Before You Call

Build a Comparable Bid Package Before You Build a Shortlist

The first mistake is inviting roofers to price a moving target. If every contractor hears a different version of the problem, the quotes will never line up.

Start with the job facts. Note the approximate age of your roof, the material currently in place, any leak history, and whether you have had previous patch repairs. Take ground-level photos of each roof plane and any interior water damage. You are not diagnosing the roof. You are making sure every roofer starts with the same information.

Next, decide what you want quoted — but leave room for professional judgment. Do not ask one company for a repair price and another for a full replacement and then treat those numbers as competitors. Tell each roofer you want them to recommend the right path — repair, overlay, or full tear-off — and explain why. That keeps the inspection honest while forcing the contractor to declare what job they are actually pricing. If you are unfamiliar with the differences between shingle types and product tiers that will appear in these quotes, our guide to asphalt shingles in Canada covers what you need to know.

If you are unsure whether your roof needs repair or replacement at all, a professional roof inspection can clarify the scope before you start collecting quotes.

Verify Credentials — But Know What Is Actually Required

Here is where many homeowner guides get it wrong. They tell you to "check the contractor's licence." In Ontario, roofing is classified as a non-compulsory trade. A roofer does not need a Certificate of Qualification to operate legally. They can hold one voluntarily — and that signals training — but its absence does not mean the contractor is unqualified.

What you should verify instead is more fundamental.

Start with workers' compensation coverage. In Ontario, a WSIB clearance certificate confirms a contractor is registered, in good standing, and current on premium payments. It is typically valid for up to 90 days, so check the date. The clearance protects you directly: without it, you could be held liable for the contractor's unpaid premiums if a worker is injured on your property. You can verify a contractor's status online through WSIB's eClearance system rather than relying on a paper copy they hand you.

In British Columbia, the equivalent is a WorkSafeBC clearance letter. WorkSafeBC's homeowner guidance states that homeowners who hire contractors without confirming coverage can be held jointly liable for unpaid premiums. Every province has a workers' compensation authority. Check yours before signing anything.

Beyond workers' compensation, ask for proof of commercial general liability insurance. It is not legally mandated in Canada, but it is a de facto industry standard for roofing contractors. A contractor who cannot provide a certificate of insurance is telling you something important about how they run their business.

Finally, confirm a registered business name, a verifiable physical address, and a GST/HST number. Ask for references from recent local clients. Ask your neighbours — local reputation is harder to fabricate than an online review.