Choosing your right roofer is an important decision. According to the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, home renovation complaints are among the top ones in Ontario. In fact, 21% of home renovation related complaints are about roofers.  

There are so many companies out there; however, how to separate the reliable ones from the rest? 

To help your decision, we came up with ten key topics you should pay attention when choosing your roofer:

The time the roofing company has been in business

A good reputation is the essence of a reliable roofing company. Word-of-mouth is key in the roofing business, and only satisfied customers can provide that. The right roofing contractor will make sure to deliver the best quality work to protect their reputation to remain in business.

The roofing contractor has a permanent location.

To illustrate the importance of this matter, imagine you hire a roofing company to do roof installation. They say that a warranty covers their workmanship and you feel comfortable with it. After a while, you notice that you have a leak on your roof, and you decide to call the company that did your roof. But you can’t find them. The phone number is not working — no contact information on Google. No website. Nothing. Have you heard the term fly-by-night? It’s given to non-reliable businesses, and it’s not unusual for a roofing company to operate without a fixed address. Those companies are not traceable and can disappear at any time.

Does your roofer have insurance and a valid license?

If a company is offering a price too low for the market, you should investigate why. Unlicensed companies usually offer a lower price. The same companies are often uninsured. In case you hire an unlicensed roofer, and the installation is not done correctly, you may have to redo the roof with a roofer with a license. Consequently, instead of saving money, you will end up spending more. 

Also, hiring an insured contractor means that you’ll have protection against any damage to your property or third party injury.

The roofer has industry knowledge and the communication is clear.

A new roofing project raises a lot of concerns. If the roofer gets uncomfortable with questions or when answering them, they don’t seem to know much about the job or technical details, it is a huge red flag, and you should walk away. Clear communication is essential from the beginning to the end of your project.

The roofing company offers you references.

Ask for references from past customers or contractors that the roofer has worked with. Does the roofer have a list of previous work? Can you verify their workmanship? Your roof is an important part of your home’s system. Make sure to hire someone that is trustworthy and has experience.