After a hailstorm, roofing contractors come out in force—some are excellent, some are opportunistic. The difference between a solid job and a nightmare usually comes down to how you vet them. Here’s a practical, no-BS way to select a qualified contractor. 

1. Verify they’re actually legit (not storm chasers) 

Start with the basics: 

• Local presence: Look for a physical office in your area (not just a P.O. box or out-of-state plates).  
• License & registration: In Colorado, roofing licenses are often municipality-based (e.g., Denver requires licensing).  
• Insurance (non-negotiable): 
  • General liability 
  • Workers’ comp 
    Ask for certificates and call the insurer to verify.  

👉 If they can’t immediately provide this, move on.

2. Check reputation beyond Google reviews 

Don’t get fooled by a 5.0 rating with 20 reviews. 

Look for: 

• 100+ reviews with consistency 
• Presence on:  
  • Better Business Bureau
  • Google Reviews 
  • Yelp 

• Ask for 3 recent local references (within 5–10 miles of you)  

Then actually call at least one. 

3. Make sure they specialize in insurance work 

After hail, this matters more than anything. 

A good contractor should: 

• Meet your adjuster on-site  
• Understand supplements (missed items in the claim)  
• Work with Xactimate pricing (industry standard)  
• If they say “we don’t deal with insurance”—that’s a red flag in storm work. 

4. Get a detailed scope of work (not just a price) 

A real proposal should include: 

• Tear-off vs overlay (should almost always be full tear-off after hail)  
• Underlayment type (synthetic vs felt)  
• Ice & water shield locations  
• Flashing replacement (critical)  
• Ventilation adjustments  
• Shingle brand + model  
• If it’s just “replace roof – $X,” you’re setting yourself up for change orders. 

5. Watch out for these red flags 

These are very common after storms: 

• “We’ll waive your deductible” → insurance fraud 
• High-pressure “sign today” tactics  
• Large upfront deposits (over ~30% is questionable)  
• No written contract  
• Door knockers with out-of-state plates  

6. Understand warranties (this is where pros stand out) 

There are two main warranties: 

• Manufacturer warranty (materials)  
• Workmanship warranty (contractor)  
• Better contractors often offer: 
• 5–10 year workmanship warranty (minimum)  
• Certification with brands like:  
• GAF 
• Owens Corning 
• CertainTeed 

7. Don’t automatically go with the cheapest (or the first) 

After hailstorms: 

• Insurance usually covers most of the cost  
• The “cheapest bid” often means:  
  • Skipping components  
  • Poor labor crews  
  • Future leaks  

Focus on scope + professionalism, not just price. 

8. Have them walk the roof with you (or show proof) 

A good contractor should: 

• Show photos/videos of damage  
• Explain why items are being replaced  
• Not exaggerate damage just to “win” the job  

9. Timing matters in Colorado 

In places like the Denver metro: 

• Good contractors get booked fast after storms  
• But rushing into a bad contract is worse than waiting 2–3 weeks  

10. Bonus: contractor vetting shortcut 

If you want a quick filter, ask this: 

“What happens if insurance misses something in the claim?” 

A strong answer: 

• “We submit a supplement with documentation and meet the adjuster if needed.”  

A weak answer: 

• “You’ll have to pay out of pocket.”