How to Spot Bad Roofing Companies (Avoid Getting Ripped Off)

Unfortunately there are bad roofing companies in the area.

Our intention is to see that you aren’t one of their next victims.

Here’s a clear example of how a Denver homeowner got scammed and how you can avoid the same nightmare.

Margaret had lived in her Denver home for almost 30 years.

She had brought up her children there, had a garden that flowered every spring, and knew all her neighbors by their names.

One summer evening, after a hailstorm that was quite brutal, she heard a knock on the door.

A man was there, in a polo shirt, with a clipboard and a friendly face. “We’re in the area, looking for replacement roofs,” he said. “It doesn’t look too good for yours.

We can give you a new roof, and it will be insured; it will be without a hassle.”

Margaret paused. She wasn’t sure how much damage her roof had, but the man seemed like a professional — almost nice.

He told her she had to act before the insurance companies became smarter and raised their rates.

He had the contract with him.

She felt pressured, but she didn’t want to miss out.

So, she signed.

That was the beginning of a disaster.

The Red Flags That Margaret Failed to Recognize:

It started well the first time.

The workers appeared, they removed the old shingles and began replacing them.

However, they were sloppy; there were nails and debris all over her yard, and she noticed they did not even cover some parts of the roof before a storm came in.

Then, things got worse. The contractor then required more money from the owner, saying, “unexpected costs.”

The warranty that was to be provided?

It didn’t exist at all.

When her roof started leaking a few months later, she called the company only to discover the number was disconnected.

They were gone. It was a real shame.

She had paid thousands, trusted a company that was completely disappearing, and was left with a roof that would leak and cost her even more to repair.

She’s not alone…

Major hailstorms in Denver result in countless homeowners swindled by unscrupulous roofing contractors who descend on the area, collect the checks, and leave.

But here’s the good news: You don’t have to get taken in by these bad roofing companies.

If you know what to look for, you can tell a fly-by-night roofing contractor before they set foot on your property.

And we are going to share with you…

How to Avoid Getting Scammed by Bad Roofing Companies: Read This First!

You don’t want to be like Margaret and get ripped off.

Here’s how you can tell a bad roofing company before they scam you:

8 Signs of Bad Roofing Companies

After a huge hailstorm in Denver, homeowners are swarmed by roofing crews claiming to provide quick and cheap repair services.

Not all of them are genuine.

Here are the most important signs to look out for:

1. The Storm Chasers

Have you ever had a roofer come up to your door after a hailstorm and offer a free inspection or give you a deal that is too good to be true? That’s a storm chaser—a contractor who flies into town, performs several jobs, and then leaves when the real issues arise.

A homeowner in Aurora also fell for it.

The crew fixed her roof quickly, but the leaks began to show after six months. When she called, the company had already disappeared—no warranty, no help—just the expensive damage caused by water.

✅ How to avoid it: Only work with local companies that have been in business for a while. Verify their physical address and ensure they have been in the area for several years.

2. Without a license, without insurance, no problem (until it is)

A professional roofing company should have a license to practice roofing in Colorado and an insurance cover for you in case of an accident. No exceptions.

A Denver pair found this out the hard way. They decided to use a cheap contractor who was not insured. When a worker fell off the roof of their house, they were taken to court for the medical expenses of the worker.

✅ How to avoid it: Request copies of the license and insurance coverage. Any good company will be happy to provide them without being asked.

3. The High-Pressure Sales Pitch:

Have you ever encountered a roofer who made you feel like you were buying a used car rather than a new roof? You should run if they are trying to make you sign the contract before the ‘limited time offer’ ends.

A Littleton, Colorado, resident felt pressured to sign the contract on the spot. She found out later that the quote they gave her was twice as much as what other companies were charging for the same quality of materials. But since she signed the contract, she was trapped.

✅ How to avoid it: Wait and think. Look for other prices. A customer should never feel forced to sign a document.

4. The Vague, Wishy-Washy Contract:

The worst ploy of a poor contractor is to have a poorly defined contract regarding the materials they use, the cost of the services, or the time it will take to finish the work. They then come to you with extra charges in the middle of the job.

One man in Lakewood thought it would be a ‘simple roof repair’ but ended up paying twice the initial estimate. The reason? “Unforeseen costs.” But he had nothing in writing to protect him.

✅ How to avoid it: It must be in writing, from the materials they use to the labor cost and time frame. If it’s not clear, don’t sign.

5. The Cheapest Quote in Town:

If a bid is much lower than the other bids, it is not a reasonable bid but a sign of disaster. To save money, poor roofers use low-quality materials or unprofessional workers. The Centennial homeowner chose the least expensive quote available to her. Which resulted in a roof that began to leak within the first windstorm. She had to pay once for the poor roof and once for an honest contractor.

✅ How to avoid it: If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Quality work isn’t the cheapest, but it lasts.

6. No Local Reputation (Or a Bad One):

You can tell a good company by the history of the community. A bad one? No trace. Or worse—bad reviews that they try to bury. One Englewood homeowner hired a company with a very professional website but had no client reviews.

We now know that they have changed their business name no less than three times to avoid the negative press.

✅ How to avoid it: Look at Google, Yelp, and BBB reviews. If there are no reviews or all the reviews are glowing and generic, then it’s time to look further.

7. They Ask for a Huge Upfront Payment:

A small deposit is acceptable. A large one isn’t. Watch out if they ask for most or all of the payment before work starts. In Thornton, a homeowner paid 75% down to a company that then ignored her. She lost thousands and had to start again.

✅ How to avoid it: You should never pay more than a small deposit before the work starts. A good contractor will not request full job payment before completion.

8. No Warranty, No Guarantees:

A good roofer will stake their claim for the job. A bad one? They finish the job and disappear, so you have nowhere to turn if something happens.

The homeowner in Highlands Ranch thought she was good to go—until her roof started leaking a year later. It turns out the company hadn’t even offered a warranty. She was on her own.

✅ How to avoid it: Ask about the warranties on the materials and the labor. A good roofer will guarantee their work.

Remember to trust you intuition.

If your ‘gut’ tells you something doesn’t feel right about the salesperson and/or the company… trust it and walk away.

Final Thoughts: How to Protect Yourself from Bad Roofing Companies

So, hailstorms in Denver?

They are not funny, right?

But listen, the real problem is when those nasty contractors knock on your door after the storm.

I know for a fact that it happens.

So, how does one avoid getting burned by these bad roofing companies?

Remember to follow these steps…

✔ Research local companies. First, do some investigation. Find those local roofing contractors on Google. Ensure they are legitimate—they have a license and insurance, and check out what others say in the reviews.

✔ Get everything in writing. Everything should be written down. If they are making vague statements and will not put them in writing, then run!

✔ Get multiple quotes. Get at least three estimates. Furthermore, if one is much higher or lower than the others, it is a cause for concern.

✔ Don’t rush. No one should ever force you to do anything. If they are trying to make you sign on the dotted line right in this instance, it is a BIG NO.

Listen, your home is your most valuable asset, and you wouldn’t want just anyone to come and touch your roof, right?

You want a roofing company that will take pride in their work and not just try to pull a fast one on you.

Want help finding a trusted roofer?

We’re here to answer your questions—no pressure, no gimmicks. Just honest advice and quality work that lasts.

We have been in business helping residential homeowners since 1991. We are your go-to roofing company.

Call Reitz Roofing at 303-466-0161 for more details.

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