Interstate Roofing - DENVER COLORADO If you are a homeowner in Denver DON'T DO BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY!!! You will be Leined!!! Denver, Colorado

12 REASONS NOT TO SELL FOR INTERSTATE

As the 2014 storm season warms up, Interstate Roofing has been encouraging salespeople from Denver to return to Rapid City SD, Omaha NE, and Minneapolis, MN to continue the practice of door to door canvassing and sales of last year’s storm damage.  They are also advertising for young and beginning roofer sales people in the Part Time section of DENVER CraigsList ( A lot of roofing companies like hiring ‘young and dumb’ or ‘trainee’ salespeople—they are easy to rip off and take advantage of).

Either way, aspiring sales people that take the bait and sign on with Interstate Roofing (even the experienced ones) can count on being preyed upon by management, employees, and other salespeople that are Riopelle’s cronies and “partners in crime” :

ABSOLUTELY BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR ATTORNEY REVIEW THE ‘INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT’ BEFORE YOU SIGN IT!

1. First thing that will happen is that your neighborhoods will be poached by certain salespeople within Riopelle’s favored circle.  Never turn in a job until you’ve marketed your neighborhood or you’ll soon see yard signs from other salespeople that are ripping off your leads, like Brian Bailey, who Riopelle lets do what he wants to who he wants to. Any commercial or apartment complex sales will be handed over and split with department managers, nothing you can do about it.

2. You will be held to a high standard, but told one thing, while at the same time being victimized by those who’ll steal from you, with the blessing of management.  No cooperation in communications or office and bookkeeping; the more you question the ineptitude the longer you will wait to get paid, if ever.

3. They will force you to use their yard signs and phone numbers on any marketing that you do for yourself, and will try to claim your customers and referral base for their own.

4. Next, you’ll notice that you’ll be discouraged from doing any marketing on your own—you will be forced to use Interstate’s overpriced canvassers in order to keep them around and so Riopelle can collect a share of the marketing cost for his own profit at the expense of the salesperson’s bottom line.  After that, you’ll notice you get no call ins or any other company leads—they’ll keep you paying extra for canvassers, and if you get call in leads they get hoarded and go to Riopelle’s buddies as payback for kissing his a**.

5. They suck salesmen dry in the bottom line of the cap outs by forcing you to use their high priced Xactimate and other overpriced yet abysmal office services, most of which should be taken from the overpriced Overhead charged off the top of each job.  If you wait for the Interstate Roofing office management and staff to care about you, keeping you informed and getting your jobs built and invoiced, your customers will suffer and you’ll wait months to get paid, if ever.

6. You’ll be forced to use a Advertising Agreement along with the sales contract that encourages a discount program, but in fact is designed for the salesman to take the rap for the company encouraged violations of the CO Trust Fund Statute; then  Interstate Roofing will take the contract price and ADD BACK IN THE DISCOUNT, paying the salesman on the discounted price but taking the 10% Overhead Cost off the full amount with the discount added back in.  Just another way to skim a few extra dollars off a salesperson’s commissions.

7. You’ll be charged for Extended Warrantees that cost you even more out of your commissions, while solely protecting Interstate from future liability.  You never signed anything allowing that (not for residential), or a lot of the other things they’ll do to you.

8. You will find your paperwork and database books to be full of mistakes, with lost, misplaced, or outright fraudulent entries, all designed to enrich Riopelle at the expense of salespersons efforts.  The more the office or production staff “don’t know” something, ( when they really do and use it against the salesperson) gives Interstate  even more control over you. 

9. You are considered and treated as a W2 employee, yet are expected to pay all your own expenses as a “Independent 1099 Contractor.”  Just saves Riopelle money on insurance, taxes, and everything else a legitimate “Employer” should be responsible for; much of Interstate’s business behavior and treatment is against the law and IRS and CDOR regulations. 

10. You will be given ‘draws’ after it takes forever to get paid—and once you’re getting draws, somehow your jobs will never be capped out, and you will never be paid in full—a cheap shot management power and control tactic.  That is, unless you agree to the high priced ‘services’ taken out of your pay.

11. You have no insurance coverage for anything, even Workers Comp or Liability—in fact, you will be blamed for everything to take Interstate off the hook; the Independent Contractor Agreement makes the salesperson responsible for everything, while not requiring the appropriate insurance of the salesperson.

12.If this isn’t enough, a pattern that has been practiced by Riopelle over the years against a number of previous salespeople wherein Interstate will make up or find some excuse to withhold earned commissions from salesmen  or subs that are “uncooperative,” or that “know too much,”and ask too many questions,  or refuse to allow themselves to be punked by the likes of  Brett Wilson, Melanie Altamirano, and Brian Bailey.  Your paperwork WILL get lost, and you WON’T get paid--you aren’t smart enough or have the resources to fight back, think the crooks.

