Ensuring quality and compliance starts with roof permits. We’ve discussed the significance of hiring a reputable roofing contractor and offered tips for finding one you can trust. It’s crucial to verify that your chosen contractor has obtained a roof permit from your city before commencing construction on your home. This permit not only safeguards you as the homeowner but also ensures adherence to local regulations.
Why are permits important?
Permits ensure that a 3rd party entity such as the city or town you live in, will perform an inspection of your roof and verify the quality of work performed by the contractor. A permit ensures a city inspector will come to your home, once the contractor states that the work is complete, and they will verify that the installation meets all city codes. City Inspectors are experts and know what exactly to look for to ensure your roof is a quality installation.
Permits are also important because they keep a record of the type of work performed on your home and when, which can be important when it comes to selling your home and proving what work has been done.
Do you need a permit to install roof solar panels in Colorado?
You may be wondering if permitting is required for solar projects as well. The short answer is yes, you will likely need some form of building permit to install solar panels on your home’s roof. The exact requirements vary throughout the state of Colorado, as many counties and cities have their own regulations for solar permitting. However, solar panel installation will typically require an electrical permit and often a roofing permit, as it’s common (and recommended!) to repair or replace a roof immediately before installing a new solar array.
The Permitting Process
The roofing contractor performing the work is responsible for obtaining a permit from the city before work begins. They notify the city once they have completed the work and the city will come and inspect the work once they have been notified that the work has been completed by the contractor.
A failed inspection from the city simply means that one or more elements of the city’s building code has not been met, and the issue must be corrected before the city approves the work completed by the contractor(s).
The average cost of a permit is around $130, but keep in mind that the cost varies city by city, by size of the job, and by what work is being performed.
What does it mean if a roofing contractor doesn’t pull a permit?
In order to get a permit, your roofing contractor must prove that they are licensed with each city, and prove that they are insured. As a homeowner, this should be hugely important to you as it protects you should an unforeseen catastrophe occur during your roofing projects, such as damage to your home or an injury on your property.
Some roofing contractors don’t pull a permit simply to cut costs, but oftentimes there are more serious implications when a contractor is not pulling a permit. Potentially, it could mean that your roofing contractor is not registered with the city or town you live in—remember, if they are not registered with your city the contractor has yet to become licensed and prove that they are insured with your city officials.
The biggest takeaway we want you to have is that a roof permit protects both you as the homeowner, and us as the roofing contractor. With a 3rd party (the city) inspecting our work (or any roofing contractor’s work) you can be assured that your roof was installed properly and is within your city’s code.