Roofing, Siding or Window Damage?

NOTICE:  Numerous “contractors” were spotted in the area taking pictures of houses…. Beware of unscrupulous contractors!

Due to the recent weather, you may have roof, siding or window damage.  Beware of contractors that “claim” to be working on your behalf with your insurance company to fix or replace roofing, siding or windows.

Colorado recently passed a new law that makes it illegal for contractors to have homeowner sign “blank” or incomplete contracts.  And the contract must follow Colorado Law! (take a look at page 4, line 16 of the law).  Yes, you do have 3 days to cancel the contract!  Read the law… Consult an attorney if you have questions.

According to Tom Martino, you should do the following before signing any contract or contacting your insurance company:

1. Don’t Be Rushed to Sign a Contract!  Secure your property from further damage then take a few days to gather your thoughts and take time to make a plan for the repairs! Take lots of pictures of the damage prior to cleanup or start of any repairs.  Pressure to sign a contract is a sign that the contractor isn’t looking out for your best interests!
2. NEVER SIGN a contract with any contractor until you have 2 or 3 bids from licensed AND insured contractors (including workers compensation insurance-if they get hurt, you could be liable)!!!  You DO NOT need to sign a contract to do an “inspection”, but you should have them sign a LIABILITY RELEASE incase they fall off your roof!  (Here is a sample liability release).
3. Check references and BBB rating AND talk to 2 or 3 prior customers and examine their work. Also, call the City of Fort Collins to see if they are licensed and if they have done any work here!
4. Never sign a blank contract for work billed to your insurance company!!!  They may only do the minimum required to get paid and may leave you with a bad job!
5. Roof Permits (and city inspections) are required by the City of Fort Collins!!!
6. HOA Architectural Committee approval is REQUIRED before any work is started!  Call Dani at Faith Property for the form or download on this site; she can also expedite the approval if necessary!  You should get a high-wind shingle with a long warranty period.  3-tab shingles are less expensive and may be outdated; “architectural” shingles are more common today.
7. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give any money to start the job!  Tom suggests you stick to a payment plan (for example: 1/3 upon material delivery, 1/3 when work is over half done, 1/3 when signed off by city and your insurance company).
8. Find out what the warranty is before any work is started.  Does the warranty cover repair, replacement and LABOR?  Who do you call if the product fails in 3 years?
9. Don’t contact your insurance company until you have 2 or 3 bids that confirm damage to your property.  If you call your insurance company and the claim is denied or less than your deductible, you may still get “a hit” against your property insurance policy (CLUE report), which may result in higher insurance rates or even cancellation!
10. Remember, protect life, limb and property.  Call 911 if you feel that your life is in danger.

Here are several Fort Collins roofing companies that will be here when your roof starts to leak next winter and you can’t get ahold of the “contractor” that worked on your roof:
(This is not an endorsement of any of these companies. Your HOA Board is suggesting you get estimates from at least a couple of these companies and others)