In the Roots to Renovation episode “What Myths Do People Believe About Roofing Contractors?”, host Mike Downer speaks with Peterson Roofing founder Jody Peterson and COO Ryan Peterson about common roofing misconceptions. Their main advice is simple: do not assume every roof or contractor is the same, do not choose on price alone, and do not wait for a leak before taking action. These are some of the most important roofing myths homeowners should know in Iowa when planning repairs or replacement.
Myth: Every Roof Is Basically the Same
“A roof is not just a roof,” Jody explains.
Two contractors may use similar-looking shingles, but the finished roofs can perform very differently. Installation quality, flashing, underlayment, ventilation, crew experience, and project supervision all affect how well a roof protects the home.
Ryan shared the story of an older house where chimney flashing was installed incorrectly. After rain, water ran down the chimney and damaged the interior. The roof may have cost less upfront, but the homeowner paid for the mistake later.
Homeowners should compare the full scope of each estimate, not just the price at the bottom.
Myth: The Cheapest Bid Saves the Most Money
The lowest roofing estimate can become the most expensive option when the work fails early or the contractor is no longer available.
Ryan recalled a homeowner who traded a boat for a roof. The roof developed multiple problems and wore out much sooner than expected.
Jody explained that established roofing companies must charge enough to hire skilled employees, carry insurance, maintain equipment, and provide service after installation. A contractor who prices jobs too cheaply may not stay in business long enough to honor a warranty.
The Federal Trade Commission also advises homeowners to avoid paying the full cost of a home improvement project upfront and to hold final payment until the work is completed satisfactorily.
Peterson Roofing says it does not require a down payment. Payment is collected after installation and inspection.
Myth: You Can Wait Until the Roof Starts Leaking
A visible leak is often a late warning sign.
By the time water reaches the ceiling, it may have already affected roof decking, insulation, drywall, framing, or attic materials. Ryan also noted that ongoing moisture can contribute to mold and structural damage.
The U.S. Department of Energy warns that attic moisture can damage roofing materials and reduce insulation performance.
Homeowners should schedule an inspection after noticing missing shingles, damaged flashing, attic moisture, ceiling stains, sagging areas, or excessive shingle granules in gutters. Addressing the issue early may prevent a much larger repair.
Myth: Patching Is Always Cheaper Than Replacement
Roof repairs can make sense when damage is limited and the roof still has years of useful life remaining. However, repeated patching becomes less practical when an older roof continues to lose shingles, leak, or develop flashing problems.
Jody describes this as “throwing good money after bad.” Spending several thousand dollars on temporary repairs may only delay an unavoidable replacement.
The decision should be based on the roof’s age, overall condition, repair history, and the amount of useful life it has left.
Myth: Metal Roofing Is Always Noisy or Always Better
Metal roofing can last a long time, but it is not automatically the right option for every home.
Ryan explains that modern insulation and underlayment can reduce the noise traditionally associated with metal roofs. However, metal roofing usually costs more, has a distinct appearance, and may dent during hailstorms.
Asphalt shingles often cost less and may better match surrounding homes. The right choice depends on the homeowner’s budget, preferred look, location, and long-term plans for the property.
Myth: Insurance Covers Every Storm-Damaged Roof
Roof damage does not guarantee that insurance will pay for a full replacement.
Policies may include percentage-based deductibles, cosmetic damage exclusions, depreciation, or different settlement terms. Ryan described a homeowner whose hail-damaged roof needed replacement, but the policy included a metal exclusion and a deductible of nearly $9,000.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners explains that replacement cost and actual cash value policies can result in very different claim payments.
Homeowners should review roof coverage, hail exclusions, deductibles, and depreciation rules before storm damage occurs.
Why Should You Call a Roofer Early?
Calling a roofer early can prevent a small concern from becoming a major construction project.
