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Attorney General Says Roofing & Home Repair Scams On The Rise In Colorado

DENVER (CBS4) - Hailstorms have caused billions of dollars' worth of damage in Colorado. That's why almost half of your homeowner's insurance premium may go toward hail damage costs. But having coverage doesn't mean you're protected from roofing companies doing questionable work. The Colorado Attorney General's Office says roofing and home repair scams are on the rise right now in the state.

Mary Navarro still does not have a new roof after she says she paid Hybrid Remodeling Concepts her $15,000 insurance check for hail damage. She says Hybrid never even did the job. Her insurance company has now canceled her policy.

Mary Navarro
CBS4's Jennifer Brice is shown roofing paperwork from Mary Navarro (credit: CBS)

"I've been sick," said Navarro. "I trusted the guy and now I'll never be able to trust anyone again."

 

Navarro isn't the only homeowner frustrated with Hybrid. Kathy Varone had a $9,300 contract with Hybrid for a new roof, soffits, gutters and paint. The roof didn't pass inspection two times by the City of Centennial. She's since done her homework about the company online.

"They're total scammers. They go under several names of Hybrid," Varone said.

Varone says she had to pay another contractor an additional $8,000 out of her pocket to fix the roof Hybrid installed. She also ended up with a lien on her house.

Kathy Varone's Roof
Kathy Varone's room (credit: CBS)

"They (Hybrid) didn't pay the gutter subcontractor for three months so he put a lien on my property," she said.

Hybrid Remodeling Concepts has an "F" rating with the Better Business Bureau. Customer complaints range from sales, billing, warranty and service problems. The Secretary of State's website says Hybrid was dissolved this year.

CBS4 tried reaching the owners but were not successful. CBS4 visited the last known physical location for the company and the phone number forwards to a message saying they're not available.

Bad Roofers PKG
CBS4's Jennifer Brice attempts to contact someone from Hybrid Remodeling Concepts (credit: CBS)

The Colorado Attorney General's Office says there is a significant increase in home repair scams. They urge consumers to not rush to do work at the request of the contractor.

Roofing scams run the gamut, according to Attorney General Cynthia Coffman.

"With roofing we have seen folks who come to the door, offer to go up on the roof and inspect for hail damage and they will actually cause damage if it isn't there," Coffman said.

Coffman
CBS4's Jennifer Brice talks with Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman (credit: CBS)

Consumers need to be smart, do homework and try to get referrals from the insurance company or neighbors.

Navarro says she received a letter from one of Hybrid's owners who said he's no longer part of the company and wants to attempt to resolve the matter. Navarro says the money is already gone.

Meanwhile, Varone says she hopes her story will be a buyers beware for others to never hand over the entire check before a contractor is done and the work approved.

Kathy Varone
Kathy Varone talks with CBS4's Jennifer Brice (credit: CBS)

"It's not anymore for me, it's for other homeowners," she said. "They (Hybrid) have targeted single mothers, widows, senior citizens ... that's who I'm doing this for," Varone said

The Attorney General's Office says never allow an uninvited contractor to "look around" or make an "inspection." Demand a written contract. Before you spend any significant amount of money on home repairs, obtain bids from at least three different contractors.

Additional Resources

Some good guidelines for consumers to follow when picking a contractor include:

- Never allow an uninvited contractor into your home to "look around" or make an "inspection."
- Say "no" to contractors using high pressure sales tactics or requesting that you make an immediate decision.
- Before you select your contractor, check with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies and your local government to determine if your contractor is properly licensed and their rating with the Better Business Bureau and status on the Secretary of State's website.
- Demand the selected contractor sign a written contract that spells out specific details of the agreement including: When the work will be started, the quality and type of all materials to be used, and when the work will be completed.
- Insist on making partial payments under the contract as specific work is completed to your satisfaction.
- Require your contractor to obtain mechanic's lien waivers from all suppliers and subcontractors.
- Require proof that permits are pulled.

Jennifer Brice is a reporter with CBS4 focusing on crime and courts. Follow her on Twitter @CBS4Jenn.

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