Service Archives

Red Flags in Roofing in Colorado

April 18, 2024July 10, 2023 by Excel Roofing

Red Flags in Roofing in Colorado

When it comes to roofing projects, finding a reliable and trustworthy contractor is essential. Unfortunately, the roofing industry has its share of unscrupulous individuals who prioritize their own interests over those of their clients. In Colorado – say Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Colorado Springs, or Denver – homeowners must be aware of red flag contractors. This blog post aims to shed light on these warning signs to help homeowners make informed decisions and avoid falling victim to untrustworthy contractors.

1. High-Pressure Tactics

One of the most common red flags in the roofing industry is the use of high-pressure sales tactics. Dishonest contractors may employ aggressive and relentless methods to push homeowners into signing contracts without fully understanding the terms and conditions. They often create a sense of urgency, claiming limited availability or time-sensitive discounts to manipulate homeowners into making hasty decisions. Reputable contractors prioritize open communication and encourage homeowners to take their time, ask questions, and review multiple estimates before committing to any roofing project.

2. Demanding to Sign a Contract

Another red flag to watch out for is contractors who insist on immediate contract signing. Legitimate roofing professionals understand the importance of allowing homeowners to thoroughly review and understand the terms of the agreement. By pressuring homeowners to sign on the spot, untrustworthy contractors aim to bypass the necessary scrutiny of the contract and potentially include unfair clauses or hidden fees. Homeowners should always take the time to carefully read the contract, seeking clarification on any unclear or suspicious clauses before signing.

3. Cancellation Fees

Unethical roofing contractors often include cancellation fees in their contracts, effectively penalizing homeowners for changing their minds or seeking alternative options. These fees can be exorbitant and are designed to deter homeowners from canceling the contract, even if they have valid reasons to do so. Reputable contractors typically have reasonable cancellation policies or allow for a grace period during which homeowners can freely opt out of the agreement without incurring unnecessary financial burdens.

4. Money Upfront, No Refunds

Demanding substantial upfront payments with little or no refund policy is a clear red flag in the roofing industry. Untrustworthy contractors often require homeowners to pay a significant portion or even the full amount before any work is done. Once they receive the money, they may either disappear, leaving the project unfinished, or provide subpar workmanship. Legitimate contractors typically request a reasonable deposit to cover initial costs, with the balance paid upon completion and homeowner satisfaction.

5. Salesmen Paid Before Work Completion

Unethical roofing contractors may compensate their salesmen based on the number of signed contracts, encouraging them to prioritize closing deals over ensuring customer satisfaction. This can result in rushed projects, poor communication, and inadequate attention to detail. Homeowners should inquire about the payment structure within the contractor’s company, ensuring that the contractor values quality workmanship and customer satisfaction above all else.

To avoid any red flags, do your research on the roofing contractors before picking. Excel Roofing allows homeowners to take as much time as they need and ask as many questions as they may have before signing an agreement. Excel has 0 cancellation fees. If homeowners choose to go with a different company, Excel Roofing will tear up the agreement and throw it away. Excel does not collect any money upfront. We collect the checks after the job is done and the customer is satisfied! Remember, investing in a reliable and trustworthy contractor is the key to a successful roofing project that will protect your home for years to come.

Reference:

https://www.owenscorning.com/en-us/roofing/blog/roofers

What You Should Do If Your House Gets Hit with Hail

July 7, 2023June 12, 2023 by Excel Roofing

Hail season in Colorado is here. It starts in late April and goes on until September or sometimes October. Hail can be damaging to your roof and other parts of the exterior of your home. Normally if the hail stones that fall are .5” or larger this is when you can expect your property to take a beating. In this blog post, we will discuss the necessary steps you should take if your house gets hit with hail, including when to file an insurance claim, how to identify hail damage, choosing the right contractor, mitigating leaks, and the benefits of impact-resistant shingles.

When to file an insurance claim:

After a hailstorm, it is crucial to assess the damage to your property before you contact your insurance company. Most people don’t love being on the roof, if this is you call Excel Roofing to have an expert assess the damage. One of our Project Managers will take a look at the possible damage and give you an honest assessment on if you have enough damage to file an insurance claim. Insurance policies have specific time limits for filing claims after a hail event, so it is essential to act promptly to ensure coverage.

