How to hire a roofer: 4 steps to make scary process easier

Hail. Snow. Wind. Fire. Tree limbs. You may love life in Colorado, but it can be hell on a roof.

"We're getting weary of using the word 'unprecedented,' " said Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association.

A single, late-September hailstorm this year created home and auto claims worth at least $213.3 million. That's not a record-setter: The title of most damaging storm belongs to a July 20, 2009, hail storm, which cost $767.6 million in claims, according to the association's figures. But for some companies, 2014 has been their biggest claim year because there were multiple storms, Walker said.

When a storm hits town, so can scammers, Walker notes, along with out-of-town roofers who may be perfectly legit, but also less experienced with the challenges roofs face here. They also won't be in town when the roof is five years old.

But it's also true that local, reputable roofers can get booked up. While Walker hasn't seen a backlog in 2014, it has happened.

Whatever the reason for a new roof, the process of getting it replaced can seem overwhelming. Here's a guide to getting it done, compiled from information produced by the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, the Better Business Bureau; the Colorado Attorney General's office; the National Roofing Contractors' Association and the Colorado Roofing Association.

1. Get the basics, avoid the scams

First: If an unsolicited salesperson shows up, don't allow them into your home or on your roof. Request that they leave you printed information and make an appointment so that you can check them out first. (If you truly suspect they're scammers, try to record their vehicle's license-plate number.)

Second: If they offer a deal on your deductible or put any kind of pressure on you to decide or sign anything, say "no" and mean it. You can download and print a card that says "No Roofing Solicitors!" at the Colorado Roofing Association website, coloradoroofing.org.

While there is no statewide licensure or registration for roofers, as contractors, they must be licensed by, and pull a permit from, each city or county where they perform work.

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How to hire a roofer: 4 steps to make scary process easier