Ryan recalled a home that eventually required plywood across the entire roof because ventilation problems had been left unresolved. An earlier inspection may have identified the issue and extended the roof’s life.
Understanding the roofing myths homeowners should know in Iowa can help you make better decisions about repairs, replacement, insurance, and contractor selection. Choose a roofing company based on workmanship, experience, communication, and long-term reliability rather than price alone.
Watch the full Roots to Renovation episode for more real-world advice from Jody and Ryan Peterson.
FAQs
Is the lowest roofing bid usually the best deal?
No. A lower bid may exclude important materials, labor, insurance, warranty coverage, or proper installation details.
Should I wait for a leak before replacing my roof?
No. Water may already be damaging the roof deck or interior before a leak becomes visible.
When should I repair instead of replace?
Repair may be appropriate for isolated damage on a newer roof. Frequent problems on an aging roof may justify replacement.
Are metal roofs loud during rain?
Modern insulation, decking, and underlayment can significantly reduce indoor noise.
Will insurance pay for hail damage?
It depends on the policy, deductible, exclusions, roof age, and claim settlement terms.
Why does local roofing experience matter?
Local contractors understand regional weather, building requirements, common roofing systems, and inspection expectations.
Mike: Hello, everybody. I’m your host, Mike Downer. Thanks for joining us once again on Roots to Renovation. I’m here with Jody Peterson, founder, CEO, and president of Peterson Roofing, along with his son, Ryan, COO of Peterson Roofing.
How are we doing today, gentlemen?
Jody: Doing great.
Ryan: Doing great.
Mike: You guys have been doing this for a minute. You’ve seen one or two roofs in your life, I think, so I know you kind of know what’s going on in this business. You’ve seen it all, to be honest with you.
Today we’re going to be talking about myths people believe about roofing contractors. I know there are some misconceptions that people have that may or may not be true.
I’m going to shoot this at either one of you guys. Either one of you can answer this one. What are the most common misconceptions about roof replacement and hiring a contractor that lead homeowners into making bad decisions?
Jody: I’ll take this first. I probably won’t catch everything, but the first thing I think about is that most people believe a roof is a roof.
It’s like going to the grocery store and picking up a bag of apples. You get one bag of Gala apples, and then another bag of Gala apples, and they’re the same. It doesn’t matter which bag you pick up.
That’s a total misconception.
The truth is that it makes a big difference—the quality of the shingle, the quality of the installation, how often you’ve done it, and how fast you get the job done. It’s a huge myth that a roof is just a roof.
Mike: Right. The thing is that people still believe these myths. You’ve been doing this for forty-five years, but these are the problems that come up and cost people so much money down the road.
It’s funny because some people get it early. Maybe they’ve had a bad experience and they learn from it. But these myths are still out there. If you can learn what’s true and what’s a myth, it could really save you a lot of money in the long run.
You were talking about saving money in the long run. How can choosing the cheapest roofing bid end up costing a homeowner? Why is that going to cost them more in the long run if they take the cheapest guy out there?
Jody: You probably have a story on this one, Ryan.
Ryan: Yeah, I’ve got more than one.
We’ve got one here about a guy who traded a boat for a roof and had problems. Imagine that, right?
He was telling me the story, and he said, “I will never do that again. That was not a good decision.”
Mike: Tell me at least it was a really nice boat, like a yacht or something.
Ryan: I would imagine. It was a pretty big roof, but there was a long list of things that were wrong with the roof. It wore out way too early and needed to be replaced. That’s just one story.
Jody: Let’s get into the reason why choosing the cheapest guy could end up costing you a lot more in the long run.
Let’s say you have a problem. It could be a major problem or a minor problem. You call the guy you hired, who was the cheapest bidder. Where is he now? He’s gone.
You know why? He couldn’t afford to stay in business because he worked too cheaply. That’s one reason.
You have to pay a good price so that if you do need any service, the company will be there for you. With us, you’re probably not ever going to need it. You’re probably not ever going to have a reason to call us back. But if you do have to call us back, we’re going to be here for you.
