Overview
- Ontario does not issue a general roofing license, so checking a contractor’s paperwork is up to you.
- A WSIB clearance certificate shows the roofer is registered and paid up with the province’s workers’ compensation system. You can check it online in a few minutes.
- Commercial general liability insurance protects your home and your neighbors’ property if something goes wrong. Verify it with the insurance broker, not just the paper.
- Crews that use fall protection need valid Working at Heights training, which expires every three years.
- Recent local references, a detailed written contract and a real business address tell you a lot about how a company works.
- Refusing to share WSIB or insurance details, demanding cash only or pushing you to sign today are all reasons to walk away.
A new roof is one of the biggest repairs you will make on your home, and you are handing it to a crew you may have met only a few days ago. That is a lot of trust.
The good news is that you do not have to rely on a gut feeling. Most of what separates a reliable roofing company from a risky one can be checked with a few phone calls and a quick online search. The tricky part is knowing what to ask for, because Ontario leaves much of the vetting to the homeowner.
Here is a practical guide to checking roofing contractors in Ottawa before you sign: what the paperwork means, how to confirm it is real, and which warning signs are worth taking seriously.
Does a Roofer Need a License in Ontario?
Not in the way an electrician or plumber does. Ontario does not currently issue a general roofing license for residential work, which means almost anyone can print business cards and call themselves a roofing contractor. That is why the checks below matter so much.
Some contractors hold manufacturer certifications, which allow them to offer extended shingle warranties. That is a good sign, but it is not a substitute for insurance or WSIB coverage. Treat it as a bonus on top of the basics.
A solid roofing company in Ottawa will have a real address, a registered business name, current insurance and WSIB coverage, and be happy to show you all of it. If any of those feel hard to get, take note.
Step 1: Check the WSIB Clearance Certificate
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is Ontario’s workers’ compensation system. A clearance certificate is proof that a contractor is registered, has reported their payroll and is up to date on premiums.
Why does that matter to you as a homeowner? Roofing is physically risky work, and falls are one of the most serious dangers in construction. If a worker is hurt on your property and the contractor is not covered, the injured person is outside the compensation system, which can leave you dealing with a stressful legal and financial mess. A valid clearance helps protect everyone.
Here is how to check it:
- Ask the contractor for their WSIB account number or their exact legal business name.
- Visit the WSIB clearance portal. You can search by account number or business name without creating an account.
- Confirm the status shows the contractor as in good standing.
- Check the expiry date. Certificates do not last forever, so make sure it covers the dates your roof will be worked on.
Do not settle for a photocopy someone hands you. A paper certificate may be out of date, so look it up yourself.
Step 2: Confirm Liability Insurance
WSIB covers the workers. Commercial general liability (CGL) insurance covers your property. If a storm hits while the deck is open and the crew did not tarp it properly, or a falling bundle of shingles dents your neighbor’s car, this is the policy that pays.
Ask for a certificate of insurance and look at three things: the policy is current, the coverage limit is reasonable for residential work (many homeowners ask for at least $2 million), and the company name on the certificate matches the name on your quote.
Then take one more step. Find the insurance broker’s contact details on the certificate, look up their phone number independently, and call to confirm the policy is active and paid. A certificate can be real and still be out of date if the policy was cancelled after it was issued.
Step 3: Ask About Working at Heights Training
Ontario requires construction workers who use fall protection, like harnesses and lanyards, to have approved Working at Heights training. The certification is valid for three years, and the Ontario government explains the requirement in plain terms.
Ask the contractor to confirm in writing that everyone on your crew has current training. A company that takes safety seriously will answer this question without hesitation. It also protects your project from being shut down by a safety inspector halfway through.
Step 4: Talk to Real References
Online reviews are a useful starting point, but they only tell part of the story. Ask each contractor for two or three recent references, ideally from jobs finished in the last year or so and in communities close to yours, whether that is Kanata, Barrhaven, Stittsville, Manotick or Kemptville.
When you call, skip the “were you happy?” question and get specific:
- Did the final invoice match the original quote?
- Did the crew show up when they said they would, and keep you updated about weather delays?
- Was the property protected and cleaned up properly, including a magnetic sweep for stray nails?
- Did any problems come up afterward, and how quickly were they fixed?
A contractor who has nothing to hide will usually pass along names without a fuss.
Step 5: Read the Written Contract Closely
A professional quote is detailed. Before you sign anything, check that the contract spells out:
- The brand and type of shingles or other roofing material
- The type of eave protection (ice and water shield) and underlayment being installed
- Whether ventilation work is included
- Who handles disposal and where the bin will go
- How hidden damage, like rotted decking, will be priced and approved
- Start and finish dates, and what happens if weather causes delays
- The warranty on materials and the warranty on workmanship, in writing
- The payment schedule
Vague line items such as “supply and install roof” make it hard to compare quotes and even harder to resolve a dispute. If you want a sense of what a thorough, line-by-line price looks like, our roof cost guide for Ottawa walks through what a fair quote should include.
Red Flags That Mean You Should Walk Away
Sometimes the paperwork is not the problem. It is how a company behaves when you ask for it. Be cautious if a contractor:
- Refuses or avoids giving you a WSIB account number or insurance certificate
- Claims to be exempt from WSIB without being able to show proof
- Wants cash only, with no written contract or proper receipt
- Pressures you to sign today for a “neighborhood discount”
- Gives you a quote that is much lower than the others, without explaining why
- Has no real local address or only a cell phone number
The lowest price rarely stays the lowest. Missing insurance, shortcuts on waterproofing and unfinished work can cost far more than the money you saved up front. That is also why our post on the benefits of hiring a professional residential roofing contractor is worth a read, and why correct installation details like those in our guide to proper roof shingle installation deserve to be in writing.
When you start comparing roofing contractors in Ottawa, run every company through the same checklist. A side-by-side comparison makes the right choice much easier to see.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do homeowners really need to check a roofer’s WSIB status?
Yes. It takes a few minutes online and it protects you. Without coverage, an injured worker sits outside the workers’ compensation system, and that can leave a homeowner facing a legal and financial headache nobody wants.
What if a roofer says they are exempt from WSIB?
Some independent operators may not need coverage, but they should be able to show documentation that confirms their status. Ask for it in writing. If they cannot produce it, treat that as a red flag.
How long is a WSIB clearance certificate good for?
Not long. Certificates are time-limited and renew on a regular schedule, so one that was valid last season may not be valid now. Always look the contractor up yourself and check that the expiry date covers your project dates.
Is a manufacturer certification the same as being licensed?
No. A manufacturer certification means the company has been trained on that brand’s products and can usually offer an extended warranty. It does not replace insurance, WSIB coverage or a proper written contract.
Summary
Choosing a roofer in Ottawa comes down to proof, not promises. Ontario has no general roofing licence, so confirm a current WSIB clearance on the official portal, verify liability insurance by calling the broker, ask about Working at Heights training, speak to recent local references and get everything in a detailed written contract.
Pay attention to how a company responds when you ask. Clear, quick answers are a good sign, and dodging, pressure or cash-only deals are not. A few extra phone calls now can save you from a roof that leaks, a project that stalls or a bill that keeps growing.
If you would like to talk through your own roof, request a free quote or call Taylor Roofing at 613-416-6215. We will measure, explain your options and put the details in writing.