Beware of Unlicensed Contractors

Not all roofing contractors are legitimate, and too many home and building owners have paid dearly for using them.

1. This type of scam artist is unlicensed, uninsured, and probably lacking in experience. He may use high pressure or scare tactics, and “bonus offers” to get your business. He may ask you for a substantial down payment prior to starting the job. Beware of any and all such schemes.
2. If you do use an unlicensed, uninsured firm or individual, don’t be mislead into believing that your homeowner’s or personal liability policy necessarily protects you. In many cases, you may be liable for suit.
3. A large number of home and building owners have been dragged into litigation involving uninsured contractors. If an employee of an unlicensed contractor is injured on your home or building, you may be responsible for his injuries or disabilities. In addition, you probably have no protection in the event damage is done to your property or the property of others by the roofer during the course of the work.
4. Often the end result of using an unlicensed contractor is a poorly installed or poorly designed roofing system. This is worse than no job at all, and may end up costing you more in the long run.
5. Another reason to avoid this type of contractor: if he does not pay the suppliers whose materials are used on your project, you may find a lien placed on your property even though you have paid for the work. This means you may end up paying for the same materials twice.

All in all, most home and building owners have found that using unlicensed, uninsured roofers is not worth the risk. Check out our guide to spoting roofing scams to learn more.

Please Note:

• There is no statewide roofing license or registration requirement within the state of Colorado for roofing contractors. Rather, roofing contractors or other construction professionals installing or repairing a roof MUST be licensed and/or pull a roofing permit with each Colorado local city or county jurisdiction where the work is to be performed. If a contractor gives you a license number, you should confirm with your city or county’s building department where the home or building resides that the license number was issued by them and is current.
• Be sure to also verify public adjusters. Public adjusters may also begin contacting you if you have suffered damage to your home. You are not required to hire a public adjuster, but if you do, make sure he or she is licensed and reputable – check references. If possible, hire a Colorado-based adjuster. Colorado’s Department of Insurance (DOI) licenses public adjusters and consumers can call the Division to verify a license. Public adjusters work on behalf of a consumer and receive a negotiated commission based on the final payment of the claim. They sign a contract with a consumer to assist in negotiating the consumer’s insurance claim. Effective 1/1/2014, Colorado HB13-1062 further clarifies that a public adjuster ‘shall not participate directly or indirectly in the reconstruction, repair, or restoration of damaged property that is the subject of a claim adjusted by the public adjuster’. HB1062 clearly delineates that a roofing contractor who is also licensed as a public adjuster may not act as the claim adjuster and then perform the work – eliminating any conflict where there is a financial interest in the loss involved.