When a roofing contractor messes up in Colorado, homeowners can push back: document everything, read your contract, give the contractor written notice and a fair chance to fix it, and check the permit record. If that fails, use the protections Colorado law builds into every residential roofing contract, the contractor’s insurance and any manufacturer warranty, and file complaints where they count. Get an independent inspection before anyone else works on the roof, so the original problem is on record. This page is practical guidance, not legal advice; for a large loss, talk to an attorney.
Step by step
1. Document the problem. Photograph leaks, stains, debris, unfinished areas and anything visible from the ground, with dates. Keep every text, email and voicemail. Do not climb onto the roof.
2. Read your contract. Under C.R.S. 6-22-103, a Colorado residential roofing contract must be written and signed before work starts, and must list the scope and materials, approximate dates and costs, the contractor’s physical address and contact details, its surety and liability insurer, the deposit and cancellation policy, and your 72-hour right to cancel. It must also say, in bold, that your payment is held in trust until materials are delivered or most of the work is done. A contract missing these items is itself a problem worth noting.
3. Put it in writing. Send a dated letter or email describing the problem, what you want done and a reasonable deadline. Calls get forgotten; written notice does not.
4. Check the permit. In El Paso County, reroofs and repairs over 100 square feet need a PPRBD permit and a PPRBD-licensed contractor. PPRBD’s site lets you search permits and contractors. The contractor that obtained the permit must schedule the inspection, and permits last 180 days, with one free extension. No permit, or a permit with no final inspection, is useful leverage.
5. Use the warranties. The shingle manufacturer covers product defects; the installer is responsible for workmanship. Find out which applies before more work is done.
6. Escalate. If the contractor does not respond, consider:
- the contractor’s liability insurer, which the contract must name;
- a complaint to the Colorado Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section through StopFraudColorado.gov;
- a review with the Better Business Bureau;
- an attorney or the courts for a significant loss.
Common ways a roofing job goes wrong
| Problem | What it usually means | First move |
|---|---|---|
| Never started, or long delays without reason | Overbooked or under-capitalized contractor | Written notice; ask for the deposit to be returned per the contract |
| Leak right after install | Flashing, boot or valley detail missed | Photos and written notice; ask for a repair date |
| Old flashing reused, no drip edge | Corners cut on the scope | Compare with the written scope; check the permit and inspection |
| Debris and nails left in the yard | Poor cleanup | Photos; ask for a return visit |
| Contractor offered to cover the deductible | Not allowed under C.R.S. 6-22-105 | Note it; the insurer may disregard that contractor’s estimate |
Preventing it next time
The best protection is choosing well at the start: a written, itemized scope, a PPRBD license, proof of insurance and a contract that meets Colorado law. Our guides on why the cheapest bid can cost more and how to tell if a roofer is legitimate cover what to check. If you are planning a new roof after a bad experience, the big-picture decisions before roofing a home and how to know it is time to replace are good places to start again.
A second opinion from us
We inspect, photograph and explain what we find, including whether the problem is workmanship, product or storm damage, and give you a written repair price if you want one. If the roof can be fixed by the original installer under their obligations, we will tell you that too.
Integrity Roofing and Painting is veteran-owned and family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor with 650+ Google reviews and an office at 115 N Union Blvd in Colorado Springs. Call (719) 488-2800 or book a free inspection; we respond the same business day.
Sources: C.R.S. 6-22-103 and C.R.S. 6-22-105 (unofficial reproductions); PPRBD Hail and Disaster Information; PPRBD Reroofing Guidelines (rev. 03/05/2024); Colorado Attorney General, StopFraudColorado.gov.