How to tell if your roof has been damaged by hail:

Determining if your roof has sustained hail damage requires a thorough inspection done by someone with trained eyes. Some signs to look for include:

Bruised shingles
Dents or divots in shingles
Missing granules in circular form
Cracked or split shingles

Choosing the correct contractor:

Use a local contractor with an established track record. A company’s track record is the best indicator of how they are going to perform.

Make sure you get a written bid specifying the materials and costs of the job. This should include all your expectations of the work to be performed.

Read the fine print and do not sign a contract with a cancellation fee. The only reason a cancellation fee is included is to hold you hostage in case you want out of the deal.

Your contactor needs to have liability and workman’s comp insurance. This will protect you if they damage your property or if one of the workers gets hurt.

Make sure your contractor pulls a building permit and has the work inspected.

Most importantly, never pay a contractor any money until the job is finished. Don’t pay for material up front. If things go wrong with the job, you will have all the money to pay someone to fix it. This is the best protection a consumer can have.

If you end up signing a bad contract and want to get out of it. Read our “How to Get Out of a Bad Contract” blog for more information. https://www.excelroofing.com/how-to-get-out-of-a-bad-contract/

Best way to mitigate an active leak:

If your roof develops a leak after a hailstorm, taking immediate action is crucial to minimize further damage.

Place a bucket under the leak to collect the water and help prevent it from damaging your interior.
If you see a bubble in your drywall, poke it with a pencil to drain the water out to prevent it from collapsing.
Contact a professional roofing contractor to assess and repair the damage promptly.

Deductibles are changing, so file a claim now:

Insurance deductibles for hail damage can vary, but it’s worth noting that in recent years many policies have transitioned to a percentage-based deductible, typically around 1% of the insured value of your home. This change means that the deductible amount will increase as the value of your home does. If you’ve been hit by a hailstorm and have significant damage, it is wise to file a claim sooner rather than later to take advantage of the current deductible structure.

Impact Resistant Shingles:

To better protect your home from hail damage in the future, Excel Roofing strongly considers installing impact resistant shingles. These are specially designed shingles that are made to withstand hail impact and are often rated for their resistance to specific sizes of hailstones. Impact resistant shingles can reduce the risk of damage during severe weather events, providing greater peace of mind and lowering your insurance premiums.

Every type of shingle goes through a testing process to receive a rating. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a non-profit independent testing organization that provides the knowledge and expertise to help consumers make informed decisions on the best products.

UL developed a test called the UL 2218 Impact Rating to rate the strength of roofing materials. The test uses steel balls ranging from 1.25 inches to 2 inches in diameter that are dropped from various heights.

To meet the acceptance criteria of UL 2218, the roofing material, back surface, and interior layers must show no evidence or tearing, fracturing, cracking, splitting, rupture, or other evidence of opening of the roof covering layer. Based on how the roofing material performs, it will be classified as Class 1, 2, 3, or 4.

Class 4 is earned if the sample does not crack when hit twice in the same place by a 2-inch diameter steel ball. Products that receive a Class 4 rating are the most resistant to hail damage.

Excel Roofing suggests Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration Storm or Flex. These shingles come in a variety of colors. Duration Storm uses an extra backing called a scrim to achieve its rating, and Duration Flex is made with a blend of SBS polymer modified asphalt. This rubber-like material allows the shingle to be more pliable and flexible, making the shingles hail resistant. Both of these asphalt shingles are Class 4 and qualify for an insurance discount with the provided certificate. Talk to your insurance agent about the discounts they might offer. Excel Roofing always provides the Class 4 Roof Certificate if the roof qualifies.

References:

https://www.owenscorning.com/en-us/roofing/blog/roof-hail-damage

https://www.owenscorning.com/en-us/roofing/shingles/trudefinition-duration-storm

https://www.owenscorning.com/en-us/roofing/shingles/trudefinition-duration-flex

https://www.owenscorning.com/en-us

Excel Roofing’s Downspout Cleanout System

July 17, 2023April 17, 2023 by Excel Roofing

Proper drainage around a home is critical. Water draining too close to a house can cause foundation damage. The worst case is when a basement flood occurs, and as most of us know, this is not covered by most homeowner insurance policies.

The best way to avoid these problems is to have a well-designed drainage system, one that directs water away from the home. Good drainage starts with the landscaping around your house, the grade, or slope should always drain the water away from the home. Next are downspout tip-outs that extend a least 4 feet away from the home, or underground drains that carry the water away from the foundation.

