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.”
