Roofing has a low barrier to entry. A truck, a ladder and a website is enough to start taking deposits, which is why Edmonton sees a wave of unfamiliar company names every time a serious hailstorm rolls through.
You do not need to be an expert to hire well. You need to check four things and recognise a handful of warning signs.
1. Insurance and WCB coverage, in writing
Ask for proof of liability insurance and current WCB coverage, and actually look at the certificates. WCB status can be verified directly with the board.
This is not paperwork for its own sake. If someone is injured on your property and the contractor is not covered, that exposure can land on you.
2. A written, itemised scope
A real quote is specific. It names the shingle and underlayment, states whether it is a full tear-off, describes what happens to the vents and flashing, says who cleans up, and gives a price for replacing rotten decking if any turns up.
A number scrawled on the back of a card is not a quote. It is an opening position, and it leaves every expensive detail open to interpretation later.
3. A local track record you can check
Look for an Edmonton address, an Edmonton phone number, and work you can actually verify in the area. Ask what they did on a nearby street and whether you can see it.
Reviews are useful, but read them for detail rather than star count. Reviews that describe communication, cleanup and how a problem got handled tell you far more than a wall of five-word ratings.
4. Warranty terms you can read
There are two warranties on a roof: the manufacturer's on the shingle, and the contractor's on the workmanship. Ask about both, ask what would void either, and get the terms in writing.
A manufacturer warranty generally depends on the roof being installed to specification, so it is only as good as the installation underneath it.
Red flags worth walking away from
- Pressure to sign today, or a discount that expires this afternoon.
- A large cash deposit up front, especially before any materials are ordered.
- No written scope, or refusal to itemise the quote.
- Door-knocking straight after a hailstorm with no local history behind the name.
- Offering to cover or absorb your insurance deductible. That is not a favour, and in Alberta it puts your claim on very shaky ground.
- Vague answers about insurance, WCB, or who is actually doing the work.