After a hail storm or a hard winter, the calls come fast. Every roofing contractor in the region, and some from out of state who chase storm work, is suddenly available and eager to give you a quote. Figuring out who is legitimate is harder than it should be.
We have been doing roofing in the Roaring Fork Valley and Western Slope for 57 years. Here is what we would tell a neighbor who is trying to sort through their options.
Questions That Separate Good Contractors from the Rest
Are you licensed and insured in Colorado?
Colorado does not require a statewide roofing license, but local jurisdictions often do. More importantly, ask for their insurance certificates for general liability and workers compensation. Call the insurance company to verify coverage is current. An uninsured contractor working on your roof means you are liable if someone gets hurt.
Do you pull permits?
Roofing replacements require a permit in most Colorado jurisdictions. A contractor who tells you permits are not necessary is either wrong about local requirements or trying to avoid inspection. Permitted work protects your investment. It is documented when you sell the home and an inspector confirms the work meets code.
How long have you been working in this area?
Out-of-state storm chasers move from market to market following hail events. When something goes wrong two years from now, a flashing failure or a warranty claim, they are not here. A contractor with a local base and a local reputation has real skin in the game. In the Roaring Fork Valley, word travels fast.
Do you subcontract your installation crews?
Nothing wrong with subcontractors in principle, but ask who is managing quality on the job. If the person who sold you the job is not connected to the crew doing the work, that is a gap worth understanding. Ask to meet the crew foreman before signing.
Can you show me local references from the past two years?
References from other markets do not mean much here. A contractor who has done significant work in Carbondale, Basalt, or Glenwood Springs in the last 24 months should be able to produce names. If they cannot, ask why.
Red Flags to Watch For
- They offer to waive your deductible. This is insurance fraud and it is illegal in Colorado.
- They pressure you to sign before you have gotten multiple bids. Legitimate contractors give you time to decide.
- They quote over the phone without seeing the roof. A real scope requires a real inspection.
- They cannot produce a physical local business address.
- They ask for full payment upfront. A reasonable deposit is standard. Full prepayment before work starts is not.
What to Look For in the Bid
A serious roofing bid specifies material manufacturer and product line, underlayment type, ventilation approach, flashing material and detail, warranty terms for both manufacturer and workmanship, and timeline. Bids that only list a lump sum with no scope detail are not bids. You cannot compare them meaningfully against each other.
Why Local Experience Matters More at Elevation
Roofing at 7,000 feet is different from roofing in Denver. Snow loads, wind patterns, thermal cycling, UV intensity, and moisture dynamics are all different. A contractor who has spent their career in the valley understands how to spec for these conditions. PSM has been doing this work here since 1968. If you are evaluating contractors and want a second opinion, we are always willing to look.
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