The Hidden Costs of Cheap Standing Seam Installation: What Asheville Homeowners Should Know

You’ve researched standing seam metal roofing and decided it’s right for your home. You get three bids. One comes in noticeably lower than the others. That lower price is tempting, especially when standing seam already represents a significant investment.

Before jumping at the bargain, consider this: standing seam roofing is only as good as its installation. The materials are important, but how those materials are handled, attached, and detailed determines whether your roof lasts 50 years or starts having problems in 5.

This isn’t scare tactics. It’s reality we’ve seen repeatedly when called to fix roofs installed by contractors who cut corners to offer low prices.

What Goes Wrong with Cut-Rate Installation

Improper Panel Attachment

Standing seam panels attach to the roof through clips that allow the panels to expand and contract with temperature changes. Quality installation requires:

  • Correct clip spacing based on panel length and local wind loads
  • Proper fastening of clips to the roof deck
  • Clips positioned correctly relative to panel seams

Cut-rate installers often space clips too far apart (faster installation, fewer clips purchased). This saves time and material cost but leaves panels inadequately secured. Years later, wind uplift forces can pull panels loose, or thermal cycling causes oil-canning (wavy distortion in the panel flat areas).

We’ve seen roofs where clips were spaced 36″ apart when the specifications called for 24″ spacing. That’s 33% fewer clips, and the homeowner couldn’t see the difference until problems developed.

Poor Seam Engagement

Whether snap-lock or mechanical seam, the connection between panels must be complete and consistent along the entire seam length. Proper engagement requires:

  • Panels aligned precisely before seaming
  • Consistent pressure during snap-lock engagement
  • Proper seaming tool technique for mechanical seam systems

Rushed installation leads to incomplete seam engagement. Sections of seam that aren’t fully connected allow water infiltration and reduce wind resistance. These defects aren’t visible from the ground and may not cause problems immediately, but they compromise the roof’s long-term performance.

Inadequate Flashing

Every roof has transitions: where the roof meets walls, chimneys, vents, skylights, valleys, and changes in plane. Each transition requires custom flashing work to maintain weathertight integrity. This detail work separates quality installations from poor ones.

Cut-rate contractors often:

  • Use generic flashing pieces that don’t fit properly
  • Apply excessive caulk to compensate for poor fit (caulk fails within years)
  • Skip or shortcut complex details to save time
  • Use incompatible materials that corrode against the roof panels

Flashing failures are the most common source of leaks in standing seam roofs. A roof can have perfect panels and still leak badly if the flashings are wrong.

Wrong or Insufficient Underlayment

The underlayment between roof decking and metal panels matters. Quality installation uses high-temperature synthetic underlayment rated for metal roofing applications. It must be installed properly with appropriate overlaps and sealed at penetrations.

Cheap installations might use:

  • Standard asphalt-felt underlayment that degrades under metal’s heat
  • Inadequate overlap at seams
  • No ice and water shield at eaves and valleys
  • Punctured or torn underlayment left unrepaired

When underlayment fails, condensation issues and leaks follow. You can’t inspect the underlayment once the roof is complete.

Substandard Materials

Low bids sometimes come from using cheaper materials than specified or expected. This might include:

  • Thinner gauge panels (26-gauge instead of 24-gauge)
  • Lower-quality paint systems (SMP instead of PVDF/Kynar)
  • Generic clips and fasteners instead of manufacturer-specified components
  • Inferior trim and flashing materials

A homeowner who isn’t experienced with metal roofing may not notice these substitutions. The roof looks similar but doesn’t perform the same over time. The thinner panels dent more easily. The inferior paint fades and chalks sooner. The generic clips may not meet wind uplift requirements.

No Warranty Coverage

Quality manufacturers require installers to follow specific procedures to maintain warranty coverage. This includes proper training, using approved components, and following installation specifications. Cut-rate contractors often:

  • Lack manufacturer certification or training
  • Use substitute components that void warranties
  • Skip required steps that manufacturers mandate
  • Fail to register the installation for warranty coverage

The homeowner may believe they have a 40-year warranty, but if the installation didn’t follow requirements, that warranty may be unenforceable. We’ve seen homeowners discover this only when they tried to make a warranty claim.

Real Costs of Installation Problems

Premature Repairs

Standing seam done right needs minimal maintenance for decades. Standing seam done poorly needs repairs within years. Every service call costs money. Every leak causes stress and potential damage to interior finishes.

If you spend $5,000 less on initial installation but need $2,000 in repairs every few years, the “savings” disappear quickly.

Shortened Lifespan

A properly installed standing seam roof can last 50+ years. One with systemic installation problems might need replacement in 15-20 years. Instead of one roof that outlasts your ownership of the home, you face another major roofing investment decades before you should.

Secondary Damage

Roof leaks damage more than the roof. Water intrusion can cause:

  • Stained and ruined ceiling finishes
  • Mold growth requiring remediation
  • Damaged insulation losing R-value
  • Rotted roof deck needing replacement
  • Damaged attic storage

These secondary costs add up far beyond the cost of proper installation in the first place.

