Not all roofs are created equal, and the same is true for roofing companies.

When it comes time to repair your roof, choosing the right roofing company can be a big challenge. How do you make sure you choose a Calgary roofing contractor who actually knows what they’re doing? What should you look for in a good roofing company? And how can you tell if your new roof was installed incorrectly?

You’ve got questions and, well, we’ve got answers! We know how overwhelming it can be to pick the right roofer, so we’ve put together our top 3 most helpful tips for choosing a roofing contractor in Calgary (or anywhere, really).

Remember: Anyone can post their services on Kijiji and Marketplace… including this guy.

Choosing A Roofing Contractor In Calgary:
Getting A New Roof Shouldn’t Leave You Soaked!

It certainly can seem like there are more roofing contractors than you can shake a hammer at in this beautiful city. And they’re all trying to get your business.

Just typing the words “roofing Calgary” into Google shows a huge list of options – and these are just the roofers with websites! Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, and even your own mailbox have that many more roofers advertising their services, making the choice that much harder.

Unfortunately, Calgary also has its (un)fair share of fly-by-night roofing contractors and sketchy independent operators. These shady characters will promise you what seems like a great deal, but will deliver a finished product that falls sadly short.

Professional Advice On How To Choose A Great Roofer:

Here at Advanced Level Roofing, we’ve seen far too many Calgarians victimized by these shady “roofing contractors” and the sub-standard roofs that they’ve installed.

Examples of shoddy roofing work include:

• Shingles installed without any base-layer
• Base layer installed overtop rotting wood
• Using casing nails instead of roofing nails
• Shingling overtop of air vents
• Too many more to mention here!

Needless to say, this level of shoddy workmanship led to some very unhappy home and business owners… which, in turn, leads us to our #1 tip for choosing a reputable Calgary roofer:

Get referrals from satisfied customers (and watch for warnings from dissatisfied customers!)

Online reviews are a good place, but word-of-mouth reviews are worth their weight in gold. Ask your family, friends, and coworkers if they know of a roofing contractor they’d recommend and then do a quick follow-up investigation. Definitely check their reviews online, but also be sure to ask them some questions to make sure they’re a good fit for your needs.

Some questions to ask are:

1. Are they properly licensed and insured?
   A reputable roofing company will have insurance coverage for all its employees and subcontractors. They will also be able to show you a copy of their insurance certificate upon request, so don’t be afraid to ask to see it! If a roofing company doesn’t have insurance, or if they say they do but can’t back it up with proof, then walk away and don’t look back!
2. Do they have any manufacturer designations/certifications?
   Roofing contractors with manufacturer designations (like the Owens Corning Roofing Contractor Network) are required to meet a minimum number of requirements in order to receive a designation. They’re also typically obliged to follow stricter installation procedures for the manufacturer’s products and, as a result, are able to offer stronger product warranties.
3. Does the roofing company provide a written contract and estimate?
   Any roofer in Calgary (or anywhere else) who’s worth their asphalt will provide you with a written list of job details and pricing. Many roofing companies will also ask for a deposit, which is normal, but if they ask for more than 30% of the project cost then it’s well worth thinking twice before committing.

Get a roofing contractor that offers strong warranties.

That’s right – warranties. As in both manufacturer and workmanship warranties.

Many of these shady roofing contractors will only be able to offer a limited manufacturer warranty (if that), which is just something that’s worth your time & money.

If a roof is improperly installed, it could be months to years before you notice anything is wrong. Furthermore, chances are high that your insurance won’t cover any damage that eventually happens. You want to be sure you’ve hired a roofing contractor that will stand by their product and their work so you don’t end up having to pay for yet another roof repair, hot on the heels of your last one!

Choose a roofer who will help you make informed decisions.

It’s a roofing contractor’s job to know about appropriate roofing options, and it’s their duty to share that knowledge with you so you can make the right decisions regarding your roof repairs.

This includes information about roofing materials, project timelines, costs, and even aesthetics. In other words, a good roofer will provide you with all the pertinent information you need to make an informed decision about your roofing project.

The above 3 tips for finding a great roofer are what we’d tell our own mothers, so you can be confident that they will help you! Obviously we would love to be your roofing contractors of choice, but we realize we’re not the only roofing company in town. We hope you find these tips useful in choosing the right roofer for your project.

You can always give us a call or drop us a line if you have any questions about your specific roofing needs – we’ve got you covered!

Founded & headquartered in Calgary, Advanced Level Roofing is now incredibly proud to offer our professional services for:

•   Calgary roofing   •   Edmonton roofing   •   Kelowna roofing   •   Winnipeg roofing