5 Tips for Choosing the Right Roofing Company

When investing in your home improvements, you can’t afford to choose unreliable contractors. If it’s time for a new roof replacement or repair, follow our expert guide to finding and picking the right team the first time. 

Your roof is so much more than a few layers of shingles—it safeguards your home (and everyone inside it) from what Mother Nature throws at it daily. In Ontario, we’re even more familiar with the effects of extreme weather on our home.

That’s why you can’t simply find the cheapest option and take the leap when you need a new roof or a roof repair. Roofing is a relatively big investment, and poor-quality work will only cost you even more in the long run. 

How do I find a good roofer in my area?

At Sameday Roofing, our expert roofers know the questions to ask a roofer before hiring and other considerations to find the right match and avoid fly-by-night contractors, shoddy workmanship, and inflated prices or deflated value. 

Read on and arm yourself with the knowledge you need to find a reliable, skilled roofer for your next big roofing project. 

5 Tips For Hiring a Roofing Contractor

#1: Look For Deep Local Connections

Why is it important to hire a local roofing company?

When you choose a local roofing company, you’re doing so much more than investing back into your own community. You’re also getting someone with local and Ontario building code expertise and a strong understanding of local weather conditions and roofing standards. 

Roofers with an established local reputation give you the opportunity to vet that credibility before you buy. If they’ve done great work for your friends and neighbours, there’s a great chance they’ll do the same for you. They also have the power of proximity on their side—they can usually respond faster in roofing emergencies and more efficiently schedule projects.

#2: Check for Licensing, Insurance, and WSIB Coverage

There are no roofing laws in Ontario requiring licenses, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t legalities and regulations to consider. You absolutely must choose a roofing contractor registered with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, which means they’re following the basic safety standards required of a workplace. 

You must also find a business that uses liability insurance to cover any injury costs that happen on-site while your roof is being replaced. Minimally, your contractor should openly discuss these topics and answer any questions you have to ensure they’re maintaining compliance and protection. 

#3: Find Experience and Specialization

While a new roofing company isn’t necessarily bad, a long history of good work builds a strong, experienced team that is more likely to assess roofing situations and set you up with the best solution possible. 

How can you tell a good roofer?

If you’re looking for special roofing, like metal roofing, cedar shakes, or shingles, finding teams that have spent years perfecting those applications is likely to get you the best results possible. 

At Sameday, for example, we’ve spent decades installing asphalt shingle roofs for residential and commercial roofing. Any team’s bread-and-butter services are likely to be their very best quality!

#4: Ask for Transparent Cost Estimates

It’s a worst-case scenario we see all too often in the industry—homeowners get their new roofs and then get slapped with a bill much higher than the original estimate. This should never happen because a solid roofing company will give it to you straight from the start. 

A transparent, thorough estimate should contain all material costs, labour costs, timelines, warranty details, and a clear payment schedule. 

Hidden costs and tack-on fees are a red flag for roofers to avoid—if you can’t get clear answers, run for the hills. 

#5: Look For Solid Workmanship Warranties

Many roofers offer warranties to protect the significant investment you’ve just made and guarantee that their work will last—or the repairs will be covered. Most warranties cover 2 - 10 years of damage, except that caused by heavy snowfall, hail or lightning.

Look for coverage and a warranty length that suits your needs and gives you peace of mind that you’ll get at least a few decades from your new roof. Keep in mind that most warranties also require you to perform regular roof maintenance; otherwise, you may void your contract and lose your coverage. 

Roofing Company FAQs

How do you interview a roofer?

You’re hiring a specialist for a job that comes with a relatively high price tag—don’t be afraid to ask the questions you need! 

Here are a few key questions to get started:

• "Can I see proof of your insurance and WSIB coverage?" This is your #1 non-negotiable.
• "What experience do you have with [the type of roofing you want]?" Look for a roofer with relevant expertise.
• "Can you provide some references from recent projects?" Hearing from other homeowners is invaluable.
• "What is your warranty, and what does it cover?" Understand your long-term protection.
• "Can you walk me through your installation process?" This helps you understand their approach.
• "What happens if unexpected problems arise during the project?" A good roofer will have a plan for contingencies.
  

Listen to how they answer as much as their answers themselves. If they’re clear, friendly, and open to answering questions, that’s a green flag. If they don’t seem interested in investing their time in your conversation and making you comfortable, they’re not likely to operate like a professional roofing company. 

How do I prepare for roofing work?

Once you pick a great roofing contractor, it’s time to get started on your project. Clear the areas around your home’s perimeter and roof, cover valuable items in your yard, trim back trees or shrubs impeding on the roof, and prepare your family and neighbours for the disruption. 

Are roofers licensed in Ontario?

An independent roofing company doesn’t require specific licensing in Ontario, but they must be registered with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and meet all safety standards required of them. You can verify a roofer’s WSIB registration by asking for their WSIB number and cross-referencing it to the official WSIB website. 

SameDay Roofing: Roofing Contractors Near Me

Follow this guide on what to look for when hiring a roofing company, and don’t be afraid to shop around until you find the right fit. If something feels off with any roofing company you interview, don’t ignore that feeling—trust your instinct and find a company with the best roofing company reviews that works hard to make you feel comfortable. 

Looking for a new roof? Our roofers in Hamilton, Ontario, are ready to chat and get started on a free roof estimate - call (905) 902-7663 today.