Get Quotes from Top Roofing Contractors in Denver, CO

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor in Denver

Thunderstorms and hail storms are common to Colorado. These severe weather conditions can cause large amounts of debris to fall on your building, sometimes damaging parts of the building's roof. While it is necessary to get immediate roof repairs when this happens, you should be cautious to hire the right hand for the job. Note that nearly all roofing-related fraud compliants received by the District Attorney's Office involved scam roofers who showed up in front of homeowner's doors after a storm. Therefore, whether you need repair after a storm, doing a routine maintenance to take care of wear and tear, or installing a new roof, it is recommended to hire a licensed and reputable roofing contractor. You can ask the following questions to be sure of your roofer's competency:

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in Denver?

In Denver, roofers are required to obtain a contractor license from the city's Department of Community Planning and Development before offering their services to members of the public. According to the city's Building and Fire Code, it is unlawful to engage in roofing work without a contractor license and without complying with the minimum standards for roofing projects. Performing any roofing work without a license is a violation punishable by a fine of up to $999 or a jail term of not more than 300 days.

To avoid these penalties, anyone who wishes to work as a roofing contractor in the city must meet the requirements for obtaining a contractor license and obtaining a license. The first requirement for obtaining a contractor license in Denver is obtaining a supervisor certificate or employing a supervisor certificate holder. Note that contractor licenses are only issued to individuals who hold a supervisor certificate or employ a supervisor certificate holder.

Applicants who have obtained a supervisor certificate can proceed to complete a supervisor statement of responsibility form as a legal supervisor certificate holder. The applicant must then file the necessary secretary of state documents according to their operating status. If the applicant is a sole proprietor using a trading name or an individual using a personal name, they must fill out and notarize an Affidavit of Lawful Presence and upload a notarized copy of their secure and verifiable identification as listed on the affidavit when applying.

Applicants can provide all the necessary documentation online using the city's Department of Community Planning and Development's e-permits platform. Likewise, applicants who do not wish to use the e-permit platform can complete and submit a contractor license application form and other necessary documents via mail or in person at the Denver Department of Community Planning and Development address provided below:

Contractor Licensing Desk
Department of Community Planning and Development
2nd floor of Webb Municipal Building
201 W.Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80202

All applicants must pay the applicable contractor licensing fee regardless of whether they are submitting their application online, via mail, or in person. After reviewing the application, the Department of Community Planning and Development will issue a license card to successful applicants. For more information concerning the process and requirements for obtaining a contractor license in Denver, call (720) 865-2770 or send an email to the Department of Community Planning and Development.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Roofers in the City?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, roofers in the Denver area earn an average wage of $23.72 per hour. How much your roofing contractors will charge is typically influenced by a variety of factors, which include:

  • The size of your home and the nature of the roofing project
  • The current state of the roof to be worked on
  • The type of roofing materials that will be used for the job

However, residents of Denver can always get a fair price for their roofing project by requesting bids or quotes from at least three different roofing contractors in the city.

Roofers in Denver earn an average wage of $41,430 annually. The average hourly wages of roofers in Denver and those of roofers in other areas of Colorado State, as well as other major cities in the country, are compared below:

Denver Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$23.72
Boulder Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$24.41
Fort Collins Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$22.45
Pueblo Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$21.50
Greeley Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$22.77
Aurora Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$23.72
Los Angeles Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$29.11
Washington D.C. Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$25.52
Houston Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$19.78
Phoenix Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$23.41
Chicago Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$31.74
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Will You Get the Roofing Permits Required as per the Denver Building Code?

In Denver, roofing permits are required to perform any type of roofing work. Starting a roofing project without a roofing permit attracts a permit fee that is double the regular permit fee. To avoid paying more than the regular permit fees, homeowners should apply for and obtain a roofing permit or ensure that their roofing contractor obtains the necessary permits before starting work on the project. Roofing contractors can obtain a roofing permit by submitting their permit applications and necessary plans online via the city's e-permit webpage or by downloading, completing, and submitting a roofing permit application form at the address provided below:

Development Services
201 W. Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80202

Upon receiving the application, the city's Development Services will review it to ensure it meets the building, zoning, and fire codes. Note that permits will be issued to only individuals whose application is complete and accompanied by the permit fee. Once a permit is issued for a roofing project, homeowners and contractors must ensure that it is displayed or available on the job site at all times as soon as they begin the project. In addition to making the permit available at the job sites at all times, homeowners and contractors should also ensure that the roofing work is accessible and exposed for inspection.

Denver's Department of Community Planning and Development carries out inspections on any construction work for which a permit has been issued. Roofing contractors can schedule inspections online via the e-permit webpage or by calling (720) 865-2505. For more information concerning roofing permit status, call (720) 865-2790, and queries concerning inspections, call (720) 865-2505.

 

What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?

Before hiring anyone for your roofing project, it is crucial to find out whether the individual specializes in providing the type of roofing services you need. Roofers in Denver offer different roofing services, which include residential roofing, commercial roofing, roofing repairs, roofing replacement, and gutter installation. To ensure that your preferred roofer is an expert in the type of service you need, request a list of satisfied clients the roofer has previously worked for, as well as a means to contact these clients for a first-hand review of the roofer's expertise.

