I (J. Bretz) founded Excel Roofing in 1993, and since then we've served more than 55,000 customers across Colorado. Past history is the best indicator of future performance, and after 30 plus years and that many roofs, I've noticed that homeowners tend to ask the same questions over and over. I want to answer the most common ones here, all in one place, so you know exactly what to expect when you start a roofing project.
Before I get to the questions, one thing worth saying up front. Excel Roofing is family owned. Henry, our vice president, and I still meet with customers personally, and we have no plans to sell to private equity. Roughly 40 percent of our competitors have already done that. Our priority will always be the homeowner, not an investor's quarterly return. If you ever want to speak with an owner or have one of us come to your home, we are always available.
Here are the questions we hear most often.
1. What makes Excel different from other roofing companies?
A few things set us apart, and most of them come down to how we treat your money and your home.
You don't pay a cent until you're content
Almost every roofer in this state will ask for money up front. Paying a contractor up front is one of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make on any home improvement project. It's just asking for a problem. The only exception at Excel is when a job requires special order materials, and even then we keep the deposit minimal.
We don't charge cancellation fees
Read the fine print on almost any roofing contract and you'll find a 15 to 20 percent cancellation fee tucked away. That fee exists to hold you hostage if you change your mind. We don't do that.
Almost every Excel Roofing job site has a portable bathroom
We place a small trailer with a porta potty on every roof we install so the crew has a real bathroom on site. I don't know of another roofing company in Colorado that does this. It's a basic courtesy to both you as the homeowner and to the workers.
2. How long does it take to replace a roof?
Most asphalt shingle roofs take one to two days from start to finish. Larger homes or specialty materials, including concrete tile, stone coated steel, and synthetic plastic, take a bit longer because of the weight, the cuts, and the careful detail work involved.
You do not need to be home while the work happens. Quite a few of our customers plan to be out of town during the install. The process is loud, and it can be very stressful for pets. If you have animals, this is a good time to consider doggie daycare or a stay with family for a day or two.
3. Why is a new roof so much more expensive than the last one I bought?
Material costs have been climbing 5 to 10 percent per year for the last decade. A roof we installed ten years ago for $10,000 can easily cost $20,000 today. Manufacturers have raised prices on shingles, underlayment, vents, and accessories every year, and labor costs have moved up alongside that. None of it is unique to one company. It's just where the industry is.
4. How much does a new roof cost in Colorado?
Here are honest ranges based on what we install most often.
An average asphalt shingle roof from Excel runs $12,000 to $20,000. The exact number depends on the size of your home, the pitch, and the shingle line you choose. Call $15,000 a fair planning number for a typical Colorado house.
Premium materials cost more because they last longer and stand up to hail. A concrete or clay tile roof runs around $45,000. A stone coated steel roof runs around $50,000. A synthetic plastic roof, like a composite slate or shake, runs around $60,000. Our Euro Shield recycled rubber roofs are currently in the $80,000 range.
Those higher end systems sound expensive, and they are. But because they can take direct hail strikes without damage, many homeowners offset the cost by raising their wind and hail deductible, which lowers their annual insurance premium. Over a long time horizon, the math often works out.
5. What is the difference between asphalt shingles?
Like everything in life, some asphalt shingles are simply built better than others, and some manufacturers honor their warranties far better than others. Both of those things matter, and they don't always show up on the brochure.
When you meet with your Excel project manager, ask which shingle lines we recommend and which ones we steer customers away from. We'll be straight with you. There are also videos on our site walking through specific brands and product tiers if you want to do your own research first.
6. Why can't Excel Roofing cover my insurance deductible?
The short answer is that it's illegal. In order to "cover" your deductible, a roofing company would need to send the insurance company a fake invoice that inflates the price by the amount of the deductible. That is insurance fraud, and we will not do it.
What I can promise is that every interaction you have with Excel will be honest. Either you're an honest company or you're not. You can depend on Excel Roofing to be honest with you.
7. Are your roofers Excel Roofing employees?
Our roofing, gutter, window, and siding crews are subcontractors, and that's the standard arrangement across the industry. Each crew is a bona fide corporation. Every one carries workers' compensation insurance and liability insurance, and Excel Roofing is ultimately responsible for the quality of all work performed on your home. If something is not right, you call us.
8. Why do I need to meet with someone from Excel Roofing to get an estimate?
A lot of contractors push for an in home meeting because it's the easiest place to apply pressure and get a signature. That is not how we operate.
We do prefer to meet, because it's the best way to look at your specific roof, answer questions in detail, and make sure expectations are clear on both sides. But we know not everyone has time for a sit down meeting, and not everyone wants one. If that's you, we'll send a digital estimate and ask for a short video call to walk you through the proposal and answer questions. Because we don't charge cancellation fees, you can step away at any point if it doesn't feel right.
Ready to start your project?
Call our office at (303) 761-6400 or request an estimate at excelroofing.com. Either Henry or I are available to meet personally if you'd like to talk to an owner directly. After 55,000 roofs, we still believe past history is the best indicator of future performance, and we would appreciate the chance to earn your business.
Excel Roofing, We're on top of it!
