Replacing a roof is one of the biggest checks most homeowners will ever write, and it is a decision you usually make once every couple of decades. That is exactly why so much bad information sticks around. Neighbors repeat what they heard, door knockers say what closes the sale, and the internet fills in the rest.
John Beal Roofing has been replacing roofs since 1947. We are three generations in, with more than 50,000 customers across Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. In the video at the top of this article, John Beal runs through the five myths we hear most often. Below, we go a little deeper on each one, with the questions to ask and the things to check before you sign anything.
Myth #1: Is the cheapest roofing quote the best deal?
The truth: price isn’t value. Two estimates can look like they cover the same roof and still be very different jobs. A lower number often means something got left out: a lighter underlayment, fewer nails per shingle, no ice and water shield where code calls for it, or old shingles left in place instead of torn off.
When you line up two estimates, make sure you are comparing the same roof:
- Same shingle system and the same manufacturer
- Same quantities and scope, written and itemized
- Full tear-off versus a layover
- Underlayment, ice and water shield, flashing and ventilation spelled out line by line
- A comparable warranty, in writing
- A licensed, insured contractor with a track record
That is the thinking behind our Best Value Guarantee: we guarantee the best value on your project or we pay you $200. Bring us a qualifying written estimate and we will compare it. If we match or improve the value, you choose John Beal Roofing. If we decide not to, we refund your deposit and pay you an additional $200. The competing contractor has to meet eight standards: BBB Accredited, 10+ years in business, licensed and insured, the same system and manufacturer, the same quantities and scope, a written itemized proposal, comparable warranties, and a current, verifiable estimate.
Myth #2: No leak, no problem?
The truth: hail damage hides. A roof can take real damage and keep you dry for a while. Hail bruises shingles and knocks the protective granules loose. Wind breaks the seal that holds shingles down. None of that drips on your kitchen table the next morning, and most of it is impossible to see from the ground. By the time a stain shows up on a ceiling, the damage has usually been there for months.
What you can safely check from the ground, without climbing a ladder:
- Granules collecting in your gutters or at the bottom of downspouts
- Missing, lifted or curling shingles
- Dents on gutters, downspouts, vents or the air-conditioning unit after a storm
- Torn or loose flashing around the chimney
- Water stains on ceilings or in the attic
Please don’t get on the roof yourself. If a storm has come through, a free inspection from a trained specialist will tell you what is really up there. Our storm damage team answers 24/7.
Myth #3: Can you just put a new roof over the old shingles?
The truth: tear it off and check the wood. Roofing over old shingles can be done, but it is better to tear the whole thing off. When the old roof comes off, the crew can see the wood decking underneath, find soft or rotted spots, and fix them before anything new goes down. That way the new roof starts fresh instead of sitting on top of problems nobody looked at.
On a John Beal Roofing roof replacement, the old roofing is completely stripped so we can inspect the decking and chimney flashing. Then we install underlayment and code-required ice and water shield, and the new shingles go on. Most residential replacements take one to three days, and every job finishes with cleanup and a magnetic nail sweep of the yard and driveway.
Myth #4: Are all roofing warranties the same?
The truth: ours is lifetime. A roof usually carries two different warranties, and they cover different things. The manufacturer’s product warranty covers the materials. A workmanship warranty covers how the roof was installed. Installation problems are the ones homeowners most often run into, so the workmanship warranty matters just as much as the shingle brand.
Every roof John Beal Roofing installs comes with a lifetime workmanship warranty, plus the manufacturer’s standard product warranty. It isn’t an upgrade or a promotion. It comes with every roof.
A warranty is only as good as the company behind it. We have been family-owned since 1947, so we have been around long enough to actually stand behind a lifetime warranty. Before you sign with anyone, ask:
- How long does the workmanship warranty last, and is it in writing?
- What does the manufacturer’s warranty cover, and who registers it?
- How long has this company been in business, and will it be here to honor the warranty?
Myth #5: Insurance won’t help with a new roof?