The most frequent problem Excel runs into are gutters, downspouts, and underground drains that are clogged with debris. The next biggest problem we find with gutters is that the entire system is incorrectly designed. For instance, a downspout without an extension pipe, or downspout draining too close to a basement window well.

After working with thousands of homeowners Excel has developed best practices for gutters. Excel does not believe in proprietary gutter cover systems you see on infomercials. As good as the marketing sounds, they just don’t perform as advertised. Excel thinks it’s best to leave the gutters uncovered, but make sure their clean!

We think the best drainage system is oversized outlets, and oversized downspouts. Outlets are the connection point between the downspout and the gutter. An oversized outlet looks like a big funnel. It just makes sense; the biggest outlets and downspouts will allow the most water to drain. This is important because you don’t want the gutters to overflow in heavy downpours. There is another great benefit of big outlets and downspouts, they will allow the maximum amount of leaves and pine needles to flow through the downspout, with the least chance of clogging this pipe. This will help keep the gutter clean. If the water drains to an underground drain, this could be a problem. A clogged underground drain can be a very difficult and expensive problem to solve. Fortunately, Excel has a solution; a collector box installed at ground level will trap all of the debris before it goes underground and make cleaning simple.

What does it cost? An oversized downspout drain system for a 1 story home costs $250 per outlet and for a 2 story they are $350 each. If the downspouts go into underground drains, the collector boxes are a must! They are $75 each. Excel believes our downspout clean-out systems are the best designed roof drainage systems you can find.

If you have any questions give us a call at 303. 761. 6400 and remember keep those gutters clean!

References:

https://www.consumerreports.org/home-maintenance-repairs/fall-chores-you-shouldnt-ignore-a2374095408/

https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/home-safety/keep-your-home-safe-and-secure-a9001089632/

Holiday Lights Safety

March 19, 2024January 3, 2023 by Excel Roofing

It’s that time of year when we all do our best Christmas Vacation impersonation. Excel Roofing cares about your safety when you are hanging holiday lights on your roof and gutters. So here are our 5 safety tips to ensure nothing goes wrong and you make it down in one piece.

Tip #1: Propper ladder safety is very important while installing and removing holiday lights.

Every year around 164,000 people go to the emergency room and 300 people die in the U.S. from falling off ladders, according to the World Health Organization. Make sure to prop your ladder on a flat surface both on the ground and against your house. You can use either an extension ladder or and A frame to install. When using an extension ladder use bungee cords to attach the ladder to the gutters for more stability. The A frame is better because you aren’t having to lean the ladder against the surface you are installing the lights on. It’s always a good idea to have someone holding the ladder below to ensure maximum stability.

Tip #2: Make sure that you are using the correct materials.

You will need the correct lights, clips, ladders, and extensions cords. When picking out your electrical equipment make sure you choose outdoor lights and extension cords. This is essential in climates that get wet and snowy weather conditions. When installing the outdoor lights, use plastic clips if you are placing the lights on your roofline and gutters. The clips are the best option to avoid damaging the paint and finish on the gutters and avoid putting unnecessary penetrations in your roof. The clips for hanging the lights can be found at any hardware store near where the holiday lights are located. You also want to make sure that you have the lights properly connected so that you don’t overload 1 outlet. Typically, it is about 9 strands per outlet. Outdoor outlets are tied to a special circuit, GFI, that will trip the electricity off if it senses any moisture. Most people believe that when their electricity turns off, the solution is to go to the breaker box. However, there are 2 buttons on the outlet in the main floor bathroom that usually turn the electricity back on, even to the outdoor outlets.

Tip #3: If you are installing or removing your holiday lights from your roof, make sure that you use a tie off.

Excel does not recommend you hanging your lights from the roof for a few reasons. First you can damage the shingles and second you are putting yourself at higher risk of a fall. If you do not have the proper harness for a tie off, it is probably best to not be on your roof.

Tip #4: Pick a day with good weather.

Weather in the winter months is usually cold and snowy. Pick a sunny dry day to install or remove your holiday lights. Double check to make sure that the place where your ladder is set on the ground is clear of ice and snow. You do not want your ladder to slip out from underneath you. If you will be installing or removing your lights from the roof, make sure that the roof is clear of ice, so you do not slip off the roof.

Tip #5: Check to make sure your gutters are clear of debris.

