Choosing a roofing contractor is one of those decisions that seems simple until you actually start the process. You Google "roofing company near me," get bombarded with ads, receive three or four wildly different quotes, and suddenly you are not sure who to trust with the biggest investment sitting on top of your house.
Here is the thing. Colorado's roofing market is unlike almost anywhere else in the country. Our state gets hammered by hailstorms every single year, which means there is a constant flood of roofing companies competing for your business. Some are excellent. Some are terrible. And some are somewhere in between, doing mediocre work at premium prices.
After spending more than a decade in this industry and replacing over 7,200 roofs across the Colorado Front Range, we have seen every trick in the book. Here is how to separate the great contractors from the ones that will leave you with regret.
Start With Credentials (They Matter More Than You Think)
Anyone with a truck and a ladder can call themselves a roofing contractor. Colorado does not require a state roofing license, which means the barrier to entry is extremely low. That makes it even more important to verify a company's credentials before signing anything.
Manufacturer Certifications
The single most reliable indicator of quality is manufacturer certification. Companies like GAF, CertainTeed, Malarkey, and Owens Corning all have certification programs that require contractors to meet strict standards for training, workmanship, business stability, and customer satisfaction.
These are not easy certifications to earn. GAF's Master Elite program, for example, is only available to the top 2% of roofing contractors nationwide. CertainTeed's Shingle Master Pro is similarly exclusive.
Gates Enterprises is the only roofing company in Colorado that holds all four major certifications: GAF Master Elite, CertainTeed Shingle Master Pro, Malarkey, and Emerald Premium our certifications. We mention this not to brag, but because it matters to you directly. Higher certifications mean better warranties, better materials, and better trained installers.
Insurance and Workers' Compensation
Always ask for proof of general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. If a worker gets injured on your property and the company does not carry workers' comp, you could be held liable. This is not hypothetical. It happens.
Business History
How long has the company been in business? Do they have a physical office you can visit? Are they registered with the Colorado Secretary of State? A company that has been operating locally for years is far less likely to cut corners than one that popped up last month.
Get Multiple Quotes (But Do Not Just Pick the Cheapest One)
Getting three to five quotes is standard advice, and it is good advice. But here is where most homeowners go wrong. They compare quotes purely on price and pick the lowest number.
The cheapest quote is almost never the best value. In roofing, low prices usually mean one of three things: cheaper materials, shortcuts on installation, or a company that is underestimating the job and will hit you with change orders later.
When comparing quotes, look at the details. What brand and product line of shingles are they using? What underlayment are they installing? Are they replacing the drip edge, flashing, and ventilation? Are they tearing off the old roof or going over it? How many layers of ice and water shield are they using in the valleys?
A thorough quote should be detailed enough that you can compare apples to apples across contractors. If a company gives you a one page quote with just a total price and no breakdown, that is a red flag.
Watch Out for Storm Chasers
After every major hailstorm in Colorado, out of state roofing companies swarm into the affected areas. They knock on doors, set up temporary offices, and offer to handle your insurance restoration for you. In the industry, we call them storm chasers.
Not all storm chasers do bad work, but the business model itself is problematic. These companies come in, do the job as quickly as possible, collect their check, and leave. If something goes wrong six months later, good luck finding them.
How to spot a storm chaser:
They show up at your door unsolicited right after a storm. They have out of state license plates. Their "local office" is a hotel room or a temporary rental. They pressure you to sign a contract on the spot. They offer to pay your deductible (which is insurance fraud, by the way). Their online reviews are thin or nonexistent in your area.
A legitimate local contractor will not pressure you. They will give you time to do your research, provide references you can actually call, and be available long after the job is done.
Check Reviews (But Read Them Critically)
Online reviews are a useful tool, but you need to read them with some discernment. A company with 4.8 stars and 500 reviews is generally trustworthy. A company with 5.0 stars and 12 reviews might have asked their friends and family to post.
Look for patterns in the reviews. Do multiple people mention the same strengths or weaknesses? Are the reviews recent? Do they mention specific crew members or project details (which suggests they are real)?
Also check Google, the Better Business Bureau, and sites like the GAF and CertainTeed contractor directories. These manufacturer directories only list contractors who maintain their certification, so they are a good secondary filter.
Ask About Warranty Coverage
Roofing warranties can be confusing because there are actually two types: the manufacturer's material warranty and the contractor's workmanship warranty.
The manufacturer's warranty covers defects in the shingles themselves. The contractor's warranty covers installation errors. You need both, and the quality of each depends on who you hire.
Here is something most homeowners do not realize. Manufacturer certifications directly affect the warranty you receive. A GAF Master Elite contractor like Gates Enterprises can offer GAF's Golden Pledge warranty, which is the highest level of coverage GAF provides warranty coverage. A non certified contractor installing the same shingles can only offer a much more limited warranty.
The same principle applies across all major manufacturers. Higher contractor certification equals better warranty protection for you. It is one of the most compelling reasons to choose a certified contractor.
Communication and Professionalism Matter
Pay attention to how a company communicates with you from the very first interaction. Do they return calls promptly? Do they show up on time for the estimate? Do they explain things clearly without being condescending? Do they answer your questions directly instead of deflecting?
Roofing is a big project, and you want to work with a company that treats you like a partner in the process, not just another sale. The way they handle the estimate process is a preview of how they will handle the actual project.
At Gates Enterprises, we assign a dedicated project manager to every job our process. That person is your single point of contact from the first phone call to the final walkthrough. You will never have to wonder who to call if you have a question.
The Insurance Restoration Factor
If your roof replacement is being covered by an insurance restoration project (which is extremely common in Colorado), you need a contractor who understands the insurance process inside and out.
A great insurance restoration contractor will inspect your roof for free, attend the adjuster meeting with you, review the insurance company's estimate for accuracy, submit supplements if the estimate is too low, and coordinate all the paperwork insurance restoration support.
A contractor who does not understand insurance restoration may accept the insurance company's first offer at face value, leaving thousands of dollars on the table. Or worse, they may start the job and then discover the insurance payout does not cover the actual cost, leaving you to make up the difference.
This is one of the areas where Gates Enterprises truly stands apart. We have navigated thousands of insurance restoration projects over the past decade, and our team knows exactly how to ensure our clients receive the full amount they are entitled to under their policy.
Red Flags to Walk Away From
Let us make this simple. Walk away if a contractor does any of the following.
They demand a large deposit upfront before any work begins. They refuse to provide proof of insurance. They will not give you a written contract with detailed scope of work. They pressure you to sign immediately. They offer to waive your insurance deductible. They cannot provide local references. They have no manufacturer certifications. They do not pull permits when required by your municipality.
Your Roof Protects Everything. Choose Wisely.
A new roof is one of the most expensive home improvements you will ever make. It is also one of the most important. The right contractor will give you a roof that protects your family for decades. The wrong one will give you headaches, leaks, and warranty issues that go nowhere.
Take your time. Do your homework. Ask the tough questions.
And if you want to start with a company that has over a decade of experience, more than 7,200 completed roofs, and the only quadruple manufacturer certification in Colorado, give Gates Enterprises a call at (720) 766-3377 or schedule your free inspection today schedule a free inspection.