Your Right to Choose a Restoration Contractor in Colorado
When a home is damaged by water, fire, or another covered loss, most homeowners are already dealing with stress, uncertainty, and urgency. In those moments, many people don’t realize something important:
You have the legal right to choose your own restoration contractor.
Where this right comes from
In 2007, Colorado passed House Bill 07-1104, commonly referred to as the Freedom of Choice legislation. The purpose of the bill was straightforward: to protect homeowners from being steered or pressured by insurance companies into using specific contractors.
That bill is now codified as:
Colorado Revised Statutes § 10-4-110.8
This statute affirms that homeowners retain control over who performs restoration work on their property.
What the law means in plain language
Here’s what Freedom of Choice actually looks like for homeowners:
- You are not required to use a contractor recommended by your insurance company
- An insurance company cannot interfere with your choice of contractor
- You may select a contractor based on trust, experience, qualifications, or prior relationship
- Your contractor works for you, not the insurance company
Insurance may pay for the loss, but they do not get to choose who restores your home.
Why this matters during restoration work
Restoration is rarely as simple as drying what you can see.
Water migrates. Materials trap moisture. Damage often travels to inconvenient places behind walls, under floors, and into structural assemblies. Proper restoration sometimes requires deeper inspection, verification, and yes, occasionally more intrusion than what feels comfortable in the moment.
Freedom of Choice exists so homeowners can work with professionals who prioritize doing it right, not just doing it fast or cheap.
Insurance recommendations vs homeowner rights
Insurance companies may recommend vendors. That’s allowed.
What’s not allowed is:
- Pressure
- Misrepresentation
- Suggesting you must use a preferred contractor
- Interfering with your chosen contractor’s ability to perform appropriate work
The final decision always belongs to the homeowner.
The bottom line
You don’t need permission to choose the right contractor.
Colorado law already gives you that right.
Understanding this before a loss happens can make a meaningful difference when it matters most.
Legal reference
Colorado Revised Statutes § 10-4-110.8
(Originally enacted through House Bill 07-1104)
How SteamMaster helps
At SteamMaster, we believe informed homeowners make better decisions. Our role is to inspect thoroughly, explain clearly, and restore responsibly — whether the work is simple or complex.
If you have questions about a current or past loss, or want to understand your options before something happens, we’re always happy to talk.
SteamMaster Restoration & Cleaning
📞 970.827.5555
✉️ info@steammaster.com
🌐 https://www.steammaster.com