When installing your holiday lights, it is important to have clean gutters and downspouts. With full gutters, it will be more challenging to install the clips to the edge. When you have clogged gutters, you also increase your chance of having ice damning and gutter overflow. If you get up on your ladder to install or remove your holiday lights and notice your gutters are filled with leaves, call Excel Roofing. For more information on gutter cleaning check out our other blog post all about gutters here.

It’s Fall – Time to Clean Your Gutters

March 19, 2024October 21, 2021 by Excel Roofing

Cleaning your gutters in the fall is the best time to do this annual home chore. When the trees are clear of leaves, it’s time to make sure your home’s gutters and downspouts are clean. I have a fall chore list that I group together: clean the gutters, blow out the sprinklers, and drain the evaporative cooler on the roof.

Excel Roofing, Denver’s best gutter cleaner, finds that downspouts are clogged more often than the gutters, so it’s important to make sure both the gutters and downspouts are thoroughly cleaned.

Gutter Covers– Excel Roofing has never seen a gutter cover system that works really well, and they do have some issues. First, they are really expensive, costing between $15 to $20 per linear foot! It’s less expensive to pay Excel to clean your gutters than to buy gutter covers. Other problems include causing water to overshoot the gutters in heavy downpours, making icing and icicle problems worse, and the gathering of debris on top of the gutter. Excel does not recommend that you cover your gutters.

Cleaning gutters is crucial because it helps keep water away from the foundation of your home. Our part of the country has expansive soils that when saturated, can cause foundation damage to your home. Basement flooding is another reason to keep water away from your home. Did you know that basement flooding caused by water coming in from the outside is not covered by your regular insurance? If you do not have flood insurance, which most of us do not, then your basement is not covered if the gutters overflow and water leaks into the basement. Excel has seen a number of flooded basements caused by clogged gutters.

Still more problems caused by overflowing and leaking gutters are damage to wood and paint. It’s easy to see where the water flows onto the wood because the paint will peel and the wood will start rotting. If you notice areas on the soffit or fascia board where the paint is peeling, this is a sign that the gutters are probably leaking, and may be clogged. It’s best to clean the gutters and downspouts, and test the gutter with water to identify the reason for the leak. If a gutter connection needs sealant, clean the area and use gutter sealant to fix the problem. Gutter sealant is different than regular silicone and can be found at most hardware and big box stores.

Cleaning gutters and fixing gutter problems is a dangerous job. If you are not comfortable working from a ladder for several hours, hire Excel Roofing to do this for you. Excel Roofing offers simplified pricing for gutter cleaning:

$199 for a one story home

$299 for a two story home

$399 for a three story home.

Don’t ignore your gutters! A clogged gutter system can easily cause thousands of dollars in damage. It’s easy to get wrapped up in other home projects, but make sure those gutters are doing their job.

Attic Ventilation

February 11, 2022January 24, 2020 by Excel Roofing

Attic ventilation is critical to getting the most life out of the roof covering. Attic ventilation also play a large role in keeping the home cool in the summer, and the prevention of condensation and Ice Dam problems in the winter. Attic ventilation is an important part of the roof system. The 3 components of the roof system are Roofing Material, Attic Ventilation, and Attic Insulation. Attic Ventilation is a key component in this system.

Attic ventilation is a simple concept. The fresh, outside air should enter the attic preferably on the lower part of the roof, and then exhaust the hot or moist air near the upper part of the roof. It’s best to have 50 to 60% of the vents low and 40 to 50% of the vents as high as possible.

3 Things You Should Know about Attic Ventilation

1. An improperly vented attic can reach a temperature of up to 160 degrees when the outside air temperature is in the 90s. Proper ventilation can reduce the attic temperature by as much as 60 degrees.

2. An under ventilated attic will “cook” asphalt shingles, and cause them to prematurely fail, this will void manufacturers warranties.

3. A properly ventilated attic will make the house cooler, and cost less to Air Condition.

attic ventilation during winter months — During winter months, proper ventilation prevents moisture from getting trapped in the attic and causing problems.

attic ventilation during summer months — During summer months, proper ventilation cools and reduces the heat penetrating the home, through the attic.

Attic Exhaust Vents

There are many types of vents used to exhaust attic air. The important thing is to not incorrectly mix too many vents of different types. This is often done by overloading the upper roof with vents, and not providing enough air inlets. The term for this is called, “short-circuiting the ventilation”. This can actually cause the attic to become hotter! Click here for more: Fans and Ventilation

Slant Back Roof Vents have closely spaced louver openings allowing for exhaust air.

