Selecting a Professional Contractor

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Colorado Roofing Association contractor members, upon joining the association, fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

1. A roofing contractor business license showing that the company has been in operation for a minimum of two years, issued by a Colorado municipality or jurisdiction that requires a test for licensing; or roofing contractor business licenses showing that the company has been in business for at least two years issued by two Colorado municipalities that do not require a test for licensing.
2. Documentation of current Colorado Worker's Compensation Coverage reflecting roofing or sheet metal classifications.
3. A certificate of insurance showing general liability protection of at least $500,000.00.
4. Evidence of passing a nationally recognized examination that address roofing work on residential and/or commercial property.
5. They sign and abide by the CRA Code of Ethics.

Guidelines for Selecting a Contractor

When it’s time to select a Denver roofing company, or 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 sign anything! Know that anything you sign — no matter what you are told — is a binding contract!
• Don’t sign a contract or proposal without a price. As of 6/6/2012, contracts MUST HAVE a price (not just a phrase saying they’ll do the roof for whatever the insurance company pays).
• Don’t sign a contract that does not contain the following written items per Colorado Revised Statute 6-22-103.  A written & signed contract between the property owner and the roofing contractor must include at least the following:
  • scope of work & materials to be provided;
  • cost for same based on damages known at the time the contract is entered into;
  • approximate dates of service;
  • roofing contractor’s contact information;
  • identification of contractor’s surety & liability coverage insurer & their contact information;
  • contractor’s policy regarding cancellation of contract & refund of any deposit including a rescission clause allowing the property owner to rescind the contract for roofing services and obtain a full refund of any deposit within 72 hours after entering the contract;
  • a statement that if the property owner plans to pay for the roofing services through an insurance claim, the contractor cannot pay, waive or rebate the homeowner’s insurance deductible in part or in whole;
  • a statement that the contractor shall hold in trust any payment from the property owner until the contractor has delivered roofing materials to the jobsite or has performed a majority of the roofing work on the property;
  • a statement that the property owner may rescind a contract for services, the payment for which will be made from the proceeds of a property insurance claim, within 72 hours after receiving notice from their insurer that the claim is denied in whole or in part.
• Look for and be aware of contracts with interest penalties, attorney costs and lien waivers.  Be sure you understand what you are signing..
• Don’t rush into a re-roofing contract until you’ve had a chance to check out your potential contractor.
• Ask to see the sales person’s driver’s license and write down the license number and license plate number.
• 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.
• Don’t pay for work or materials in advance. Roofers who take down payments and never satisfactorily complete the job is the most common BBB complaint about roofers. 6-22-103.(2), C.R.S states if the contractor does accept/require a deposit they must by law hold it in a separate trust account until they have provided the materials to the jobsite or completed a majority of the work.
• 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 and the contractor is endorsed for roofing work.  Be suspicious of those that are not 100% transparent about their level of protection. It’s important to always ask for verification from the company’s insurance provider. It’s not good enough to see a printed document as this can be easily altered. Any reputable roofing contractor should be willing to have their insurance agent send documents to you directly, usually via email. Workers Comp coverage can be verified at https://www.ewccv.com/cvs.
• Ask your friends and neighbors about contractors they have used. The best referral is a satisfied customer.
• Be sure to use a contractor who offers a workmanship and material warranty. Get all warranties in writing.
• Avoid hiring a storm chasing roofer. They may not be around to honor warranties.
• Call several CRA Contractors for estimates. Make sure they include cost, type of material and payment terms. Do not make any verbal agreements.
• Contact your Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints on file against the contractor.
• Run a search with the Colorado Secretary of State to make sure the contractor's company has been in business as long as they claim.  If the contractor claims to have 20 years of experience but has started and closed several companies over that time, he/they might be using legal tactics to avoid paying bills and/or subcontractors and to avoid responsibilities to customers.
• Ask the contractor for a copy of his license and make sure a permit is pulled before work begins. You may want to verify this information with your city or county and see if there are any complaints on file.

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.

• Make sure the contractor is familiar with and follows the manufacturer’s printed instructions. Incorrect installation may void the manufacturer’s warranty.
• Choose a company committed to the safety of its workers — one that protects them from falls and is in compliance with current federal OSHA guidelines. Both residential and commercial roofing contractors are required to use fall protection. (Also, please be aware that many municipalities will require that contractors leave a ladder set for city/county inspectors. Left unattended these ladders propose a safety risk. Additional Information on ladders.)
• 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.
• Asphalt Shingles are not a recyclable material in Colorado.  September, 2015 – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment adopted a policy that asphalt roofing shingles are no longer considered a recyclable material in Colorado. This policy was adopted as a result of numerous sites posing as asphalt shingle facilities, accepting multiple thousands of tons of roofing shingles and then abandoning the shingles. Industry research and recycling facility data evaluation has shown that there is little or no demand for recycled shingles. So, avoid any company claiming that they can recycle shingles as it is not permitted. Be vigilant and make sure you and the contractor you select avoid any new dump sites that claim to recycle shingles.
• If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, contact the Colorado Attorney General’s office. Their “Take 5 to Get Wise” and STOP Fraud Colorado campaign is aimed at fighting fraud throughout Colorado.

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

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