What are you going to do when Interstate simply refuses to pay what you’re owed?  Happens all the time in the organization these days, and there’s not much you can do about it. . .  all Riopelle does is convolute and attempt to confuse the situation, and refuse to pay.  You can file Mechanics Liens on innocent homeowners (Interstate does not care and will let you take the homeowner to court months or years down the road), or like us, you can pony up $5K for a top trial lawyer (previous prosecutors are best) to drag these civil thieves and criminal frauds into court. 

We have over a half dozen previous subs, employees, and vendors that will depose and testify to the ongoing criminal conspiracy to defraud contractors that Interstate and Scott Riopelle are practicing.  Many are afraid of these thugs, and won’t come forward willingly, but we know where they are and they will be subpoenaed.

If you are a beginning roofing salesperson, or would like to know more about roofing industry interstate roofing storm chasing abuses, please comment or call.  Interstate is not the only crooked roofer, but probably the biggest and most arrogant.  Thank You.

December 31. 2013

Dear Mr. St***:

 Mr. Craig W*** of  **********, Inc. recently contacted this Firm concerning problems arising under Independent Contractor Agreements with Interstate Roofing. I have been authorized to write today on behalf of Mr. Wall to present his final proposal for settlement.

 Mr. W*** states that his company has contracted with Interstate Roofing  managers, and that he is owed commissions for work performed in each of those  locations. Mr. W*** describes actions of Interstate Roofing managers which are inconsistent with the terms of the Independent Contractor Agreements, including, but not limited to imposing requirements not required by contract, withholding job information, failure to timely invoice customers, imposing false charge backs, and withholding payment of commissions. Mr. W*** alleges such actions constitute breaches of contract on the part of Interstate Roofing, as well as violate the implied covenant of good faith and  fair dealing.

  Acknowledging “draw” payment received and a “charge” of $98.96, in the total amount of $11,598.96 as of today, Mr. W*** claims his company is still owed a total of $13,600.17, which includes estimated commissions earned and expenses incurred through December 18, 2013. Mr. W*** demands payment of this amount within three (3) days of receipt of this letter, and in exchange will consider such payment in full and final settlement of any and all claims against Interstate Roofing.

 Resolving this matter without the need for costly litigation is in the best interest of everyone involved here. However, if this offer of settlement is not accepted within three  (3) days, Mr. W*** does intend to pursue the full amount due and further legal action to enforce his rights, including making civil claims sounding in breach of contract, fraud, collusion and deceptive business practices, and wherein he will also be seeking a forensic audit of your financial records. 

 Please accept by remitting payment in the amount of $13,600.17 directly to ********** Inc., attention Mr. W***, at  **75 E ******, Suite *, Denver, Colorado 80***. The services of this firm have been made available to Mr. W*** should further action be necessary, but for now, Interstate Roofing or its legal counsel are free to communicate with Mr. W*** directly. 

 In the alternative, you may contact this Law Firm regarding this aforementioned matter at the following number:   (303)-***-****.

 Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

 Very truly yours,

 M*** J***, Esq

 For the Firm

tHIS IS A COMPLAINT RECENTLY FILED WITH THE DENVER BBB BY ANOTHER CUSTOMER OF MINE:

“I was in a hurry because I had just switched homeowners insurance and the insurance company wanted to cancel the new policy because of the old roof.  I was treated bad and delayed over and over by another roofing company.  Then I was contacted by Craig at Interstate Roofing.  He came right over, gave me a fair price on the spot, and we got the roof done before the insurance deadline.  I was so happy I paid the bill in full after the roof was done, but the gutters weren’t done yet.

Craig told me everything was in and the gutters should be done within a week or so after the roof.  He had never told me anything wrong so far so I believed him.  Well, a couple weeks go by, and not a word from Interstate.  After the 2nd week I called them and to find out what the delay was and was told they would be out that Saturday I noted that the temperature would be to cold but was assured that the gutters would be installed.  That Saturday I waited until 10Am and called the office and was told that it was to cold. I had enough and said I was going to do it myself and to cancel the contract and was informed if I wanted to cancel I had to do it in writing. I wrote up the cancellation and hand delivered within the hour.

The following Monday Interstate Roofing called me and only because of Craig Wall's fine service did relent and reschedule the gutter install, over a month after the roof  had been completed, which is 7 weeks they had to make sure the gutters came in right behind the roof.  This is important in the winter in Colorado, as we all know.  My house had gutters on it for over 50 years, since it was built.  I was worried we would get some weather and cause me and my elderly mother (94) slipping on the walks and foundation problems.