One reason is that we charge a proper amount so we can pay employees proper wages to do a proper installation, have all our insurance, maintain our equipment, and maintain our storage facilities. These things cost money, and a roof is not just a roof.
The number one factor is pricing, really. If you think a cheap roof is going to be as good as a roof that costs what it should cost, that’s a big myth. It’s a big fallacy. You’ll pay in the long run. Trust me. I’ve seen it.
Mike: You were talking about this, so what makes one roofing contractor different from another? Why do experience and local reputation matter? I know this one goes straight to your core values.
Ryan: I’ll tell you another story about why roofing is not a commodity.
There’s somebody we know, and before we knew him, he had multiple people come bid his house. It was an old house, very complicated, and our bid was not the cheapest. I think he went with maybe not the cheapest, but a significantly cheaper one.
It was an older home with a brick chimney. Some rains came, and it was leaking like crazy. Water was running down the chimney and ruining things inside.
Mike: After the new roof went on?
Ryan: Yes, after the new roof went on.
So, what was going on with this chimney and the flashing? At least the contractor answered the phone and came back—or maybe he didn’t come back. All I know is the story was basically, “Sorry, that’s just how it goes.”
Whatever got ruined inside, all that stuff ended up costing money. But it wasn’t just the money. It was also the stress involved with all of that.
When we do a roof, it’s not just apples to apples. It’s making sure the flashings are right so you’re not stressed out and things aren’t getting ruined.
We talked about this in another episode. All shingles are not the same, and the people putting them on are not all the same. It is not a commodity. You get what you pay for.
Jody: Let me interject because you were talking about money.
A roof is not just a roof. A cheap roof is not the same as a roof that costs what it should cost.
A lot of these guys are completely different from us. They will want a down payment, sometimes half. Let’s say you’ve got an average roof—a twenty-thousand-dollar roof—and they want ten thousand dollars down.
I hear stories all the time: “He took my down payment, and I haven’t seen him again. He went to the bar. He’s in jail. My money’s gone. I can’t get it back. I got a lawyer involved.”
Well, it doesn’t matter. If the guy has nothing, you’re not getting anything back. You’re just out ten thousand dollars.
We don’t ask for any money down. We make sure that roof is on, you’ve inspected it, the city inspector has looked at it, we’ve inspected it, and everything is up to your standards, our standards, and the city’s standards before we get our payment at the end.
That’s how much we trust the workmanship and the quality of the shingle we’re putting on your roof. We ask for nothing down. We wait until everybody is satisfied, and then we send you the bill and get paid.
Mike: That says mountains about your company. I mean, monuments. That’s amazing.
Is it true that homeowners only need to replace the roof once it starts leaking? I think that’s another myth you guys would like to bust.
Ryan: Yeah, I would say that’s a bad idea.
You don’t want it to start leaking and ruining stuff underneath, like the decking or maybe even the structure itself. That seems like a crazy myth, but maybe somebody believes it.
You definitely want to replace it before you start having more expensive damage that you need to fix. Maybe you get a bunch of mold or other issues. All kinds of things could happen.
Definitely stay on top of it and get that roof replaced before it’s totally worn out.
Mike: That makes sense.
When you’re talking about roofs getting worn out and getting replaced, let me ask you this: When does patching a roof stop making sense compared to replacing it?
Jody: Financially, you’re throwing good money after bad if you’re constantly repairing and patching things.
Let’s say you’re patching it just to get by for two or three years, and you’ve spent two or three thousand dollars repairing it. You could have taken that two or three thousand dollars and put it toward a new roof. You would have saved that money and had peace of mind for the next forty to fifty years.
That’s when it doesn’t make sense—when the cost factor outweighs what you’re actually getting. Repairs are generally just pushing it down the road. Eventually, you’ve got to pay the piper.
