Colorado Roofing Association
Selecting a Professional Roofing Contractor

Professional Roofing Contractors are...
• Properly licensed
• Committed to high-quality work
• Service oriented
• Ethical in their business dealings
• Established, proven and reliable
• Technically competent
• Willing to stand behind their work
• Committed to their industry
• Insured and committed to safety
• Trained and experienced

When it's time to select a roofing contractor, remember that all roofing contractors are not alike. A new roof is a big investment. Take your time and make a smart decision. Use good common sense and follow these guidelines.

Don't rush into a re-roofing contract until you've had a chance to check out your potential contractor.

Be careful about paying for work in advance. Consider making the check payable to both the roofing contractor and the company supplying the materials.

Don't proceed without the contractor's proof of workers compensation and general liability insurance. Check with the insurance company to see if it's still in force.

Ask your friends and neighbors about contractors they have used. The best referral is a satisfied customer.

All warranties should be in writing. Read before you sign. Even though your insurance company is paying for the work, the liability is yours if the work is not done professionally.

Look for a company with a proven track record. And look for a company that conducts business in a professional manner. Avoid hiring a fly-by-night roofer by making sure the contractors have permanent business addresses, phone numbers, and tax i.d. number.

Once you have three or four company names, call and ask them to come out and give you an estimate. Then do some detective work on each one.

Call the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints on file against the contractor.

Ask for a list of customer references from the contractor and call some of them to find out if they were satisfied with the job. You may want to visit some completed jobs.

Ask the contractor if he is licensed. You might want to contact your city licensing bureau to check the license number and see if there are any complaints on file.

Make sure the contractor offers a warranty for both materials and workmanship and make sure it is in writing.

Ask the contractor about craftsmanship. Some signs of a commitment to quality work are underlayment, water shield membrane at roof edges, woven valleys, metal flashings, metal flashings around penetrations and at walls and top quality materials, not seconds.

Get written estimates and make sure they are itemized enough to compare them to each other. Do not make any verbal agreements.

Make sure the contractor is familiar with and follows the manufacturer's printed instructions. Incorrect installation may void the manufacturer's warranty.

Be wary of contractors with very low bids. They may have to cut corners to make a profit. Remember, price is only one of the criteria for selecting a contractor.

Choose a company committed to the education and safety of its workers. A commitment to safety indicates an overall commitment to quality.

EXTRAS. . . Protection of your shrubs and flower gardens is important. Removing roof related debris from inside of gutters and yard clean-up after they roof should be part of the job.

For a listing of CRA Contractors click here.

For more consumer information from the National Roofing Contractors Association, click here.