How to choose a roofer.

Read this even if you never call us. Roofing attracts the worst contractors of any trade because the product is invisible from the ground and the customer only finds out in year three.

Six questions that sort them fast.

"Can I see your WCB clearance letter and liability certificate?" Real companies produce both same-day. If a worker gets hurt uninsured on your property, you are in the chain of liability.
"Who actually does the work?" Employees or long-term crews is fine; whoever answers the phone with "we have guys" is not.
"What exact product, what tier?" A quote saying "30-year architectural shingle" is hiding something. Brand and series name should be printed on it.
"What's your workmanship warranty, in writing?" Material warranties come from the factory. The installer's own labour coverage is what protects you from installation mistakes, and it must be on paper.
"Is the price fixed?" Decking allowances and per-sheet add-ons transfer all surprise risk to you. Fixed-price means the roofer carries it.
"Where can I see your recent work?" Addresses or neighbourhoods from this year, not a highlight reel from 2019.

RR Roofing crew at work on a residential shingle roof

Walk away when you hear these.

"Sign today for this price"

Manufactured urgency is the storm-chaser signature. A roof priced honestly today is priced honestly next week.

"We have left-over material"

No professional roofs your house with someone else's leftovers. Colour match and warranty registration both die here.

Cash-only or full payment upfront

Deposits are normal in BC; demands for most of the money before material arrives are not. Progress payments tied to milestones protect both sides.

No written contract

A text message and an e-transfer is not a roofing contract. Scope, product, schedule, price, warranty and cleanup terms belong in one document.

Door-knocking after storms

Legitimate local roofers are booked by referral and inspection requests. The truck that follows hail is hunting insurance jobs, not relationships.

Vague about permits and disposal

Tear-off waste, dump fees and municipal requirements should already be inside the quoted price, not discovered as extras later.

What a proper roofing contract includes.

Exact product names and colours, underlayment type, ventilation plan
Fixed total price, deposit amount and progress schedule
Start window and estimated duration in working days
Decking replacement rate stated per sheet (even in fixed quotes, the unit rate belongs on paper)
Workmanship warranty term and what triggers it
Daily cleanup, magnet sweep for nails, disposal included
Proof of insurance and WCB attached or referenced by policy number

Should I get multiple quotes?

Two to three, compared line by line rather than bottom-line by bottom-line. One quote tells you nothing about market pricing; five wastes weeks while a leaking roof waits.

Does being licensed matter if they're insured?

Yes, both. Business licensing and WorkSafe BC coverage answer different questions. Ask for the WCB clearance letter specifically; it proves the account is active on the day work starts.

Are the big franchise companies better?

Not automatically. You are buying the crew assigned to your roof, not the brand on the van. A strong independent with named crews often beats a franchise's subcontracted rotation.

How much deposit is normal in BC?

Material costs up front are reasonable, commonly 10 to 30 percent depending on project size, with the balance at completion. Anything demanding 50 percent-plus before mobilization deserves hard questions.

What if something goes wrong during the job?

It happens: rotten decking found, weather delays. What matters is whether the contract states how changes get approved and priced in writing before proceeding. That clause separates professionals from improvisers.

Hold any roofer to this list. Including us.

A real conversation with a local roofer. No pressure and no obligation, just honest advice about your roof.

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