Solar Powered Attic Fans move a tremendous amount of air and have almost silent operation.

Ridge Vents are a great way to vent all attics and the only way to vent attic cavities on a vaulted ceiling. Ridge vents help prevent snow from blowing into the attic. Ridge Vents are never allowed below a pitch of 4/12!

Wire Powered Attic Fans have a control box that turns the fan on at a set temperature, or if moisture is in the air.

Gable Vents

Gable vents are another way to vent an attic. However, the usually don’t prevent enough ventilation on their own. The best way to get adequate ventilation with gable vents is to install an electric gable vent fan at one end and create an “air tunnel”.

Air Intake Vents

Soffit Vents

Soffit vents are installed into the underside of your home’s eaves (soffit). These vents allow fresh air from outside to be drawn into the attic.

Eave Vents

Eave Vents are the simplest way to vent a home without proper soffit vents. These vents should be installed on both sides of the house and should run the entire length. Eave vents must also be installed above any insulation.

Proper Attic Ventilation

Ensuring your home has proper attic ventilation is an important step in the roof system. At Excel, our roofing professionals are educated on proper ventilation techniques and they care about the comfort of your home just as much as you do. If you plan on getting a new roof, updating or adding to your ventilation is a good plan. If you need a free inspection you should contact an A+ rated BBB company like Excel Roofing.

At Denver’s best roofing company, “You Don’t Pay A Cent Until You’re Content”! If you have any questions, or need an estimate schedule an inspection with the cool roofing experts at Excel Roofing!

Giving Back To The Community

February 11, 2022January 24, 2020 by Excel Roofing

Lewis Brothers Story

Excel Roofing believes in giving back to the community we serve. When the Lewis brothers contacted Tom Martino’s radio show, Tom Martino and his co-host, Marc Mager, recognized that these guys needed help. The home was owned by the Lewis brothers’ mom who had died 4 years earlier. After her death, the brothers did not know how to manage the home and the insurance lapsed. Hail storms caused more damage to the roof which was in such poor condition that water was literally streaming into the home every rainstorm.

In addition to the leak, the brothers knew they needed a new roof because of the door knocking roofers who told them this. When all of the other roofers found out the brothers couldn’t pay, they weren’t interested in helping them. They were at the house and wouldn’t even perform a temporary patch to stop the leak.

At this point Marc Mager contacted Excel Roofing. Excel Roofing visited the home and found a bad leaky roof and two brothers who desperately needed help. Excel contacted ABC Supply Co. and Owens Corning, a shingle manufacturer. Owens Corning agreed to donate shingles, and ABC donated the delivery and the other accessories necessary to complete the roof. Excel Roofing donated the cost of the permit and all of the labor necessary to complete the job.

Because of the partnership of the Tom Martino radio show, ABC Supply Co., Owens Corning, and Excel Roofing, two brothers who desperately needed help now have a good roof over their heads. Giving back to the community is what Excel Roofing does.

3 Steps For Getting Out Of A Bad Roofing Contract

February 11, 2022January 22, 2020 by Excel Roofing

Read More About Dishonest Roofers

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.

YOUR RIGHT OF RESCISSION

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 ISSUE WITH MONEY UP FRONT

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.

3 STEPS TO GET OUT OF A BAD CONTRACT

The consumer should call the roofing company and ask to speak to the owner or manager and nicely tell them they have changed their minds and would like to cancel the deal without paying a cancellation fee. If the company agrees, put it in writing and the homeowner is out of the deal.
If the contractor refuses to cancel the deal, the homeowner should advise the contractor that they are going to hire an independent roof inspector. This inspector will inspect each and every detail of the roofing job. Then advise the contractor that they are going to be looking for perfection. Anything done wrong will be redone, and the contractor will have the independent inspector’s fee taken out of their pay.
Finally, the homeowner should advise the contractor that after a very long and painful process to get every single detail right, the homeowner will take forever to pay.

SAMPLE LETTER FOR GETTING OUT OF A 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.

DOWNLOAD SAMPLE LETTER

 John Smith
12345 Main Street, Springfield Co 81073  303-123-4567

DATE:	9/30/2020

RE:	Roof Contract Cancellation

Dear Roofing Contractor,

I hereby notify you that I’m cancelling the contract we engaged in.  After further consideration I’ve realized that I do not want you working on my property.

