No, not by default. The cheapest roofing bid in Colorado Springs is only a good deal if it covers the same work as the others, and low bids usually get low by leaving things out: reused flashing, no decking allowance, no drip edge, an ice barrier skipped on a home above 7,000 feet, or a vague “per code” in place of a line item. Compare written scopes line by line first. Then compare the contractors: PPRBD license, insurance, written contract and how they handle problems after the job.
What a low bid often leaves out
| Line item | What a complete bid says | What a thin bid says |
|---|---|---|
| Tear-off | All layers removed to the deck (PPRBD requires it for new asphalt) | “Remove and replace” with no detail |
| Decking | Price per sheet for rotten or gapped decking | Nothing, then a change order on install day |
| Underlayment and ice barrier | Type named; ice barrier at eaves where required | ”Felt” or nothing |
| Drip edge | At eaves and rakes, as PPRBD requires | Missing |
| Flashing | New step, wall, chimney and valley flashing | ”Reuse existing” |
| Pipe boots and vents | Replaced, with the vent count | Not listed |
| Ridge and starter | Matching manufacturer ridge cap and starter | Cut-up shingles |
| Permit and inspection | PPRBD permit pulled by the contractor | Silent, or “homeowner to obtain” |
| Cleanup | Magnetic sweep and haul-off | Not listed |
If two bids still differ after you line these up, the cheaper one may be the better value. Our guide to reading a roofing estimate explains the line items in more detail.
Red flags Colorado law already addresses
- Deductible offers. C.R.S. 6-22-105 bars a roofer paid from insurance proceeds from promising to pay, waive or rebate your deductible.
- No written contract. C.R.S. 6-22-103 requires a signed contract before work starts that lists the scope, approximate costs and dates, the contractor’s insurer, and your 72-hour right to cancel with a full deposit refund.
- Large deposit with no trust language. The contract must say in bold that your payment is held in trust until materials are delivered or most of the work is done.
- No PPRBD license. Reroofs and repairs over 100 square feet in the Pikes Peak region must be done by a PPRBD-licensed contractor, unless you own and live in the home and do the work yourself.
- “We’ll handle your claim.” A roofer can document damage and make sure nothing gets missed in the scope, but the claim is yours, between you and your insurer.
For more on vetting the company itself, see how to tell if a Colorado Springs roofer is legitimate.
Where the cheap roof costs more later
The real cost of a thin bid shows up as a leak at reused flashing two winters later, a hail claim on a roof whose workmanship nobody will stand behind, or a contractor who cannot be reached. If that has already happened to you, what to do when a roofing contractor messes up lays out your options. If you are deciding whether a full replacement is even needed, start with how to tell it is time to replace a roof. And if hail is the reason you are getting bids, consider whether a Class 4 roof is worth it on your street.
How we price a roof
We inspect first, photograph what we find, and present Good, Better and Best options with upfront pricing, each written as a full scope. Most of the shingle roofs we install are Owens Corning systems, installed as an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor.
Integrity Roofing and Painting is veteran-owned and family-run since 1990, with 650+ Google reviews. Call (719) 488-2800 or book a free inspection to get a written scope you can compare; we respond the same business day. See also our Colorado Springs roof replacement page.
Sources: C.R.S. 6-22-103 and C.R.S. 6-22-105 (unofficial reproductions); PPRBD Reroofing Guidelines (rev. 03/05/2024); Colorado Division of Insurance hail advisory (May 22, 2024).
