Before hiring a roofer, ask for their RBQ licence number, proof of liability insurance, a detailed written quote, what warranty covers labour and materials, who handles permits, how long the job will take, and how payments are scheduled. Then verify the licence on the RBQ website and check the company's record with the Office de la protection du consommateur.
A new roof is one of the biggest cheques most Montreal homeowners will ever write for their house, and it usually happens only once or twice in a lifetime. That means most people have no idea what to ask when the first roofer shows up with a clipboard. The good news is that a handful of well-chosen questions will tell you almost everything you need to know about a contractor.
Here is the list we would hand to a friend or neighbour, along with the answers you should expect to hear.
Questions to ask before hiring a roofer: start with the licence
The first question is simple: what is your RBQ licence number? In Quebec, anyone doing roofing work for you must hold a licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ), with the right subclass for roofing. A serious contractor will give you the number without hesitation, and it should appear on the quote and the contract.
Don’t stop at hearing the number. Look it up yourself with the RBQ online licence search. You want to confirm that:
- the licence is valid and not suspended;
- the company name matches the one on the quote;
- the subclasses cover the roofing work being done.
RBQ licence holders must also provide a security bond, which may compensate clients in some situations. It is not a blanket guarantee, but it is one more layer of protection you lose completely if you hire someone unlicensed.
Are you insured, and can I see the certificate?
Roofing is risky work. Ask for proof of civil liability insurance in writing, ideally a certificate you can read with your own eyes, not just a verbal yes. If a worker drops a bundle of shingles through your neighbour’s windshield or water gets into your home during the tear-off, this is the policy that should respond.
Also ask whether their workers are covered by the CNESST. Roofing is a CCQ-regulated construction trade, so crews on your roof should be properly registered and covered. If someone gets hurt on a job with an off-the-books crew, things can get messy for everyone involved.
What exactly is included in your quote?
A one-line quote that says “new roof – price” is a red flag. Ask the roofer to walk you through every item. A good written estimate should spell out:
- removal of the old roofing and disposal (container included or not);
- how damaged plywood or decking will be handled and priced;
- the brand and model of shingles or membrane;
- underlayment, ice and water membrane, flashing and ventilation;
- clean-up, including magnet sweeping for nails;
- taxes, shown separately.
Say you own a duplex in Rosemont and you get three quotes that look wildly different. Nine times out of ten, the gap comes from what each contractor included or left out, not from one being a thief. Asking the same detailed questions to each one is what lets you compare apples to apples. Honestly, getting and comparing quotes from several licensed contractors is the best protection you have as a homeowner.
Ask about price ranges, but keep them in context
For an asphalt shingle replacement on a typical house in Quebec, many homeowners pay roughly $8,000 to $20,000 before taxes, often around $6 to $12 per sq ft installed. The final number varies with size, slope, access and the condition of what is underneath. GST (5%) and QST (9.975%) are usually added on top, for 14.975% in total.
What warranty do you offer?
There are two separate warranties to ask about:
- The manufacturer’s warranty on materials, which may depend on the roofer following the installation instructions.
- The contractor’s warranty on workmanship, which covers mistakes in the installation itself.
Ask how many years the workmanship warranty lasts, what it covers, and how you file a claim. Get it in writing. Keep in mind that, beyond any written warranty, the Civil Code of Québec makes the contractor liable for five years for loss of the work due to construction defects.
Who handles the permit, and what is the timeline?
Permit rules are set by each municipality or borough, and they are not the same in Plateau-Mont-Royal, Laval or Longueuil. Ask the roofer whether a permit is needed for your job and who will get it. Many contractors handle it, but you should know for sure.
Then ask about timing:
- When can you start, realistically?
- How many days will the job take on my roof?
- What happens if it rains halfway through the tear-off?
- Who is the foreman on site, and how do I reach them?
A roofer who has a clear plan for weather delays is a roofer who has done this many times.
How do payments work?
Ask about the deposit and the payment schedule before anything is signed. A reasonable deposit to secure materials is normal. Paying the full amount up front is not. Ideally, the final payment is due once the work is completed and you have inspected it.
Also ask how changes are handled. If the crew finds rotten plywood once the old shingles are off, how will they tell you, and how is that extra priced? You want a per-unit price written into the contract so there are no surprises.
Can you show me references and recent work?
Ask for a few addresses or contacts from jobs completed in the last year or two, ideally nearby. A quick drive-by in Villeray or on the South Shore tells you a lot about how their roofs look once the crew has left. You can also check the company’s record with the Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC) to see if there have been formal complaints or legal proceedings.
Red flags to watch for
| What you hear | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| “We don’t need a licence for this.” | Roofing work for clients requires an RBQ licence. |
| “Cash only, no invoice.” | No paper trail, no warranty, no recourse. |
| “Sign today for this price.” | Pressure tactics usually hide a bad deal. |
| “Full payment before we start.” | You lose all leverage if the job goes wrong. |
| Vague one-line quote | Impossible to compare, easy to inflate later. |
Bottom line
The right questions before hiring a roofer protect your house and your wallet: licence, insurance, a detailed written quote, warranty, permit, timeline and payment terms. Verify what you are told on the RBQ and OPC websites, and don’t let anyone rush you into signing. Rules vary by municipality and every roof is different, so insist on written, detailed quotes and compare them carefully before you choose.
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Request my quotes →Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a roofer's RBQ licence is valid?
Use the RBQ online licence search with the licence number or company name. Confirm the licence is active, the name matches your quote, and the subclasses cover roofing work.
How much deposit should I give a roofer?
A reasonable deposit to order materials is common, but avoid paying the full amount before work starts. Tie the final payment to completion and your inspection of the job.
Do I need a permit to redo my roof in Montreal?
It depends on your borough or municipality, since each sets its own permit rules. Ask your roofer to confirm and to state in the contract who is responsible for getting it.
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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.