Lower Property Value

When you sell your home, a prospective buyer’s inspector may identify roofing problems. This can kill deals or require price reductions far exceeding what you “saved” on installation. A 10-year-old standing seam roof with problems is worth less than a 10-year-old roof that was done right.

Stress and Hassle

Beyond dollar costs, there’s the stress of dealing with a leaking roof. The anxiety during every heavy rain. The hassle of coordinating repairs. The frustration of trying to get a cut-rate contractor to return calls. This isn’t quantifiable, but it’s real.

Warning Signs of a Low-Quality Contractor

When evaluating bids, watch for these red flags.

No Manufacturer Certification

Quality standing seam manufacturers certify installers who complete training and agree to follow specifications. If a contractor can’t name their certifications or says they don’t need them, question their expertise.

Reluctant to Show Insurance

Legitimate contractors carry liability insurance and workers’ compensation. They provide certificates without hesitation. Contractors who dodge insurance questions may be uninsured or underinsured, putting you at risk.

Vague Written Estimates

A proper estimate specifies exactly what’s included: panel gauge and material, panel profile, underlayment type, clip specifications, trim details, and scope of work. Vague estimates like “install metal roof, complete job” leave room for substitutions and shortcuts you won’t notice until it’s too late.

Pressure to Decide Quickly

Legitimate contractors understand this is a major decision. High-pressure tactics (“this price is only good today”) often signal desperation for work, which correlates with lower quality.

No Local Track Record

Fly-by-night contractors appear after storms, collect deposits, do shoddy work (or no work), and disappear. Ask for local references you can actually contact. Drive by completed projects. Check how long they’ve been in business and whether they have a physical local presence.

Price Far Below Others

If one bid is 30-40% lower than others, ask why. Maybe they genuinely found efficiencies. More likely, they’re cutting corners on materials, labor, or both. The low bidder who seems too good to be true usually is.

What Quality Installation Looks Like

For comparison, here’s what you should expect from a reputable standing seam contractor.

Detailed Consultation

Before quoting, they should thoroughly examine your roof, measure precisely, identify potential challenges, and discuss options. A contractor who quotes without seeing your roof can’t know what they’re actually bidding.

Comprehensive Written Proposal

The proposal should specify:

  • Exact panel material, gauge, and profile
  • Paint system and finish
  • Underlayment products and application
  • Clip type and spacing
  • Trim and flashing details
  • Scope of tear-off (if applicable)
  • Deck repair handling
  • Permit responsibility
  • Timeline estimate
  • Warranty information for both materials and workmanship

Verifiable Credentials

They should provide proof of:

  • State licensing (NC General Contractor or relevant classification)
  • Liability insurance with adequate limits
  • Workers’ compensation coverage
  • Manufacturer certifications where relevant

References and Portfolio

They should readily provide references from past standing seam projects and examples of completed work. Ideally, they can show you a roof they installed several years ago so you can see how it’s holding up.

Professional Contract

A legitimate contract covers all parties’ responsibilities, payment terms, change order procedures, timeline expectations, and warranty terms. Never proceed with just a handshake or a vague “we’ll take care of it.”

Reasonable Deposit Structure

A typical arrangement involves a deposit (often 30-50%) at signing, with the balance due upon completion. Contractors demanding full payment upfront or using aggressive payment schedules may be financially unstable.

Protecting Your Investment

Get Multiple Bids

Three bids minimum. This gives you a realistic range for your project. If one outlier is far below the others, investigate why before assuming it’s a good deal.

Ask Questions

Don’t hesitate to ask contractors about their methods, materials, and experience with standing seam specifically. Legitimate contractors welcome informed customers and answer questions willingly.

Check References

Actually call references. Visit completed projects if possible. Ask about the experience, not just whether the roof leaks. Were they professional? Did they communicate well? Did they clean up properly?

Verify Insurance

Request current insurance certificates and verify they’re active. A quick call to the insurance company confirms coverage.

Read the Contract Carefully

Understand what’s included and what’s not. If something is unclear, ask before signing. Get all verbal promises in writing.

Document Everything

During installation, photograph the work in progress if you can do so safely. This documentation helps if issues arise later.

Our Approach

At Secure Roofing, we don’t try to be the cheapest bid. We try to be the best value. There’s a difference.

We use quality materials, experienced crews, and proven methods because that’s what delivers roofs that actually last. We provide detailed proposals so you know exactly what you’re getting. We carry proper insurance and maintain our certifications.

When you compare our proposals to competitors, we encourage you to compare specifics, not just bottom-line numbers. What gauge panel? What paint system? What clip spacing? What warranty terms?

We’re happy to explain our pricing and show you what differentiates quality installation from cut-rate work. There’s no pressure, and we won’t disparage other contractors. We just explain what we do and why we do it that way.

Call 828-888-ROOF for your free consultation and detailed estimate.