If you’ve got a roof you’re trying to string along and it should be replaced, you might as well go ahead and replace it, as a general rule.
Mike: I know you guys have talked about this in one of our earlier episodes, where you said that, yes, a repair absolutely can make sense.
But when these issues start showing up, how often does that happen? I know it’s different on every roof, but as a general rule, if you’re getting it repaired every two years or every year, when does that tipping point matter?
I know you talked about the money factor, but just so in someone’s head they can say, “Yeah, if I’m getting this repaired every year, it’s time.” When is that tipping point?
Jody: It would be age.
If you have a roof that’s just wearing out, shingles are blowing off here and there, you keep patching them back in, your flashings are wearing out, and it’s an older roof, it really makes no sense.
If it’s a newer roof and it just needs routine maintenance, then yes, go ahead and do that to make it last the forty or fifty years it should last. Maybe you need a repair, and then your roof can last another ten years or so.
Mike: Gotcha.
What are the biggest misconceptions homeowners have about metal roofing?
Ryan: Metal roofing. Well, what can we say about metal roofs? People say they’re noisy.
Go ahead, Jody. You’re smiling. You’ve got something.
Jody: I would think the noise depends. I don’t have a metal roof, so I can’t say I’ve lived with it. I don’t know if I’ve stayed in houses with metal roofs, but do you think it’s that noisy with the insulation and everything in there?
Ryan: I think it probably was a factor in the past. Now, with new underlayments and different things, you can take care of that.
I have heard people talk about noise and, like we mentioned in another podcast, cell phone reception could be a little weak. But honestly, in our area, we put metal roofs on, and it’s not a big deal at this point.
Jody: I would think maybe it would move more toward metal roofing as people worry more about being green and not having to tear off asphalt shingles and throw them in the dump. You’re using landfill space, whereas a metal roof is generally going to last a long, long time.
As long as you don’t want to change and update the look of your house, a metal roof is great. But that’s the problem with a metal roof. It has a particular look. It’s going to look different than the rest of the houses in your neighborhood. You’re probably going to be the oddball.
That’s generally why people don’t do it. It’s different.
Let’s say you go to sell your house, and people come in and say, “Why does this house look different than every other house? Something’s weird here.”
Ryan: I think the main reason people don’t do it is because of how much it costs.
Jody: Cost is definitely a factor as well.
We’ve talked about this before. You get a fifty-year warranty on a metal roof and a fifty-year warranty on an asphalt roof, and people say, “Why am I paying double or triple for a metal roof when the warranty is the same?”
Metal is going to hold up longer than an asphalt roof, but if there’s a hailstorm, it can dent. Small hail can leave little dents. There are pros and cons to both.
Metal typically is just a better product than asphalt, but is it worth the price difference? If it’s not going to be on your house for a hundred years, someone will probably want to change it out. The next owner might want to change it out because they don’t like the look.
People say, “Well, this is a hundred-year roof. It’s going to last a hundred years.” But the next person might say, “I don’t like it. Let’s get rid of it.” Then all that money is thrown away.
Mike: Perfect. That cleared that up pretty quickly.
You guys were talking about hail damage, so let’s get into this one. Why doesn’t insurance automatically cover every storm-damaged roof?
Ryan: Things have changed dramatically in the last few years.
It’s not as simple as it was years ago, when you could say, “I’ve got hail damage,” and it was very easy and quick to know that your coverage was going to take care of a new roof.
That is different now.
Deductibles are crazy now. It used to be a five-hundred-dollar deductible for a whole new roof. Then maybe it was a thousand dollars. Now you’re looking at percentage-based deductibles, and there are exclusions in claims.
We’ve talked about this before, Mike, in other podcasts. It’s because of the way the roofing and storm restoration industry has gone in the last few years.
Insurance companies are circling the wagons and changing policies as they need to because they’re not going to lose money.