I have also become aware of Colorado SB12-038, the Residential Roofing Consumer Bill of Rights.  According to this Colorado Statute the contract you presented me to sign is in violation of the law and therefore invalid.  Some of the specific items required by law that you failed to put in the contract are:
1.	 The scope of work and material to be used for the new roof
2.	The cost to do the roofing job and approximate dates of when the roof will be installed
3.	Your address, phone number, and insurance company information must be listed on the contract
4.	My right to cancel the contract within 72 hours must be written on the contract
5.	Notice that the contractor cannot pay, waive, or in any other way cover the consumer’s deductible if the roofing job is being paid from an insurance claim
6.	Notice to the consumer that any money paid in advance will be held in a special trust account until the material is purchased
7.	Notice to the consumer that if any part of the insurance claim is rescinded in whole or part by the insurance company that the consumer will have another 72-hour right of rescission to cancel the contract

I will also advise you that if you try to force me to use your services, I’m going to be the pickiest most difficult customer you have ever had.  I will hire an Independent Roof Inspector to inspect the job in progress, and that they will be looking for perfection.  If the Independent Roof inspector finds anything wrong, you will have fix any problems and will have the Fee for the Independent Roof Inspector taken out of your pay.  I will also be in touch with the City Inspector, and make sure they do not pass the roof if anything is found wrong by my Independent Inspector.

Finally, after I make this long painful process for you, I’m going to take forever to pay.

I look forward to your confirmation of the cancellation of this deal.

 John Smith
303-123-4567
1234 Main Street
Springfield, CO  81073

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, 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!

Understanding The Colorado Roofing Laws

February 11, 2022January 17, 2020 by Excel Roofing

How Do Colorado Roofing Laws Affect You?

SENATE BILL 12-038

The Consumer Protection/Residential Roofing Act, Colorado Senate Bill 38 (SB38), was signed into law on June 6th, 2012. For many years, the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA) has tried to get Colorado legislature to pass state licensing for all roofers.

State licensing was believed to protect consumers during large hail storms.

There was fierce opposition to state licensing, mainly from home builder associations, who feared that this would cause the cost of roofing to increase dramatically.

Fortunately, the Colorado Senate was able to pass a different type of legislation which specifically addressed the problems of residential roofing during hail storms that the home builder associations did not oppose.

To date, we do not know if anyone has ever been prosecuted for violating these laws.

However, the practical reality is that the consumer rights granted by this legislation can help customers in a number of ways; for example, if a consumer is in a bad contract or has had a roofing job done and needs to sue the contractor because of bad work.

ITEMS THAT ARE REQUIRED BY THE COLORADO ROOFING LAWS TO BE LISTED ON THE ROOFING CONTRACT ARE AS FOLLOWS:

The scope of work and material to be used for the new roof
The cost to do the roofing job and approximate dates of when the roof will be installed
The roofing contractor’s address, phone number, and insurance company information
The consumer’s right to cancel the contract within 72 hours and what the contractor’s cancellation fee will be if the contract is cancelled after the 72-hour right of rescission
Notice that the contractor cannot pay, waive, or in any other way cover the consumer’s deductible if the roofing job is being paid from an insurance claim
Notice to the consumer that any money paid in advance will be held in a special trust account until the material is purchased
Notice to the consumer that if any part of the insurance claim is rescinded in whole or part that the consumer will have another 72-hour right of rescission to cancel the contract

The Colorado Roofing Law:

Prohibits a roofing contractor from paying, waiving or rebating an insurance deductible for a property owner.

Requires a contractor to return any payment or deposit made by the
property owner in conjunction with the contract for roofing work within 10
days after rescission of a contract.

States that if a roofing contractor promises to pay, waive or rebate a
homeowner’s deductible, the insurance carrier for the property owner is not
obligated to consider the estimate of costs for the roofing work prepared by
that contractor.

THE ISSUE WITH MONEY UP FRONT

Usually the problem is that the consumer has paid the contractor money up front. There is a provision in SB38 that addresses this, which states that if a consumer has paid money up front and they cancel the contract, the contractor is obligated to refund the money within 10 days. However, trying to get a contractor to refund money can be extremely difficult. The reality is that the consumer will have more luck canceling a contract if they have not paid any money up front.

72-HOUR RIGHT OF RESCISSION

One especially helpful provision of SB38 that can be extremely useful to consumers canceling a contract is that if an insurance company revises the settlement, it restarts the 72-hour right of rescission. This means that if the consumer is able to get his insurance company to revise the insurance settlement downward by any amount of money, it gives the consumer the right to cancel the roofing contract.

