The “Friend of a Friend” Roofer Is About to Cost You a Fortune
We’ve all heard it before: “Hey, I’ve got a guy. He did my cousin’s house — great work, super cheap. You should call him.”
Maybe it’s a friend of a friend. Maybe it’s your maintenance guy’s neighbor. Maybe it’s someone who did a good job on a house down the street.
But here’s the thing: just because they fixed a shingle roof on a 1,500 sq. ft. house doesn’t mean they’re qualified to touch your 50,000 sq. ft. commercial flat roof. Not even close.
This kind of “referral roofer” mistake happens all the time — especially after storms, leaks, or when budgets get tight. It feels like a quick win: save some money, skip the formal bid process, and just get it done.
But what actually happens?
They don’t pull permits.
They use residential materials on a commercial system.
They don’t understand flat roof drainage.
They “fix” a leak with a patch that lasts a few months.
And worst of all… they vanish when the job goes sideways.
We’re not knocking small crews or startups — everyone has to start somewhere.
But when you’re managing a commercial building, you can’t afford to roll the dice on someone who’s never worked on a TPO system or doesn’t even know what a scupper is.
Because when things go wrong (and they often do), you’re the one left holding the bag — and it usually costs way more to undo a bad job than to do it right the first time.
When the Job Goes Sideways, Your “Buddy’s Roofer” Is Nowhere to Be Found
It always starts the same way.
They’re friendly. They’re flexible. They’ll “work with your budget.” And maybe — at first — it seems like they’ve got things under control.
But what happens when the work starts falling apart?
A week goes by and that leak is back.
Your ceiling tiles are stained again.
The HVAC curb they “sealed” is now letting water into your tenant’s office.
And suddenly, that friendly neighborhood roofer who swore they’d “take care of you” stops answering your calls.
This is where the real cost kicks in.
See, the guys doing you a favor? The ones working off the books or on a handshake? They’re not coming back when there’s a problem. You’ve got:
No contract to enforce
No warranty to lean on
No paper trail to back you up with insurance
And no chance of holding them accountable when your property starts taking water again
They might not even be local. Or insured. Or trained to work on commercial systems. And now you’re stuck calling a professional — paying twice, cleaning up the mess, and dealing with the downtime you were trying to avoid in the first place.
We’ve had calls from business owners in Elkhart, Mishawaka, and even as far as Chicago, saying the same thing:
“We tried to save a few bucks… and now we’re worse off than before.”
It’s not about shaming people for trying to cut costs. We get it. Budgets matter. But saving a few thousand dollars up front doesn’t mean much when it costs you tens of thousands in repairs, water damage, or lost revenue on the back end.
Why Real Commercial Contractors Actually Cost Less in the Long Run
Let’s talk money — because that’s usually why someone hires a friend-of-a-friend roofer in the first place. You’re thinking short-term savings. Get it done quick, get it done cheap, and move on.
But here’s the truth: every commercial building owner we’ve talked to who went that route eventually paid more. Sometimes a lot more.
Why?
Because quick fixes from unqualified roofers usually don’t address the root problem. They patch over it. Cover it up. Hope it holds until the next storm.
And then it fails. And then you’re dealing with:
More interior damage
More business interruption
A second roofing job — now under pressure
And a whole lot more stress
Meanwhile, a legitimate commercial roofing contractor is going to look at the whole system. Not just the leak. Not just what’s visible. We think long-term — because we’re building something we’re going to stand behind.
That means:
Proper diagnostics (thermal imaging, core samples, etc.)
The right materials for your specific system
Crew members who are trained and OSHA-compliant
Permits pulled and up to code
And a real warranty that protects you if something goes wrong
It’s not just about being “the better contractor.” It’s about giving you the actual value you thought you were getting when you hired that cheaper roofer. The peace of mind. The reliability. The not-having-to-think-about-it-again part.
In most cases, when you compare the cost of doing it right versus fixing it twice, the pro ends up being the better deal — and the smarter one.
What to Ask Before You Hire Any Roofer — Even One You Know Personally
Look — we’re not saying you can’t trust someone just because you know them. But if you’re running a commercial building, managing tenants, or protecting business operations, you can’t treat roofing like a favor. You’ve got too much on the line.
So even if it’s your friend’s buddy, your nephew’s contractor, or your neighbor’s “go-to guy,” ask the right questions before you let them touch your roof:
1. Are you licensed and insured to do commercial work in this state?
This is non-negotiable. Residential experience doesn’t count. You need a contractor who’s legal, covered, and experienced with commercial codes.
2. Can you show me recent commercial projects you’ve done?
Not houses. Not sheds. Real flat or low-slope commercial buildings. If they can’t point to a job like yours, they’re not ready for your roof.
3. Will I get a written estimate and scope of work?
If they’re vague about costs or don’t want to put anything on paper, stop right there. You need clear numbers, clear responsibilities, and clear documentation.
4. What happens if there’s a leak after the job?
Any legit contractor should have a warranty — in writing — and a plan to make things right if there’s a problem. If all you get is a shrug or a “don’t worry about it,” you’re taking on all the risk.
5. Are you using the right materials for a commercial system?
Flat roofs, metal roofs, and TPO systems require different products than a pitched asphalt shingle roof. Using the wrong materials can void warranties, create drainage issues, and lead to early failure.
These questions aren’t about being difficult. They’re about making sure you’re protected.
Because at the end of the day, it’s your roof, your building, and your liability if things go south.
Your Roof Isn’t the Place for “Doing Someone a Favor”
Here’s the truth most people learn the hard way:
A commercial roof isn’t a handshake project.
It’s not something to “try out” with someone’s buddy. It’s not where you go to save a couple bucks with a guy who fixed your neighbor’s shed.
It’s one of the most critical parts of your building — protecting your business, your tenants, your equipment, your operations.
And when it fails? It fails big.
So if you’re thinking about calling that friend-of-a-friend just because they’re convenient or cheap, take a step back and ask yourself this:
If they mess it up… are they equipped to fix it? Will they even be around to try?
At American Builders, we’ve seen the aftermath of bad calls, quick patch jobs, and ghosted projects more times than we can count. And we’ve built our business by doing the opposite — honest inspections, real solutions, and work that holds up long after the storm passes.
If you’re ready to stop rolling the dice on your roof, reach out to us today.
We’ll walk it, inspect it, and give you a straight answer — in writing.
No favors. No gimmicks. Just good roofing done right the first time.