In addition, you should also find out if the roofer has the requisite skill and experience to install the type of roofing materials you choose to use for the project. Request pictures of projects the roofer completed in the past with the exact roofing material you choose. Note that Denver city buildings use a variety of roofing materials. Examples of these are asphalt shingle, natural slate, wood shake or composite, tile, metal, solar, and foam or single-ply.

Once you have confirmed that the roofer is competent enough to handle the project, you can now discuss the cost of the service you need. Provided below are the estimated costs of some roofing services that are commonly requested by property owners in Denver. Note that factors like your location within the city and the reputation of the roofer that you hire may affect these costs:

Estimates based on task:

Asphalt shingle roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$163.76 - $266.11
Flat roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$133.06 - $220.05
Slate roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$742.04 - $1,842.30
Tile roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$767.63 - $1,228.20
Wood shake roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$537.35 - $706.22
Metal roof paint
$762.51 - $997.91
Roof cleaning (per visit, for a typical two-story house)
$346.48 - $451.36
Roof heating cable installation (per linear foot of eave)
$32.75 - $38.89
Roof inspection (per visit, for a two-story home with a typical roofline)
$179.11 - $307.05
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Estimates based on roof pitch (per square feet):

Flat roof replacement
$3.70 - $8.50
Low-slope roof replacement
$3.70 - $8.50
Conventional slope roof replacement
$3.50 - $9.50
Steep slope roof replacement
$4 - $14
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Estimates for roof repair/replacement based on roofing material (per square feet):

Asphalt shingle
$3 - $8
Vinyl (PVC)
$3 - $8
Plastic
$3 - $10
Bitumen
$4 - $9
Concrete Tile
$4 - $25
Metal
$4 - $35
Rubber
$4 - $15
Architectural shingles
$5 - $20
Cedar
$5 - $20
Composite
$9 - $20
Clay
$9 - $25
Green
$9 - $37
Solar
$12 - $25
Slate
$15 - $25
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Estimates for roof repair/replacement based on shape (per square feet):

Gable
$3.50 - $9
Hipped
$3.50 - $9
Dutch
$3.50 - $9
Butterfly
$3.50 - $9
Dormer
$3.50 - $10
Flat
$3.50 - $9
A-Frame
$3 - $25
Mansard
$7.50 - $20
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Roofing Companies in Denver?

In Denver, roofers are not required to carry insurance policies before they can provide their services in the city. However, it is essential to note that hiring a roofing contractor who is not insured exposes the homeowner to various liabilities that may result from injuries, property damage, and death during the project. Homeowners should bear in mind that roofing projects usually involve a lot of climbing, heavy lifting, bending, and kneeling, which exposes roofers to several workplace hazards, such as injuries due to slips, stumbles, and halls from heights. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 100 roofing contractors were involved in fatal workplace injuries across the country in 2020 alone.

Homeowners in Denver must understand that work injuries may occur during their roofing project, and they are liable for the liabilities associated with these injuries if the roofing contractor they hired is not insured. As a result, it is always best for homeowners to ensure that the roofing contractor they intend to hire is insured. Homeowners can make sure of this by asking their preferred roofer for proof of insurance and contacting the insurance company that issued the to confirm the roofing contractor's insurance status.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Roofer in Denver

According to the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, Denver and other parts of Colorado are a big hit for roofing scams, and nearly all the roofing-related scam complaints received by this office involve door-to-door solicitors who look for unsuspecting citizens, especially elders, to defraud. As a result, residents of the city should be wary of roofing contractors that show up in front of their doors offering repairs or installation after a storm, as such persons are often scammers looking for who to prey on. Homeowners can further ensure that they do not hire a dishonest roofing contractor by taking the following precautionary steps:

  • Get a referral list from family, friends, and close associates
  • Get estimates from at least three different contractors and compare costs before making a decision
  • Find out whether the contractor's company is registered to do business in the state. You can check to see how long the contractor's company has been in business using the Colorado Secretary of State's website
  • Find out if the roofing contractor is licensed to work in the city. You can do so by utilizing the Department of Community Planning and Development's verify a contractor's license portal
  • Always confirm if the roofing contractor is a member of the Colorado Roofing Association
  • Visit third-party websites like Better Business Bureau to see if a complaint has been made against the contractor in the past
  • Make sure that the roofing contractor is insured. Ask for proof of insurance and contact the company that issued the insurance certificate to verify the information provided by the contractor
  • Ask for references and contact recent customers to ensure that the roofing contractor is competent enough to handle the project
  • Do not make full payment for the project until the job is completed

If you suspect fraudulent activity during your roofing project, you can report the activity to the Denver District Attorney's Office by calling (720) 913-9179. Likewise, you can also report roofing scams by filing a complaint with the Colorado Attorney General's Office. To file a complaint, you must complete an online complaint form provided by the Attorney General's Office. However, you can also claim damages from the roofer by filing a lawsuit with the Denver County 2nd Judicial District Court. Note that it is crucial to consult a lawyer before filing an action. This will help you to know all the available legal options, as well as their implications. If you do not have a lawyer, you can use the Colorado Bar Association's Find a Lawyer directory to see licensed lawyers near you.