Whenever a Colorado hailstorm rips through a community, homeowners are faced with the task of hiring a roofing contractor to repair the damage. The Colorado Roofing Association would like to remind home and commercial building owners alike, that there are several guidelines you should follow to ensure that any necessary work will be done right.
DON’T SIGN ANYTHING. If you are asked to sign anything by a solicitor
knocking on your door, don’t sign it right away and don’t assume it is just an
estimate or permission to get on your roof. The majority of the time it is a
roofing contract and probably includes a 20% cancellation clause.
Be Patient
Take time to follow the necessary steps and understand that quality contractors will be busy shortly after a major storm. Find out what you need and who you're working with! If your roof isn't leaking, it can usually wait until the contractor you feel most comfortable with can schedule your roof. Insurance companies will usually extend time requirements in disaster situations.
The Agreement
The agreement should clearly state materials to be used and labor to be performed, along with terms of payment and who is responsible for permits, etc. It should spell out how long you have to accept the prices quoted as well as if there are any penalties should you choose to cancel the contract once it has been signed. When you are ready to sign the actual contract, be sure that EVERYTHING you have agreed to is in writing.
Call your Insurance Company
It is solely the insurance adjuster's job to assess the damage. It is the homeowner's responsibility to choose the roofing contractor. Deductibles and insurance quotes should remain between the homeowner and the insurance company. A roofing contractor should not get involved in paying a deductible for a homeowner. It is illegal for a roofing contractor to offer to cover your deductible either in full or with coupon or advertising allowance (Colorado Revised Statute 18-13-119.5). They shouldn't need to see an insurance quote in order to be able to do an INITIAL estimate for you.
Proof of Insurance
Proof of insurance, including Workers' Compensation and General Liability, should be verified before the contract is signed. And don't stop there! While insurance will protect you monetarily, a contractor's safety practices will spare you the emotional anguish, if not legal hassle, of an injury occurring on your property. Ask your contractor if they provide safety training to their employees or if they will engage in any type of formal safety plan while on your property. OSHA requires that all roofing contractors use fall protection.
Get a Professional Second and Third Opinion
It is a good idea to have more than one contractor look at your roof and give you an estimate. Make sure that you are comparing apples to apples in each bid and that you understand the proposal. A good estimate should be detailed, itemizing materials to be used and labor to be completed. Ask about a time-frame for the proposed work. While it is difficult for contractors to pinpoint an exact start date, they should at least be able to confirm a schedule for the work once it has begun and/or material has been delivered.
Payment
Payment should not be made until you are satisfied with the completed work. Ability to finance labor and materials is a sign of financial stability of the contractor. If material is delivered to your home and then payment is requested, consider making a joint check payable to both the contractor and material supplier. You may ask for a full lien release as a condition of final payment.
Check Out the Contractors
Warranty
This should be in writing and the contractor should be able to provide you with a sample for your review before signing a contract. From start to finish, use good common sense when selecting someone to work on your home. Low bids can often mean someone is cutting corners to make a profit. Price should not be the sole determining factor when choosing a contractor. Determine your needs, don't allow yourself to be pressured, make a smart decision and you'll be pleased with your investment.
Common Sense
From start to finish, use good common sense when selecting someone to work on your home. Low bids can often mean someone is cutting corners to make a profit. Price should not be the sole determining factor when choosing a contractor. Determine your needs, don't allow yourself to be pressured, make a smart decision and you'll be pleased with your investment.