The truth: if there’s damage, we handle the claim. A lot of homeowners never call because they assume insurance won’t cover anything, or because the claim process looks like more trouble than it’s worth. If a storm has damaged your roof, that assumption can cost you.
Here is how it works with John Beal Roofing. A specialist inspects your roof for free and checks a 10-by-10-foot test area on every slope. If enough damage is found, we help you file the insurance claim and meet your insurance adjuster directly to agree on the scope of work. Our dedicated insurance team handles every phase from there, including depreciation and mortgage company paperwork. In most cases, the only out-of-pocket cost is your deductible.
Insurance doesn’t pay for every roof. It depends on whether damage is found and on your policy. A contractor who offers to “waive” or “cover” your deductible is offering something that is against the law, and you should walk away.
Video transcript — John Beal, Owner: “The five biggest roof replacement myths. One: the cheapest quote is the best deal. Price isn't value. Two: no leak, no problem. Hail damage hides. Three: roof over the old shingles. Tear it off and check the wood. Four: all warranties are the same. Ours is lifetime. Five: insurance won't help. If there's damage, we handle the claim. Call me, 1-800-JOHN-BEAL.”
How do you compare two roofing estimates?
Lay the estimates side by side and go line by line. A fair comparison answers yes to every one of these:
- Is it the same shingle line from the same manufacturer?
- Are the square footage, quantities and scope the same?
- Does each one include a full tear-off and a decking inspection?
- Are underlayment, ice and water shield, flashing and ventilation listed?
- Are both warranties written out: workmanship and manufacturer?
- Is each contractor licensed, insured and BBB Accredited, with real local reviews?
- Is the estimate written, itemized and current?
If one estimate comes in much lower, find the line that is missing. There almost always is one.
Why work with a local, family-owned roofer?
A roof is a 20-plus-year relationship, not a one-day transaction. You want the company that installed it to still be answering the phone when you need it next. John Beal Roofing has been family-owned since 1947, with 10+ offices serving more than 500 cities across Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.
- BBB Torch Award Winner for Ethics, and a BBB Accredited Contractor
- GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, and CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster
- Named one of Roofing Contractor Magazine’s Top 100 Roofing Companies
- Hundreds of 5-star reviews from homeowners
- Free, no-obligation estimates and 24/7 emergency service
Thinking about a new roof? Call 1-800-JOHN-BEAL (1-800-564-6232), answered 24 hours a day, or request a free inspection. We will measure your roof before we quote it, and we will walk you through every line.
Frequently asked questions
Is the cheapest roofing quote ever the right choice?
It can be, but only when it covers the same roof. Compare the shingle system and manufacturer, the quantities and scope, the underlayment and ice and water shield, the warranty, and whether the old roof is being torn off. A low number that leaves those out is not a lower price for the same roof.
Can my roof have hail damage if it isn't leaking?
Yes. Hail can bruise shingles and knock granules loose without causing a leak right away. That damage is usually not visible from the ground, and leaks can show up months later. A free inspection is the way to know for sure.
Can you put new shingles over old ones?
You can, but it is better to tear the old roof off. A full tear-off lets the crew see the wood decking underneath, fix bad spots first, and start the new roof fresh.
What warranty comes with a John Beal Roofing roof?
Every roof we install comes with a lifetime workmanship warranty, plus the manufacturer's standard product warranty on the materials. We have been family-owned since 1947, so we have been around long enough to actually stand behind a lifetime warranty.
Will insurance pay for my new roof?
Not always. It depends on whether storm damage is found and on your policy. If damage is found, John Beal Roofing helps you file the claim, meets your adjuster on site and handles the paperwork. In most cases, your only out-of-pocket cost is your deductible.
How long does a roof replacement take?
Most residential roof replacements take one to three days, depending on the size and complexity of the roof. Every job ends with cleanup and a magnetic nail sweep.
When Mother Nature’s at her worst, we’re at our best. That’s the John Beal difference.