Homeowner Resource
Selecting a Roofing Contractor
Many contractors claim expertise in everything your home might need. Few have the background to support it. We hope you choose us, but more than that we want you to be able to make a genuinely informed decision.
- Vetting checklist
- Red flags to avoid
- Questions to ask
Certified, Accredited, And Reviewed
Why This Decision Matters More Than The Price
A roof is not a product you buy, it is a system somebody installs. Two crews can put the same shingle on the same house and produce roofs that last twelve years and twenty-five years respectively. The difference is nail placement, flashing detail, ventilation balance, and whether the deck was actually inspected during tear-off.
None of that is visible once the job is finished. You are buying the contractor's judgment and standards far more than you are buying materials, which is why vetting the company matters more than comparing bottom-line numbers.
Colorado adds a second reason. Hail storms bring waves of out-of-state crews who work a season and disappear. When your workmanship warranty is with a company that no longer exists, the warranty was never worth anything.
Key Criteria For Choosing A Contractor
These recommendations are drawn from the criteria highlighted by national roofing organizations.
Make Sure They Are Legitimate
Check for a permanent place of business, a telephone number, a tax ID number, and a state or local business license indicating where they are permitted to perform roofing work.
Lower Is Not Always Better
Do not hire the low bidder on cost alone. Your roof must last at least 15 to 20 years and needs to be installed by a contractor committed to quality materials and quality workmanship.
Make Sure It Is All Covered
Ask to see liability insurance and workers' compensation, and verify both are valid for the timeframe your work will be performed. Read and understand the warranty your contractor provides.
Get It In Writing
Expect a written proposal that clearly states the work to be done, the materials to be used, approximate start and finish dates, and payment amounts and procedures.
Get A Point Of Contact
Ask how the work will be supervised and how you can reach the contractor and crew if questions arise. Know the name of the supervisor overseeing your project.
Check Their Background
Look for a solid reputation for quality roofing services. Check references carefully and consider visiting completed job sites to see the work and meet other homeowners.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Sign
A confident contractor answers all of these without hesitation. Hesitation is your answer.
- Are your crews employees or subcontractors, and does your insurance cover both?
- Who is on site each day, and will a supervisor be present during tear-off?
- What manufacturer certifications do you hold, and what warranty does that unlock?
- How do you handle decking that turns out to be damaged after tear-off, and at what price per sheet?
- Is new flashing included, or are you reusing the existing metal?
- How is ventilation being addressed, and what intake and exhaust math are you using?
- What is your workmanship warranty term, and is it transferable if I sell?
- What is the payment schedule, and what is due before work begins?
- How do you protect landscaping, and what does cleanup include?
- Can I see three references from jobs completed in this area within the last year?
Red Flags After A Storm
Hail season brings both legitimate demand and opportunists. These signals separate them.
Pressure To Sign Immediately
Any contract presented as a limited-time offer requiring a signature during the first conversation deserves a no. Legitimate companies give you time to read.
Large Upfront Payment
Requests for a substantial percentage of the total before materials are delivered are a common pattern in storm-chasing operations.
No Local Address
A phone number and a magnetic truck sign are not a place of business. Verify a permanent local address you could actually visit.
Offers To Cover Your Deductible
This is insurance fraud, and it tells you precisely how the company treats rules that are inconvenient for them.
No Written Scope
A one-line price with no materials, quantities, or dates gives you nothing to hold them to and nothing to compare against other bids.
Reluctance To Show Insurance
If a crew is injured on your property and the contractor lacks workers' compensation, that exposure can land on your homeowner's policy.
How To Compare Bids Fairly
Line the proposals up side by side and compare scope before price. Confirm each one states the same number of squares, the same tear-off approach, the same underlayment product, the same ice and water shield coverage, and new flashing rather than reused metal.
Then look at what is missing. A bid that omits drip edge, starter strip, ridge ventilation, or deck replacement pricing is not cheaper, it is incomplete. Those items will appear later as change orders or, worse, will simply not be installed.
Finally, weigh the warranty. A manufacturer's material warranty and a contractor's workmanship warranty are different things, and the second one is only as durable as the company standing behind it. That brings the decision back to the first criterion on the list: is this a legitimate, permanent local business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Put Us Through The Same Checklist
Ask for our license, insurance, certifications, and local references. Then get a free inspection and a written scope you can compare against anyone.