How to Spot a Roofing Crew That’s Cutting Corners

Here’s a hard truth: not every roofing contractor who shows up to your building is doing the job right.

We’ve seen it again and again. A crew shows up, works fast, gets the job done cheap… and six months later, you’ve got leaks, ponding water, or worse — damage inside the building.

And by that point? The contractor is long gone. Your “warranty” is worthless. And you’re the one left cleaning it up.

This happens a lot in the Midwest, especially during summer. Storm season creates urgency. Property managers want things done fast. And shady or unqualified contractors take full advantage — rushing through jobs, skipping steps, and hoping you won’t notice.

That’s why we’re breaking down the warning signs. If you know what to look for, you can stop the damage before it starts.

Because the only thing worse than paying for a roof repair is paying twice — once for the quick fix, and again for the cleanup when it fails.

Red Flag #1: The Crew’s Rushing the Job Like They’re Late for a Flight

If you walk up to your building and it looks like the roofing crew is just trying to beat the clock — that’s a problem.

We’re not saying they can’t work efficiently. A good crew should move with purpose. But there’s a difference between working fast and cutting corners to save time.

We’ve seen crews skip full tear-offs and just layer over old material without checking what’s underneath. Others slap down seams with barely enough adhesive to hold a few rainstorms. Some don’t even bother fixing ponding areas — they just cover it all up and hope you don’t notice until next season.

And once it’s “done”? They’re packed up, gone, and on to the next job.

Here’s the thing: commercial roofing isn’t a race.

Especially not in the Midwest, where heat, humidity, and storm systems put serious pressure on materials. If the prep work isn’t done right — if flashings aren’t sealed, seams aren’t tight, or drains aren’t cleared — your roof is a ticking time bomb.

So ask yourself:

• Did they take time to prep the surface?

• Are they doing quality checks throughout the day?

• Did they stop to address the problem areas — or just cover them up?

If the crew’s in and out in record time and you never saw anyone actually stop to inspect the details, chances are they didn’t.

And when the next heavy rain hits? You’re going to wish they’d slowed down.

Red Flag #2: They Avoid Showing You What’s Really Happening Up There

One of the easiest ways to tell if a roofer is cutting corners? They don’t want you to see the roof.

They don’t take photos. They don’t offer updates. They don’t walk you through what they’re finding. They just expect you to take their word for it — and trust that the work is getting done right.

That’s a problem.

Because most building owners and managers aren’t climbing ladders to check the work themselves. And shady crews count on that. They know if they keep you on the ground and stay vague about the details, you’re less likely to notice when they skip steps or make a mess.

A good commercial roofing contractor doesn’t just tolerate questions — they welcome them. They’ll take photos throughout the process. They’ll explain what they’re doing and why. They’ll show you problem areas, walk you through materials, and make sure you know what you’re paying for.

If the only updates you’re getting are “We’re good” and “It’s done,” you should be nervous. Especially if:

• There’s no visual documentation

• You weren’t invited to walk the roof at the start or finish

• You’re discouraged from getting a second opinion

You don’t need to be a roofing expert. But you deserve to see what’s happening on your building — especially when you’re signing off on thousands of dollars in work.

And if they’re hiding it? It’s probably because you wouldn’t like what you’d see.

Red Flag #3: Your Roof Looks Worse — Not Better — After They Leave

This one’s a big giveaway — and honestly, it’s one of the first things we check when a client calls us to clean up someone else’s mess.

If the job’s done and your roof looks dirty, scattered, or unfinished, that’s not just poor cleanup. It’s a reflection of the whole job.

We’re talking:

• Loose screws or nails left behind

• Wrappers, tape rolls, scrap material tossed in corners

• Sealant smeared sloppily or already cracking

• Edges not tucked, seams bubbling, footprints in coatings

• Equipment parts left half-attached or unsealed

It doesn’t matter how new the membrane is or how fast they finished — if the roof looks rough, it probably is.

We’ve walked roofs where the materials were technically “installed,” but the crew didn’t bother doing final inspections, cleanup, or proper flashing. They figured the owner wouldn’t go up there, and as long as it didn’t leak that week, they were good.

That’s the short-term mindset of a contractor who doesn’t care if you call back.

Professional crews clean up. They walk the roof at the end. They make sure everything’s tight, sealed, and right — because that’s how you build a reputation worth something.

A roof that looks messy is a roof that was treated like a throwaway job. And you can bet what’s underneath that mess wasn’t handled with any more care.

Red Flag #4: Their “Warranty” Sounds Great — Until You Actually Need It

Plenty of roofing crews will throw around the word “warranty” like it’s a safety net. They’ll tell you the job is covered. That you’re good for five, ten, even twenty years. And on paper, it might sound great.

But when something goes wrong — when a seam peels back, when a flashing fails, when water starts coming in — and you call them back?

Silence.

Suddenly, no one’s answering the phone. That crew “doesn’t work in your area anymore.” Or you’re told the issue isn’t covered. Or worse, that the person you hired no longer works for the company, so they can’t honor what was promised.

It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book. Promise the world, hope nothing goes wrong, and disappear when it does.

A real commercial roofing warranty doesn’t just exist on paper — it’s backed by a contractor who’s actually around when you need them. Who logs the job details. Who returns your call. Who takes responsibility. Because let’s be honest: even good roofs can have problems. It’s not about perfection — it’s about accountability.

If the warranty only shows up in conversation and never in writing, or if it’s filled with vague language and no clear follow-through, you don’t have coverage. You’ve just got a line someone used to close the sale.

Warranties should make you feel protected. If one leaves you asking more questions than it answers, that’s your sign.

Final Thought: If You See the Red Flags, Stop the Job Before It Costs You

A commercial roof isn’t just another line item. It protects your people, your tenants, your equipment, and your bottom line. And when it’s done right, it can last for decades without giving you trouble.

But when it’s done wrong — when shortcuts are taken, when details are skipped, when the crew just wants to cash a check and move on — it becomes the most expensive problem on your property.

If you’re seeing rushed work, zero communication, poor cleanup, or warranties that fall apart under pressure, don’t wait for a leak to confirm your gut feeling. Trust it now.

At American Builders, we’ve been called in too many times to fix what someone else should’ve done right the first time. And while we’re proud to help, we’d much rather be the crew that gets it right from the start.

We don’t cut corners. We don’t hide the work. And we don’t disappear when you call us back.

If you’re planning a repair, a restoration, or a full roof replacement this summer — let’s talk.

We’ll walk the roof with you, give you a clear breakdown, and make sure the job’s done the way it should’ve been the first time.