CONSUMERS CAN MINIMIZE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS THEY MAY HAVE WITH A CONTRACTOR BY FOLLOWING THESE THREE EASY STEPS:

Make sure that the type of roof and the total cost is clearly stated on the contract.
Never sign a contract that has any type of cancellation fee.
Never pay any money until the job is complete and you are happy.

Spring Cleaning Lists Should Always Include Your Gutters

December 8, 2023January 14, 2020 by Excel Roofing

Gutter Inspection

A gutter inspection should be a part of everyone’s spring chores as a clogged gutter will only cause problems if left unattended. So get out and inspect and clean those gutters before the April showers bring May flowers.

Unless the debris is piled high in the gutter, most gutter clogs won’t be visible from the ground. You may see the effects of a gutter clog after it damages your home.

Gutter Clogs

Often times a clogged gutter will cause the water to seep over the back of the gutter and into the fascia board. If you see signs of moisture behind the gutter this is an indication of a clogged gutter. Water can damage the fascia, soffit, the siding and even leak into your home and damage the drywall.

This damage happens slowly and can cause thousands of dollars in damage before you know it.

A basement that has been flooded due to clogged and overflowing gutters is a disaster! To make matters worse this disaster is not covered by insurance.

Overflowing water can also collect around the home’s foundation. Water against the foundation of a home can cause the soil to expand and contract breaking the foundation of your home. Moisture in your basement can lead to problems with mold.

Clogged gutters and downspouts tend to be the primary cause of these problems.

During a rain shower the water in a clogged gutter will overflow. This can lead to problems such as washed-out landscaping and cracked pavement. Ideally, the water will flow down the downspout and drain away from your home through a tipout.

The tipout is the extension on the end of a downspout and should move the water at least four feet away from the home’s foundation. Splash blocks can also be used to divert the water away from your home.

Either method works, just make sure the water is not running back towards your home.

Gutter Cleaning

Cleaning gutters is a dangerous job.

If you are not comfortable working off of a ladder for several hours, hire a professional. Excel Roofing offers a gutter cleaning service.

Our standard rate is $299 for a one story home, $399 for a two story home and $499 for a three story home.

Above all, don’t ignore your gutters! A clogged gutter system can easily cause thousands of dollars in damage. It’s easy to get wrapped up in other springtime projects, but make sure those gutters are doing their job.

Red Flags in Roofing in Colorado

1. High-Pressure Tactics

2. Demanding to Sign a Contract

3. Cancellation Fees

4. Money Upfront, No Refunds

5. Salesmen Paid Before Work Completion

Reference:

When to file an insurance claim:

How to tell if your roof has been damaged by hail:

Choosing the correct contractor:

Best way to mitigate an active leak:

Deductibles are changing, so file a claim now:

Impact Resistant Shingles:

References:

If you have any questions give us a call at 303. 761. 6400 and remember keep those gutters clean!

References:

Tip #1: Propper ladder safety is very important while installing and removing holiday lights.

Tip #2: Make sure that you are using the correct materials.

Tip #3: If you are installing or removing your holiday lights from your roof, make sure that you use a tie off.

Tip #4: Pick a day with good weather.

Tip #5: Check to make sure your gutters are clear of debris.

3 Things You Should Know about Attic Ventilation

Attic Exhaust Vents

Gable Vents

Air Intake Vents

Soffit Vents

Eave Vents

Proper Attic Ventilation

Lewis Brothers Story

YOUR RIGHT OF RESCISSION

THE ISSUE WITH MONEY UP FRONT

3 STEPS TO GET OUT OF A BAD CONTRACT

SAMPLE LETTER FOR GETTING OUT OF A BAD CONTRACT

How Do Colorado Roofing Laws Affect You?

ITEMS THAT ARE REQUIRED BY THE COLORADO ROOFING LAWS TO BE LISTED ON THE ROOFING CONTRACT ARE AS FOLLOWS:

The Colorado Roofing Law:

THE ISSUE WITH MONEY UP FRONT

72-HOUR RIGHT OF RESCISSION

CONSUMERS CAN MINIMIZE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS THEY MAY HAVE WITH A CONTRACTOR BY FOLLOWING THESE THREE EASY STEPS:

Gutter Inspection

Gutter Clogs

Gutter Cleaning

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