The orange-sized hailstones that banged up the northeast metro suburbs last month have roofing contractors out in force — and consumers worried about them.
Few home-repair jobs are as unfamiliar to homeowners as a roof-shingle replacement, and, as a result, many are left to wonder whether they’ve hired the right company or whether the job was even necessary.
“Hail is little more than blood in the water, and the sharks come in, feed as much as they can, then leave town,” said Kirk Tiley, owner of Tiley Roofing in Denver and president of the Colorado Roofing Association. “Fly-by-night operations gather up lots of work, prey upon the elderly or those not knowledgeable about their roof.”
That’s pretty much everyone.
Hail damage is easy to spot, experts say, and, depending on the size of the hailstones that fell, many homeowners can see for themselves whether shingles might need replacing.
“Pea-sized hail probably won’t do much damage unless it was torrential,” Tiley said. “Usually, it’s not enough for an insurance claim. But a 3/4-inch stone, with wind, is usually a pretty good indicator of damage.”
The first thing you see is pocking, divots in the asphalt part of the shingle. For atypical roof coverings such as tile or stone, the usual indicators of a problem are cracks and chips.
Allstate Insurance was one of the insurers out assessing damage after the May 26 hailstorm. Its advice: Take your time in choosing a contractor.
“First, don’t trust anyone that’s knocking on your door. That’s pretty much a giveaway,” Tiley said. “Nine of 10 that knock are the proverbial ‘storm chasers’ that give the roofing industry a black eye.”
Trade groups such as the Colorado Roofing Association — — offer contractor connections, as do local Better Business Bureaus. Homeowners also can check with their municipal building department for the names of trusted roofers in the community.
“If anyone comes to your door offering to begin work . . . no matter how good of a deal they may offer or the scare tactics they may try,” don’t act in haste, Denver-Boulder BBB president Dale Mingilton said.
Tiley said one of the best safety measures someone looking for a roofer can take is to visit the company’s office.
“If it’s just a storefront and a couple of desks, that’s not a stable operation,” he said. “Even with trucks and equipment, if it’s not well-maintained and organized, that’s an indication of a problem.”
When getting estimates on the cost of the job, be wary of financial promises such as covering your insurance deductible for the job — an illegal kickback in most states. Payments for putting signs in your yard during the job, however, are legal.
Consumers wondering whether their contractor is giving them what they paid for should ask for the material wrappings.
“Most folks won’t know 30-pound felt from 15-pound felt,” Tiley said. “But if you get the wrapping, put it on Google and see what it is.”
Finally, insist on a copy of the municipal inspection when the job is done.
David Migoya: 303-954-1506 or dmigoya@denverpost.com
Roofing-contractor checklist
• Is the company licensed? Businesses must be registered with the secretary of state. Search the business database at to be sure.
• Ask for copies of the company’s bond and insurance certificates.
• Is your homeowner’s policy sufficient? Many policies don’t include costs to meet new code requirements implemented after your home was built.
• Never allow a contractor to do a job without a permit. This ensures the job is properly inspected.
• Never pay up front. A good benchmark is paying half when the materials are delivered, 40 percent when the work is finished and the final 10 percent when the inspector has signed off.
• Never sign over an insurance-settlement check or let them file your claim.
Source: Denver Post research
