Did You Know?
You can do your own due diligence fairly easily when choosing a roof contractor or any contractor for that matter. Due diligence should go beyond simply asking for references. A good contractor should have some positive references they can supply to you but this should not be your sole research tool. Who is really going to provide you with a bad reference? Follow up, call and verify the reference to make sure it’s not just a friend’s phone number. It’s a good start that a company is able to provide some positive references but your due diligence shouldn’t end there. Most industries including roofing are required to have certain things in place and they are easily checked and verified by the customer. Here’s how:
WSIB
You don't have to be registered with WSIB or have an account with them to check the status of a contractor’s account. You simply go to the "e clearance" section on the WSIB website and type in the name of the contractor and it will show you whether or not that contractor is "eligible for clearance certificates." If it shows they are not eligible for a clearance certificate then that means their WSIB insurance is not currently active. There could be several reasons for that including a late paid premium which can be easily remedied but it's always a positive thing to see the account is active and in good standing.
General Liability Insurance
A reputable contractor should be able to produce a liability certificate proving they have active liability insurance. To obtain a liability certificate from the insurance company requires no additional cost for the contractor and should always be kept handy. It's no more complicated than that. So ask to see a certificate.
Safety Certificates
In certain industries, the ministry of labour has required that individuals go through specified training programs and have passed a test obtaining their certificate for that field. As of October 1st, 2017 anyone working over 10 feet from the ground must have their working at heights certification. This certification has replaced the previous fall stop and fall arrest programs which were all very similar. The workers must carry their certificates on them at all times.
Product Certifications
It is extremely important that the installer is certified by the shingle or product manufacturer to install the components they are installing. You need to verify this and not just take it at face value. If they are not certified you will not get a written registered warranty from the manufacturer and should the product be defective it is important to have this warranty. You can verify this easily with the manufacturer either online or by phone.