The gutter guys did a good job when they finally got there, so did the roofers and Craig.  When Craig explained the real reason the job had been delayed, and what else Interstate Roofing office employees and some of their subcontractors were doing to mess him up, that was the final straw. 

I paid the bill in full a month before the job was completed.  To find out over two months later that Craig Wall who put everything together and helped me out with my insurance company has not been paid yet?  I know about liens on property and will back up Craig in his effort to be paid  Interstate needs to pay their workers in full and fair.   Who else haven’t they paid?

The roofing crew, gutter crew and Craig Wall did a fine job and service.

Interstate Roofing not so much.

Gerry R.,  Denver

Interstate Roofing Rapid City continues using this job as a reason to withhold amounts due for work performed on not just this property, but over 15 others in Rapid City, South Dakota.  Interstate Roofing did nothing to address this non payment of insurance proceeds and condoned behavior by interfering subcontractors and employees, that is, until we insisted on being paid up to date over two months after the incident occurred.  

Thus in order for us as a subcontractor to get paid for our efforts on this disaster restoration, we were forced to file a Lien on the property, after our Notice Of Intent to File a Lien Statement was ignored by both the property owner, and Rapid City Interstateroof.com .  

This customer is the only one that deserves a Lien to be filed for non payment.  Please look at the emails to see how this customer deceived us.  All our other clients in Rapid City were honest, communucative, and paid their invoices as soon as they received them from the carriers.  Shame on Interstate Roofing for allowing this behavior to be allowed, and for blaming others rather than being accountable for their personnel's actions. 

Be sure to check the Better Business Bureau, Yelp Denver, and pissedconsumer.com, and other forums as you do your research on Interstate Roofing Rapid City .  

Thsi type of behavior condoned by any company can result in liabiities to property owners of which they have little or no control, AND CAN LEAD TO UNNECESSARY STRESS AND COST FOR THE INNOCENT PROPERTY OWNER!

I was acting as a general contractor for myself as a 1099 contractor, and a roofing salesperson for Interstate Roofing, working for a Margaret M**** in Rapid City, SD on or about September 15, 2013.  This contact was lead paid for by me from HomeAdvisor, a online referral network.

The homeowner is rather disadvantaged, retired on a fixed income, and I suspect a little mentally unstable.  I worked for several weeks off and on attempting to make the Insurance Carrier treat her fairly in giving her enough funds to properly repair the hail damage to her home.  I was finally able to get her another $2000 or so to cover additional damage that was shown to the carrier on a reinspection. 

I was told continually throughout the process by the homeowner how poor she was, that she could not afford deductible, ect.  In addition, the house was built in the 1940’s and had been poorly maintained.  As a EPA Lead Certified Renovator, I know legally that the hail damaged paint could not be disturbed without appropriate mitigation efforts.  This led me to applying for additional funds from the insurance company to pay for the extra activity associated with mitigation during repairs.  I also began a search for a Lead Certified Painter that could provide a bid to perform the mitigation and painting work. 

The insurance company stalled the project for weeks, eventually denying the policy holder had coverage for mitigation (I was never provided a copy, despite repeated requests to the carrier and homeowner, who keeps her property as a ‘hoarder,’ as pictured on television).  Nor were there any Lead Licensed painters available in the area, especially since the catastrophes.  Thus I decided to act as a Independent Contractor, taking on a lot of the work at no cost (all of the mitigation was performed under my direction as the only  Lead Licensed Renovator in the area, period).  

Despite having to do much of the work pro bono, the property owners had committed to paying for all the repairs I had recovered funds for.  I personally performed the gutter work and painting prep and primer with the understanding that we (Interstate) would be compensated with whatever funds I had recovered for each specific category work was performed for.  I personally can donate whatever I choose to; I did donate the mitigation (several hundred dollars worth), after being promised (and bound to by contract) that we would be paid for the insurance compensated items. 

After all the specialty work (mitigated and prepped paint west elevation) had been completed, the property owner accosted one of my contractors that was sent to complete the work, screaming at him and making false accusations regarding my performance on her project.  My sub was totally confused, and at the next job he was going to do for Interstate (different salesperson) he asked if the homeowners had heard anything about Interstate, in a conversational fashion.  When the salesperson (Brian Bailey) heard about the situation, he vindictively encouraged a Interstate employee, Tim Serantoni, to intercede and interfere with me with my client. Serantoni claimed he was a company manager in order to claim control over me, then ‘forgot’ to tell me about the situation. As a result, the client felt they could therefore ignore me and not pay their bill.