I was just on a roof where the homeowner had a roof we did not that long ago, and it got hit with really big hail. She thought she had a Cadillac plan because she had some problems a few years ago with water in her basement. She said, “I don’t want to deal with that again. I’m going to make sure I have a good policy.”
She thought she had a five-hundred-dollar deductible.
I met with the adjuster, and he said, “This is totaled. It needs a new roof. But just to let you know, she has a metal exclusion in her policy.”
I said, “Okay, well, that changes things a little bit.”
Anyway, she got back to me after getting the claim paperwork. Guess what? It was not a five-hundred-dollar deductible. It was nine thousand dollars.
That was a big surprise. It’s not a simple situation anymore. It really comes down to the policy. You get what you pay for. I’m sure that’s the case with insurance, just like it is with us.
Jody: There’s insurance for deductibles now, which I think we’ve talked about before too, because the deductibles are so high.
If it’s nine thousand dollars, you can get insurance that helps pay your deductible.
I feel sorry for this customer. Her roof is not that old, and another hailstorm went through. Now she has to pay nine thousand dollars if she wants to get that roof done. If she doesn’t do it, that’s a check mark against her if she ever goes to sell.
I believe insurance companies now keep track of who has put a roof on and who has not, and you can actually lose your coverage if you don’t replace it.
Mike: That is true. That is true.
I went through something similar about five years ago. A stupid tree was hitting our roof. Anyway, we won’t get into that.
You guys have probably seen it all and done it all.
All right, guys, let’s wind this one up with our last myth about calling a roofer. Why is it better to call a roofer early instead of waiting until several problems show up?
I know homeowners want to save money. If you just don’t look at it and bury your head in the sand, maybe it goes away. But eventually, you’ve got several problems, and then you call the roofer.
Why is it better to actually call them early than wait for all those problems to show up?
Jody: It’s going to be more expensive if you wait.
Honestly, how many homeowners think about their roof? It’s not something you wake up thinking, “I wonder if my roof is okay today.” You hardly ever think about it.
The only time you might think about it is if you see a little spot on the ceiling.
Mike: Or if you host a podcast about roofs.
Jody: Yes.
But if you spot something and think, “Maybe it’s just a coincidence. There’s really nothing wrong,” go ahead and call us.
The longer you wait, if it is a leak of some sort, you’re going to have wood damage. You can get into structural damage, rafters, drywall—you name it. Then it can become a big expense.
If you catch it early, it may just be repairing the roof or replacing the roof, with no additional expenses.
Mike: All right, Ryan, I know this is your time to shine. Come on, buddy. I know you’ve got a story about somebody who waited way too long, and you had to replace way too much stuff in their house. Hit me.
Ryan: Let me think. I know I probably have a million of those.
One that comes to mind is one we did earlier this year. A guy waited too long, and he ended up having to put plywood over the entire roof on a house in a little town south of here.
If he would have done it at the proper time, it probably wouldn’t have required new plywood. Part of that problem was ventilation issues, and that’s what rotted out the wood.
If we had seen the problem maybe ten years ago, we could have put vents in and extended the life.
If you think there’s a problem, or even have any inkling of a problem at all, it’s no cost to you and nothing out of your pocket. Just have us come out, look around, and warn you of what impending trouble could be coming down the road.
Mike: Nice. That’s awesome advice, guys.
Today we played a little MythBusters, and it was kind of fun. I love hearing the stories. I have learned not to trade vehicles for roofs.
If anybody was thinking about trading a vehicle for a roof, don’t do it. Just call these guys. They don’t take boats for payments, that’s all I’m saying. Or maybe they do. I don’t know. They can talk about that.
Ryan: It depends on how nice the boat is.
Mike: Well, guys, it’s always fun talking to you. I look forward to talking to you here in a week or so.
Jody: Thank you.
Ryan: Thanks, Mike.
Mike: All right, take care, guys.
Ryan: You too, buddy.
