If you’re considering hiring a roofing contractor, there are things you need to know in order to protect yourself. In Ontario, many of the complaints from consumers have something to do with home renovations with a sizeable chunk having to do with roofers.

You do not want to end up having a problem with the roofers in addition to the roofing problem as well. Things like poor workmanship, legal issues and scams can really set you back. Here are some tips to follow so that you can avoid the pitfalls when hiring a roofing contractor.

1. Do Your Research First

Though the government does not license roofing contractors, you can still find reliable and trustworthy roofing contractors. One way is to ask family and friends for recommendations. Try to stay local as well, so don’t call someone from a different city. This way, it may be easier to check their references.

You can also check the Consumer Beware List to see if there are any charges or complaints against a company or individual. You can check the Better Business Bureau as well.

2. Ask For A Quote

Try to get a quote from about three different companies or contractors. Make sure that this estimate contains the cost of both labour and materials and make sure it’s itemized. It should also contain what work will be done and it must be described in a clear and complete way so as not to leave any room for doubt. It’s good to have at least three different quotes for comparison after which you can make up your mind.

3. References

This is a very important step. Make sure to ask for references, but more importantly, make sure to contact them. Again, a good number to go with is three (references). They would have hired this particular contractor (make sure to confirm this) so you should be able to get an unbiased opinion.

Here’s a little extra tip. When asking for references, ask for a current project, a recently finished project and a past project. This way, you cover all bases and it’s a good way to catch a problem, should one exist. If they refuse to offer references, don’t hire them.

4. Safety

Find out if the workers are trained in safety and if they wear protective equipment in case of a fall. The contractor must be able to confirm this, if not, move on. Workers who work at heights must have a card to state that they’ve been trained to work at heights. They must also be trained in safety hazards.

5. The Contract

Make sure to have a written contract to protect yourself. This contract must include the contractor’s full details, a thorough description of the work to be done as well as the materials that will be used, a written estimate and an itemized list of labour and materials and its cost, a detailed work schedule, the total cost and the terms of payment, how your garden and landscaping will be protected and the responsibility of the cleanup. Make sure to get the warranties as well.

Be careful of the scammers out there. They may say things like the roof is damaged and needs to be repaired. Ask them for photographic proof. Never pay a large down payment for materials. 10% is okay. Don’t pay the contract until all work is done. Never accept tax-free deals, since you need a receipt as proof of payment. If you pay cash, get a detailed receipt. This way, you protect yourself.