Consumer Alert: Recent Denver Storms Leading to Roofing Company Fraud

The recent wave of Denver area storms has brought the roofing scammers out.  

 

The Denver Chapter of the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers who were hit by the recent Denver hail storms that Green Start Construction is scamming people needing roof repairs. It has been reported that they have taken payments from more than a dozen home owners, and never begun any work. Currently, the owner Anthony Marquez has not responded to calls or any attempts to speak with him.

 

In another roofing scam this summer, the Colorado Attorney General has indicted five men for offering homeowners in Arapahoe, Boulder, Delta, Jefferson, Larimer, Mesa, Monroe, and Ouray counties extremely low prices for roofing work, and even beginning work on some homes without permission.  Then, they inflated the final price claiming that extra work was needed. One man reportedly paid more than 24,000 for work far below standards.

 

Please be aware that by Colorado Senate Bill 38, roofing companies can’t pay, waive, or reimburse homeowners for their insurance deductible.  Legitimate roofing and construction companies are definitely losing money due to companies operating outside the law, and offering to pay insurance deductibles.

 

Before you decide to do business with any roofing or construction company consider the following:

 

1. Don’t be rushed into a decision. Say “No Thank You” when pressured by a contractor to sign now in order to get a discount or a deal.
2. Learn about the company.
3. Ask for referrals from similar jobs.
4. Ask how long the company has been operating, and check out their history with the Denver Better Business Bureau and online.
5. Insist on getting a few written estimates that describe the work to be done and materials used in detail.
6. Make sure the company is bonded and insured.
7. Insist on a written contract for everything.
8. Never prepay for services.
9. If an offer looks to be good to be true like the example above, investigate it thoroughly. It probably is.

 

If you are having trouble getting information about a company, you can contact the Colorado Secretary of State at (303) 894-2200. CJ Restoration is happy to give you a second opinion, or answer questions about an offer from another company. Feel free to call us (303) 690-9253 with any question about your damaged roof or home.

How To Spot Hail And Wind Roof Damage Quickly From A Typical Denver Storm

Wind damage from typical Denver storms can range from missing shingles to cracks in the seal between shingles to larger cracks that allow water directly into your home. Hail storm damage can actually bruise and dent you roof in a manner that allows the structure of your damaged roof to be weakened enough to allow water into our home. If you spot roof damage quickly you can reduce the chance that additional damage will occur.

Some roof damage like missing shingles is easy to spot,  while other damage like bruised, dented, or mold damaged shingles can be almost invisible from the road.

Missing shingles from a Denver area hail storm.

Mold damaged roof near Aurora, CO.

 If you have binoculars, it may help to use them as you inspect your roof from your yard or road. If you need to get a closer look at your roof you can use a ladder. Do not go on or walk around your roof. It’s possible that you may cause more damage, and the structure of our roof may not be stable if the weather that caused the damage was severe enough.

Common Signs of Roof Damage

• Missing shingles
• Bruised or dented asphalt shingles
• Sagging ceiling
• Visible buckling
• Discoloration of shingles
• Cracked or broken tile, slate, or concrete shingles
• Granules collecting in gutters or downspouts
• Leaks in your roof or ceiling
• Dent on vents, gutters, or flashing

 Common Signs of Exterior Home Damage

•  Dings and dents
• Cracks and splitting
• Holes and breaks
• Chipping and discoloration

 Common Signs of Window Damage

• Shattered windows
• Window screen tears
• Cracks and holes
• Broken panes
• Damaged frame

You can use the lists above to assess if you need to call your insurance agent. You can call a trusted roofing company like CJ Restoration at 303 690-9253 to give you a free, no obligation inspection and report of your damage, advise you if our roof and exterior damage is covered by your insurance, and work hand-in-hand to maximize your insurance claim.