I have done this livelihood for years, and in every storm there is always someone who wants the work done, then simply thinks they can keep the insurance proceeds for themselves. I am a licensed adjuster myself, and am bound by ethics, codes of behavior, and other professional criteria.  I will not be a party to fraud.  I was forbidden by Interstate to fulfill my obligations as a 1099 contractor and to the Terms of their own Independent Agreement (he beginning of Interstate's conspiracy to prompt me to violate their own Agreement; I tried to collect by emails, which are very firm (but not vulgar or illegal).

I feel that Interstate, by not feeling obligated to communicate with me on this situation, then ultimately ( with further efforts by Bailey, Serantoni, and Melanie Altamirano, Bailey’s wife, supported by Interstate management and Brett Wilson) inflaming and using this scenario as a pretext to: 

1. Bailey wished to steal my book of business and deprive me of referrals earned from highly satisfied clients (has a track record of same behavior with other contractors). 

2.  Bailey, Serantoni (inexperienced beginner) and Altamirano wanted to drive me from a lucrative market so they could keep all the business for themselves. 

3. I was told by Interstate’s Riopelle, Serantoni, and Altamirano that I could not perform ‘side work,’ and that all my efforts should be for Interstate.  No license or liability insurance is required in Rapid City for minor carpentry or painting, and I am licensed for Lead Paint Renovation, so my activities as a 1099 were indeed legal and legitimate.  Interstate just wanted to make sure they profited off  ALL my activity.  

There was no SD AG complaint describing me or my firm personally (as Interstate alleged for an excuse to steal my commissions): Interstate months before had simply declined to pursue further collections, without informing me as a Independent Contractor involved in the transaction.  There were no “legal proceedings,” other than some, again, fabricated situations contrived by Interstate to prevent me from exercising any control over my business entity and to subject me to business requirements that blur the line between employee and contractor. And to ultimately deprive me of timely compensation for my efforts on all other jobs in that market.

Unfortunately, the only option a subcontractor has to recover from a Prime Contractor is to file a Machanics Lien on the property, 'locking" the property up until the issue is resolved between the contractors.  HERE IS WHERE A HOMEOWNER IS VICTIMIZED THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN--This can occur EVEN IF the bill was paid in full.  No kidding. 

Unfortunately, I had to file a "Notice of Intent to File a Lien" on the property above--in this case it is indeed the property owners fault, but there are a number of paid accounts in Rapid City Interstate is attempting to retain illegally, thus there may be more Mechanics/Construction Lien filings in Rapid City and Denver. 

Please note that their attorney parrots the same lines, and doesn’t seem to know the criteria of the Independent Contractor Agreement he defends. Expect the Rebuttal lies to start in this forum--I challenge anyone named to sue me if what I say is untrue.

Thank You,

Craig W***

I used Interstate Roofing (2000 S Osage St., Denver, CO 80223) in June.  They were excellent.  I did not experience any issues.  I highly recommend them to anyone who needs roof or gutter work.

My wife and I had an excellent experience with this compan and the people who represent them. They walked us through a stressful situation when our roof was destroyed and had great follow-up afterwards. Before using this type of nagative review to make a decision, consider other references. I would highly recommend this company to anyone who has issue with their roof.

I, as well as several neighbors, had a an excellent experience with this company. Any representative that I have encountered has been extremely professional and considerate. I find the negative review in regards to this company was vague and detail should be considered before reading a review that has includes an obvious tone of anger. If you are using this review to help make a decision in choosing this company to do roofing work, I would suggest at least reading reviews on several other consumer sites.

The address that you have in your report is a residential address. Please remove it. The correct address for Interstate Roofing can be obtained from the Colorado Secretary of State or from the internet. The correct address is 1050 W 47th Ave., Denver, CO 80211, but verify it yourself if you feel that is necessary. 

   The subcontractor, whom filed this report, did not do his job complying with Colorado codes. His job did not pass inspection and was poorly done. When hiring all subcortractors, we expect them to produce high quality work, that is up to code, and will pass inspection. The contractor, used only 5 nails per square when 6 nails are required; being only one of many examples of the job left undone. We did pay this subcontarctor, for his work done, then had to pay another subcontactor to go and re-do a job that should have been done correctly the first time.

   Interstate Roofing has been in business sence 1994. We are a member of the Better Business Bureau. We are Tom Martino's prefered roofing contractor. We are an Owens Corning Platinum Roofer, GAF/Elk Master Eliete Roofer, and Certainteed. We pride ourselves on constantly providing all of our community with only the highest quality products and services on all jobs we do.    

   Interstate roofing did not file a lien against this homeowner. Interstate Roofing, stands behind high quailty work, and a name that has a reputation for its professionalism and workmanship. Interstate Roofing, has not used this sub-contractor on another job sence!