Roofing is one of the most significant single-trade investments a homeowner makes. It's also a trade with no provincial licence requirement in Ontario — meaning the barrier to entry for contractors is low, and the range in quality is wide. In Renfrew County's rural market, where contractor options are fewer and word-of-mouth matters more, a methodical approach to hiring protects you from the most common pitfalls. Here's how to do it right.
Step 1 — Get 3 Written Quotes (Compare Scope, Not Just Price)
Collect at least three written quotes from contractors who have actually viewed your roof — not quotes based on square footage you provide over the phone. A proper quote requires seeing the roof: pitch and complexity, existing condition of shingles and decking, fascia and soffit condition, number of existing layers, ventilation setup, and chimney or penetration flashing.
When comparing quotes, look beyond the total price. Compare: the shingle brand and product line specified, how much ice and water shield is included, whether ventilation upgrades are addressed, what happens if damaged decking is found, and what the warranty terms are. A quote that's $2,000 cheaper may be proposing 3-tab shingles where another quote specifies architectural, or may exclude valley protection.
Step 2 — Verify WSIB Clearance
Roofing is a falls-from-height trade. It has one of the highest workplace injury rates in the construction sector. Before signing anything, go to wsib.ca and look up your contractor's WSIB clearance certificate by account number or business name. WSIB coverage protects you from personal liability if a worker is injured on your property without valid coverage.
Do not accept a verbal assurance that "we have WSIB." Get the account number and verify it yourself. A legitimate roofing contractor will hand you their WSIB number without hesitation and encourage you to check it. If they resist or deflect, that's a significant red flag.
Step 3 — Confirm the Contractor Will Pull the Building Permit
In most Renfrew County municipalities, a building permit is required for a complete roof replacement. The permit process triggers an inspection that confirms compliance with OBC requirements — ventilation ratio, ice and water shield placement, and decking condition are all typically reviewed.
The contractor should pull the permit, not you. When a contractor asks the homeowner to pull the permit (so the work is "owner-built"), it's usually to avoid inspection and sidestep liability. A properly licensed and insured roofing contractor will include the permit cost in their quote and handle the application. See our building permits guide for municipality-specific information.
Step 4 — Ask Specifically About Ice and Water Shield
Given Renfrew County's winter snowfall and ice dam history, ice and water shield coverage is one of the most important specifications to nail down. The OBC minimum is 900 mm from the interior wall line at all eaves. Many experienced local contractors exceed this — covering the full eave overhang, all valleys, and areas around penetrations.
Ask each contractor the same specific question: "How many linear feet of ice and water shield will you install, and exactly where?" Compare the answers. A contractor who installs only the minimum code coverage on a steep roof with complex valleys is setting up a future ice dam problem. The price difference between minimum and extended coverage is often $300–$600 — a small fraction of the project cost relative to the risk managed.
Step 5 — Get Material Specifications in Writing
Your written contract should specify: the shingle manufacturer, the product line name, the shingle weight or grade, the colour, and the warranty tier. Architectural shingles vary considerably by brand and grade — a Landmark Pro from CertainTeed and a budget architectural shingle from a lesser brand have meaningfully different performance profiles. If a contractor's quote says only "architectural shingles," ask for the brand and product name in writing before signing.
Step 6 — Understand Both Warranties
Roofing comes with two distinct warranty types, and understanding both is essential:
- Manufacturer's product warranty: Typically 30–50 years on architectural shingles, covering defects in the shingle material itself. Some premium product lines offer "lifetime" limited warranties. The warranty is tied to proper installation — if the shingles aren't installed per the manufacturer's installation guide (correct nailing, starter strip, underlayment), the warranty may be void even if a product defect occurs.
- Contractor's workmanship warranty: Typically 2–10 years, covering errors made during installation — improper flashing, insufficient ice and water shield, incorrect nailing patterns, or poor valley work. This warranty is the more critical one in the first decade of a new roof. A contractor offering only a 1-year workmanship warranty on a 30-year shingle job is providing very limited protection during the period when installation errors are most likely to manifest.
Get both warranties in writing before the project starts.
Step 7 — Confirm Disposal Is Included
A full tear-off on a typical Renfrew County residential roof generates several thousand pounds of waste — old shingles, felt paper, damaged decking, and packaging. Disposal requires either a contractor-provided bin or truck removal and dumping. Confirm explicitly that disposal of all materials is included in the quoted price. Contracts that are ambiguous on this point can lead to disputes over unexpected bin rental or hauling charges after the project is complete.
Red Flags That Should End a Conversation
- Cash-only payment required — legitimate contractors accept cheques and e-transfers and provide receipts. Cash-only work is typically uninsured and unpermitted.
- Won't pull the building permit — see Step 3. This is a hard rule in most Renfrew County municipalities for full replacements.
- "We can start tomorrow" pressure — storm chasers and fly-by-night contractors use urgency to prevent you from getting competitive quotes. Legitimate local contractors are typically booked weeks out.
- No WSIB clearance or refusal to provide account number — non-negotiable. End the conversation.
- No written contract — any contractor unwilling to provide a written scope, materials list, timeline, and warranty in writing before taking a deposit is not operating professionally.
For general contractor hiring principles that apply across all trades, see our guide to hiring a contractor in Ontario.