anything, ask:

Do you tear off the old shingles?
Do you use manufacturer starter shingles?
How much ice & water shield do you install?
Do you replace flashing?
How do you ensure correct nail placement?
Do you provide a workmanship warranty?

If the answers are unclear, walk away.

🟦 Bottom Line: Cheap Roofs Are the Most Expensive

You don’t save money with a cheap roof — you gamble with your home.

Quality roofing:

protects your investment
prevents water damage
maintains property value
keeps insurance valid

Choose the right roofing contractor from the start, and you’ll never regret it.

📞 Need an Honest Roof Evaluation?

Don’t risk hidden problems above your head.

🔷 Schedule a roof inspection with Invictus Roofing.
We’ll give you the truth about your roof and the options that actually make sense for your home and budget.

LEARN MORE about your roofing issues

– 5 Installation Mistakes We See Every Week

– See our Tips & Resources page

CALL (913) 214-0014

The True Cost of a “Cheap Roof”: How Low Bids Lead to Expensive Repairs