The aftermath of a hailstorm doesn’t always end when the clouds break.
Over the years, we have had a lot of experience talking with many homeowners who signed roofing contracts, but quickly regretted their hasty decision.
The reason for the buyer’s remorse is because after further research, the buyer discovers that the company they’re working with now sounds like a bad decision.
The contract with the “bad company” almost always contains a 15% to 20% cancellation fee and requires that the contract be cancelled within 72 hours in order to avoid the fee.
According to Colorado law, any roofing contract signed at a consumer’s home may be cancelled within 72 hours without any cancellation fee. This 72-hour right of rescission is supposed to be listed on every roofing contract; often times it’s not. If the homeowner is within the 72 hours, they should immediately send a cancellation letter and email to the roofing company. They should also contact the company by phone to let them know they’re canceling the contract.
According to Colorado law, there’s a number of other reasons that a consumer can cancel a roofing contract without paying cancellation fees. Click here to read more about the Colorado Roofing Law SB-12-038.
The ability of a homeowner to get out of a contract after the 72-hour right of rescission period, without paying a cancellation fee, is determined by another external factor: whether or not the consumer paid the roofer money up front. If money has been paid up front, the homeowner is most likely stuck in the contract and unfortunately does not have very many options. On the other hand, if no money has been paid up front, we have some good advice about how the homeowner can get out of the bad contract.
Either download the letter as a PDF, or copy and paste the letter into an email. Next, make your personal adjustments. Lastly, send it off to your current contractor.
Normally at this point even a bad contractor will know when to cut his losses, cancel the deal, and move on to easier targets.
Obviously the best way to avoid this difficult situation is to use a reputable contractor that does not play any of these games. If a homeowner uses a company like Excel Roofing in Englewood, Colorado, they will never experience any of these problems.
Excel lets customers out of the deal at any time and never charges cancellation fees. We do ask that the homeowner pay for the permit and any restock fees on materials.
Most importantly, we never ask for any money up front. With Excel Roofing, You Don’t Pay a Cent Until You Are Content!
Can you cancel a roofing contract after signing?
Yes. In Colorado, homeowners have a 72-hour right of rescission that allows them to cancel a roofing contract signed at their home without penalty. After that period, options depend on the contract terms and whether money was paid upfront.
What is the 72-hour right of rescission in roofing contracts?
The 72-hour right of rescission is a Colorado law that allows homeowners to cancel a roofing contract within three days of signing, without paying any cancellation fees, as long as the contract was signed at their residence.
What happens if I already paid a roofing contractor?
If money has been paid upfront, it can be more difficult to cancel a roofing contract. Your ability to get out of the agreement depends on the contract terms and whether the contractor complies with refund requirements under Colorado law.
How can I get out of a bad roofing contract after 72 hours?
If the rescission period has passed and no money was paid, homeowners can try negotiating with the contractor, request cancellation in writing, or create conditions that make the project less desirable for the contractor to continue.
Are cancellation fees in roofing contracts enforceable?
Many roofing contracts include cancellation fees, often between 15% and 20%. However, these fees do not apply if the contract is canceled within the 72-hour rescission period required by Colorado law.
How do I avoid getting stuck in a bad roofing contract?
To avoid bad contracts, never pay money upfront, carefully review contract terms, avoid contractors with cancellation fees, and work with reputable local roofing companies with proven track records.