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Why “Apples to Apples” Doesn’t Work in Commercial Roofing

When facility managers or owners of commercial properties begin receiving roof bids for repairs or replacements, a common phrase we frequently encounter is: 

“I just want apples to apples.” 

We get it. At Weather Shield Roofing Systems™, we’ve been helping businesses for over 40 years, and we’ve heard this countless times. The intent behind it is simple: you want a level playing field. A clean, easy comparison so you can pick the best price. On paper, that sounds reasonable. 

But here’s the problem: commercial roofing is not apples to apples. In fact, it’s more like apples to bananas to pineapples to 6,000 different types of apples. Trying to force an “apples to apples” comparison during the bid process can actually hurt you more than help. 

Why the “Apples to Apples” Approach Feels Safe (But Isn’t) 

If you’re not a roofing expert—and why would you be?—it makes sense that you’d want all contractors bidding the same scope. That way, you think you can clearly compare roof bid prices and make the best decision. It feels like a logical, efficient process. 

But here’s the issue: how do you even know if that scope is right for your building? 

Too often, the scope is not based on the unique conditions of your roof. Instead, it relies on assumptions or, even worse, a guess. It becomes all about the numbers, not about whether the solution is the right one for your roof, your goals, or your budget. 

And suddenly, your comparison isn’t apples to apples. It’s more like comparing Fuji to Granny Smith to Gala… but not knowing which one makes the best pie. 

Why Every Commercial Roof Is Different 

Here’s something we say a lot: every roof is different. 

Your business isn’t cookie-cutter, so your roof shouldn’t be either. 

The age of the roof, the number of layers, the insulation underneath, the slope, how much foot traffic it gets, what kind of HVAC units or vents are on it—these things matter. Add in factors like energy codes, drainage challenges, or how long you plan to stay in the building, and suddenly the “one-size-fits-all” scope doesn’t make much sense. 

At Weather Shield, we don’t just take measurements and send a quote. We conduct moisture assessments, evaluate the current system, and discuss your priorities with you. That matters. Because roofing isn’t a commodity—it’s a major investment. 

What You Might Be Missing With “Just Bid It Like This” 

A common scenario we see: a building owner says, “Tear it all off, add this much insulation, and install TPO. Just bid that so I can compare to other roofing contractors.” 

But what if that’s not the best approach? 

What if your insulation is still in great shape and can be reused, saving you thousands? 

What if the building use requires a different membrane—say, something grease-resistant for a restaurant or chemical-resistant for a lab? 

What if the deck has hidden moisture damage that won’t be addressed until it becomes a major problem? 

By pre-defining the solution, you might unknowingly be limiting roofing contractors from offering a smarter, more cost-effective, longer-lasting option. And the good contractors? The ones who take the time to do the analysis, who want to give you their best thinking—they’ll be handcuffed. 

Some customers approach us with detailed bid requests, but we always suggest evaluating their roof first — because sometimes, what they think they need isn’t actually necessary. 

That’s not us being difficult—that’s us being honest. 

What You Should Be Asking Instead 

Rather than forcing identical bids, the better question to ask is: 

“What would you do if this was your building?” 

At Weather Shield, we ask ourselves that question all the time. It guides how we inspect, how we plan, and how we recommend. We’re not looking to sell the most expensive option. In fact, there have been rare occasions where we’ve told a customer to go with another contractor because they were offering a solid scope of work at a better price. 

That’s not a loss—that’s how you build trust. 

How to Truly Compare Roof Bids 

Price matters—we won’t pretend it doesn’t. But price without context can be misleading. Here are better questions to ask when evaluating proposals: 

• Has the contractor actually spent time on my roof, or have they just taken quick measurements? 
• Did they perform a moisture scan or core cuts? 
• Are they offering multiple solutions, or just pushing one membrane? 
• Have they explained why they’re recommending a specific system? 
• Is the warranty coming from the manufacturer, the contractor, or both? 
• Have they asked about my business operations, goals, and budget? 
• Do they clearly outline what could go wrong and how they’ll handle it? 
• Are they responsive, communicative, and respectful of my time? 

It’s not just about the system—it’s about the people behind it. Do you trust them? Do they seem like they genuinely care about the long-term performance of your roof? 

Choosing Value Over Just Price 

One of the biggest frustrations building owners face is the uncertainty: 

“Contractor A says tear it off. Contractor B says overlay. Contractor C says patch and wait. Who’s right?” 

It’s overwhelming. And that’s why “apples to apples” feels like a safe place to land. 

But the truth is, there isn’t always just one “right” answer. There are often several ways to solve a roofing problem, and the best solution for you depends on your building, your priorities, and your long-term plans. 

At Weather Shield Roofing Systems, we don’t want to be the roofing contractor that only owns a hammer—because when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Instead, we bring the full toolkit. Experience. Technology. Options. 

We work with multiple manufacturers because we don’t want to be locked into one brand. Some manufacturers require adding expensive insulation just to validate a warranty—even when you don’t need it. That could unnecessarily add hundreds of thousands to your project. We think that’s wrong. 

We want to bring you the best value, not just the cheapest price. 

The Weather Shield Difference

At the end of the day, we love when our customers ask questions. 

What about this material? 

Why are you recommending that method? 

Can you explain how this compares to another approach? 

Because those questions lead to better conversations—and better decisions. 

If you’re facing a big roofing decision and you’re feeling pressure to get six quotes and “just compare,” let’s talk. We’ll help you understand what your roof needs, what options exist, and how to protect your investment wisely. 

At Weather Shield Roofing Systems™, we’re committed to transparency, quality, and delivering commercial roofing solutions that make sense for your business—not just the lowest number on a spreadsheet. 

If you want real answers and real clarity, we’re here to help.