Customer Demanded Free Roof Inspection Then Tried to DIY Fix It Themselves

Had this nightmare client last week who called up whining about leaks in their asphalt shingles, swore it was from the last storm. I did a full inspection, pointed out the missing underlayment and those GAF Timberline HDZ shingles were curling bad from age, probably 20 years old. Told 'em straight, full tear-off and replace with synthetic underlayment like Titanium PSU30 or they'd keep calling. They nodded, then ghosted me and I hear from the neighbor they tried patching it with some Home Depot sealant kit. Now it's leaking worse, and they're back begging for a discount redo. Out here in Arizona the sun beats everything to hell, so these shortcuts just accelerate the damage. TBH, part of me wants to walk away but bills gotta get paid. Anyone else dealing with these know-it-all types who half-ass it after you warn 'em?

Walked into a similar crap show yesterday, client patched their ridge vent with duct tape after I quoted the full ridge cap replacement.

Dude, same here. Arizona sun doesn't forgive amateur hour.

Document everything in writing before you start. Send a follow-up email summarizing your advice and their response. Covers your ass if they sue later.

These clients are the worst, man.

Haha, watched 'em try to use a leaf blower to 'dry' the leak. Ended up blowing shingles off.

Can't stand it, just walked off a job last month because of this BS.

Insurance companies hate these DIY disasters too, claims get denied left and right.

Frustrated doesn't cover it, lost a whole weekend chasing one down.

Echo that, brother. Same crap every season.

Guy in the Roofing Pros Facebook group just posted about a client who superglued shingles back on. Hilarious but tragic.

Don't touch it with a 10-foot pole unless they pay premium for the mess they made.

These people make me wanna quit sometimes.

Another one bites the dust, had a lady try to silicone the whole valley. Leaked into the attic within days.

Pisses me off how they ignore pros then cry when it fails.

Charge 'em double for the redo, make 'em learn the hard way.

Saw a post on r/Roofing about this exact thing, guy ended up firing the client.

Man, the stories never end with these folks.

We all been burned by one.

Finally turned one around last year, quoted high for the fix and they paid up after seeing the damage pics. Felt good.

Hate these situations, drains the soul.