When it's time to have your roof repaired or replaced, it is important to select a qualified, dependable and professional roofing company to ensure the most important structure of your house is in good hands. With the abundant number of roofing companies available, each claiming to be the best at the trade, how do you sift through the list to find the best roofing contractor in the GTA?

According to the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, the top consumer complaints in Ontario are linked to home renovations with a substantial percentage related to roof repairs & replacements.  Since roofing is an unregulated industry in Ontario, there are many individuals and companies who take advantage of this by offering services they are not qualified or have the required knowledge to execute, with the intention of making quick money and disappearing well before you can find them for the warranty they promised.

By using the guidelines below, it will help you distinguish between the professional roofing contractors and those who are or should be on the Consumer Beware List.

Reviews & Testimonials

With all the resources at your fingertips, it’s easy to check for honest reviews and testimonials online from previous customers through Homestar, Google or Facebook. Businesses that do not have reviews or have lower than average rating is a telltale sign of something not right.

Better Business Bureau Rating

Better Business Bureau (BBB) provides unbiased rating of organizations so consumers can select the most trusted resources for their needs. Businesses who has a less than stellar BBB rating should be reconsidered.

Choose local contractors with a physical office location

In today’s technology driven world, most businesses do not have physical locations but rather, just a website, email and phone number.  Though these are usually enough for most businesses, having an office to visit is usually a sign of a stable company and one who won’t be disappearing after a season, rendering the promised warranty useless.

Full time staff vs subcontractors

Since subcontractors are usually paid on a per job basis, it is in their best interest to complete each job as quick as possible, often compromising on the quality of work.  Companies who staffs their own full time roofing professionals are able to quality control the workmanship, taking as much time required to install/repair roofs properly and to code.

Estimates & Contracts 

Companies who do not provide estimates/contracts is a sign they do not plan to deliver all that they promised when selling you their services.  Detailed contracts/estimates is a standard practice for reputable roofing companies, thoroughly listing all items that will be included as well as the warranty covered for the project.

Years in Business

Inquire about the number of years the company has been in business operating under the same business name.  A well-established company who has been around for a min of 10 years will most likely still be in business for many more years should future problems arise.  This is especially important for warranty claims.

Certifications/manufacturer designations

Designations and certifications accredited by manufacturers are a sign of knowledgeable roofers.  Most certifications require contractors to go through stringent training and tests. If passed, the certification acknowledges that the roofing company has met the manufacturers set of standards.

Safety Measures & Insurance

When sourcing for a roofing company, make sure the company uses proper safety measures and fall protection equipment.  In addition, the company should be registered with Work Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) and have up-to-date liability insurance.

Knowledge of different materials

It is imperative for the roofing contractor to be knowledgeable on various roofing materials.  This allows them to give the most informative and professional opinion on which materials are the best for each type of roof.

Emergency Service Offering

Roofing companies who provide emergency services are usually quick on identifying roofing problems and are generally well equipped for repairing existing and preventing future problems.

Quotes

When going through roofing estimates and any estimates really, watch out for quotes that are very low.  Do not base your decision on price alone as bids that are significantly lower is a sign that something is not right.  Reputable roofing companies who has valid insurance, up-to-date training, overhead (for office & full time staff) will submit bids higher than those who work out of pick-up trucks, are uninsured and unqualified.  Those who choose the lowest bid ultimately find themselves spending more money in the long run fixing problems that could have been avoided or covered under warranty by reputable/established roofing companies.

The roof is a vital part of a house and should be taken care of by reputable, professional roofing companies.  Choosing the wrong contractor may lead to years of roofing problems or in some cases, one may end up paying for damages inflicted by the uninsured roofing contractor.

Nailed It Roofing & Construction has been servicing Mississauga and surrounding area for over 10 years.  Our office is located in Mississauga and clients are always welcome to visit us during office hours.  We are also open year round since we know roof problems don’t end when summer is over.  Our service offerings includes roof repair & replacement, skylight installations & repair, eavestrough install & repair, roof inspections and much more.  If you have questions on your roof, contact us and one of our knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you.

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