A choice that goes beyond price
A roof is one of the most expensive residential investments to redo, and one of the hardest to judge once the work is finished — sloppy work underneath the shingles only shows years later, when a leak appears. Choosing a contractor on lowest price alone is the most common way to end up with exactly that kind of surprise.
6 criteria for choosing a reliable roofer
- •A valid RBQ licence — the legal baseline for carrying out construction work in Quebec.
- •Civil liability insurance — protects your property if something is damaged during the work.
- •A detailed written quote — not a rough verbal estimate.
- •A written workmanship warranty, separate from the manufacturer's warranty on the materials.
- •Verifiable reviews and reputation — not only the testimonials displayed on the contractor's own site.
- •Several quotes compared — a price markedly lower than the rest deserves a question, not just enthusiasm.
How to verify a contractor's RBQ licence
The Régie du bâtiment du Québec maintains a public register of licence holders, searchable online by company name or licence number. A serious contractor will never hesitate to give you their licence number — checking it takes a few minutes and removes a large share of the risk.
The register also shows which categories of work the licence covers. A roofer qualified for standard residential replacement does not automatically hold the qualification required for a commercial project or a more complex structure — worth confirming for an unusual project.
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Why a verbal quote is never enough
An estimate given without a technical visit, often over the phone, simply cannot account for the real surface area, the slope, or the condition of the deck under the old covering. A serious written quote spells out the materials used, the exact scope of work, the fixed price and the warranty conditions — all things that protect both parties if a disagreement comes up later.
Be wary of door-to-door canvassing after a storm
After high winds or hail, it is not unusual for travelling contractors to knock on doors offering a "free inspection" followed by pressure to sign on the spot. A legitimate roofer will always leave you time to think, check their references and compare other quotes — pressure to sign immediately is a classic warning sign.
Another signal to watch for: a request for payment in full before work begins. A reasonable deposit is normal, but a serious contractor generally structures payments around the progress of the job rather than demanding the whole amount up front.
Questions to ask before signing
- •What is your RBQ licence number, and how long has the company been active?
- •Can I see current proof of civil liability insurance?
- •What exactly does your workmanship warranty cover, and for how long?
- •Does the quoted price include a full tear-off and debris removal?
- •What happens if something unforeseen is found once work has started?