To hire a roofer in Montreal, confirm the company holds a valid RBQ licence with the right subclass, get at least three detailed written quotes, check its record with the Office de la protection du consommateur, ask for proof of insurance, and sign a clear contract listing materials, price before taxes, schedule and warranty. Never pay most of the job upfront.
Your roof is one of the biggest single expenses you will face as a homeowner, and you usually only buy one every twenty years or so. That means most people go into it with no practice. Say you own a duplex in Rosemont and the shingles on the back slope are curling: you call a couple of numbers, someone shows up, gives you a price on a scrap of paper, and wants a deposit by Friday. That is exactly the situation you want to avoid.
Hiring a roofer well mostly comes down to a handful of checks, done before you sign anything.
How to hire a roofer: start with the RBQ licence
In Quebec, anyone who does roofing work for you as a contractor must hold a licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). It is not optional, and it is not just paperwork. The licence shows the company has met requirements for administration, safety and technical knowledge, and it comes with a security bond that may compensate clients in some situations.
Here is what to do:
- Ask for the RBQ licence number. A serious roofer will have it on the quote, the truck and the website.
- Look it up yourself in the RBQ online licence search. Confirm the name matches the company you are dealing with.
- Check that the licence is active and includes the subclass that covers roofing work, not just general renovation.
- Note any restrictions shown on the licence.
If someone hesitates to give you a licence number, or gives you someone else’s, you have your answer.
Check reputation and complaint history
A valid licence is the floor, not the ceiling. The Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC) lets you check a merchant’s record, including formal notices and certain legal proceedings.
Beyond that, ask the roofer for recent addresses of jobs in your area. A company that has done a dozen flat roofs in Villeray or shingle roofs in Ahuntsic should be happy to tell you about them.
Ask about insurance and workers
Roofing is a CCQ-regulated trade in construction, and workers are covered by CNESST. Ask the contractor to confirm their liability insurance in writing. If a worker damages your neighbour’s car or a ladder goes through a window, you want the contractor’s insurer handling it, not yours.
Get several detailed written quotes
Comparing quotes from several licensed contractors is the best protection you have, both on price and on scope. One quote tells you almost nothing. Three or four side by side show you what is normal and what is not.
A good quote should be written and itemized. It should include:
- The exact scope: tear-off or overlay, number of layers removed, deck repairs and how they are priced
- Materials by brand and product line, including underlayment, ice and water membrane, vents and flashing
- Disposal of old materials and site cleanup
- Price before taxes, with GST and QST shown separately
- Estimated start date and duration
- Workmanship warranty and how long it lasts
For reference, asphalt shingle replacement on a typical house in Quebec often runs roughly $6 to $12 per sq ft installed, and many homeowners pay roughly $8,000 to $20,000 before taxes. That varies with size, slope, access and condition, so a quote far outside the pack deserves a question, whether it is much higher or much lower.
Compare quotes the right way
The cheapest quote is not always the best deal, and the most expensive is not always the best work. Line them up and compare the same things.
| What to compare | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Tear-off vs overlay | An overlay costs less now but can hide problems and shorten the life of the new roof. |
| Deck repair pricing | Rotten plywood is common on older Montreal homes. A per-sheet price avoids surprises. |
| Ventilation | Poor attic ventilation causes ice dams and shortens shingle life. |
| Warranty | Manufacturer warranty covers materials; workmanship warranty covers the installation. |
| Payment schedule | A reasonable deposit is normal. Most of the payment should come at completion. |
Read the contract before you sign
Once you pick a roofer, get everything in a written contract. Verbal promises disappear when there is a disagreement. The contract should repeat what was in the quote and add the payment terms, who gets the permit, and what happens if they find more damage than expected.
Permits are set by each municipality and, in Montreal, by each borough. Some jobs need one, some do not. Ask the roofer who handles it and make sure it is written down.
Know your cancellation rights
If you sign a contract at home with an itinerant merchant, for example someone who knocked on your door after a windstorm, the Consumer Protection Act generally lets you cancel within 10 days. Keep that in mind if you feel rushed.
Red flags to watch for
Watch for these warning signs:
- Door-to-door offers right after a storm, with pressure to sign today
- No RBQ licence number, or a number that does not match the company name
- Requests for a large cash deposit or payment in full before work starts
- A quote with a single total and no details
- Offers to skip the taxes if you pay cash
That last one is especially risky. Without an invoice, you have no warranty, no proof of the work for your insurer, and very little recourse if something goes wrong.
During and after the job
Stay reachable on the first day, when the old roof comes off and any deck problems show up. Ask for photos of hidden damage before extra work is approved. When the job is done, walk around the house and get a final invoice that matches the contract.
Keep the contract, invoices and warranty documents together. Under the Civil Code of Québec, the contractor is liable for 5 years for loss of the work due to construction defects, and you will need that paperwork if a problem appears. Never climb on the roof yourself to inspect it, especially when it is wet, icy or steep. Look from the ground or ask the roofer to send photos.
Bottom line
Knowing how to hire a roofer comes down to a few steady habits: verify the RBQ licence, check the OPC record, collect several detailed written quotes, and sign a clear contract before any real money changes hands. Rules vary by borough, municipality and insurer, so confirm permits and coverage for your own address. Take your time, ask questions, and choose the roofer who explains things clearly, not the one who rushes you.
Get up to 4 free roofing quotes
One short request, licensed contractors from Montreal and surrounding areas contact you. Free and without obligation.
Request my quotes →Frequently asked questions
How many roofing quotes should I get in Montreal?
Three to four written quotes is a good target. It gives you enough to spot a price or scope that is out of line without dragging the process out.
How much deposit should a roofer ask for?
A modest deposit to order materials is normal, but you should not pay most of the job before work starts. Tie the bulk of the payment to completion and put the schedule in the contract.
Do I need a permit to redo my roof in Montreal?
It depends on your borough and the type of work. Call your borough or ask the roofer to confirm, and write down who is responsible for getting the permit.
Read also
You may also search for:How Many Roof Repair Estimates Should I Get?How to Find Local Roofers Near You in MontrealCan I Hire a Roofing Subcontractor Directly Instead of a Company?Roofing Quotes in Montreal
Estimations.pro is a referral service and does not perform the work. Prices are indicative only and vary with the size, slope, access and condition of your roof. Requirements (RBQ licence, municipal permits, programs) can change: check with the relevant organizations and get detailed written quotes.