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Homeowners usually call a roofer for one of three reasons: a leak or storm damage that needs repair, a roof at the end of its life that needs replacing, or a question about the roof before buying or selling a house. Some roofers focus on sloped homes covered in asphalt shingles or metal. Others specialize in flat roofs, which are common on plexes and row houses in Quebec cities and call for different membranes and skills.
A good roofer treats the roof as a system that includes the attic below it. Heat and moisture escaping from the house into the attic are behind many ice dams and much of the frost and mould found under the roof deck, and new shingles won't fix that on their own. This page covers the types of work roofers do, the materials they install, how a job usually unfolds, and what to know about licences, permits and warranties.
Types of roofing work a roofer does
Ask a roofer which of these jobs make up most of their work. A crew that replaces shingle roofs all summer may not be the right choice for a leaking flat roof on a triplex, and the reverse is just as true.
- Leak investigation and targeted repairs to shingles, flashing, valleys and vents.
- Full roof replacement, from stripping the old covering down to the deck to installing new underlayment and roofing.
- Flat and low-slope roofing, such as multi-ply membranes and traditional tar-and-gravel roofs.
- Emergency protection after high winds, hail or a fallen tree, including tarping and temporary sealing.
- Roof inspections before a purchase, after a storm or when an insurer asks about the roof's condition.
- Attic ventilation upgrades, such as adding soffit intake or ridge exhaust vents, often done along with a new roof.
- Flashing around skylights, chimneys and plumbing vents, the spots where many leaks begin.
Roofing materials roofers install in Canada
The right material depends on the slope of the roof, the style of the house, the weight the structure can carry and how long you plan to stay. Whatever goes on top, the layers underneath do much of the work in a Canadian winter.
- Asphalt shingles: the most common covering on sloped Canadian homes, available in flat three-tab and thicker laminated styles.
- Metal roofing: standing-seam or steel panels that shed snow readily and suit steep roofs, often with snow guards over entrances and walkways.
- Flat-roof membranes: multi-ply modified bitumen, single-ply sheets or traditional asphalt and gravel, each with its own installation method.
- Cedar shakes and shingles: a traditional look that needs good airflow underneath and regular upkeep to last.
- Slate and other heavy materials: very durable, but the structure must be checked for the extra weight before they go on.
- Underlayment, eave membranes and flashing: the hidden layers that keep out meltwater and wind-driven rain when the top layer is pushed to its limits.
Working with a roofer, from first visit to final walk-through
- First visit: the roofer looks at the roof surface, flashing and gutters and, ideally, the attic for stains, frost or damp insulation.
- Written recommendation: repair, partial replacement or full replacement, with the reasons explained in plain language.
- Scheduling: dates depend on the weather, since shingles and membranes need dry conditions and suitable temperatures to seal properly.
- Site preparation: covering landscaping, windows and the driveway, and placing a bin for old materials.
- The work itself, with cleanup each day and the roof left watertight before the crew leaves.
- Final walk-through: checking flashing, vents and the ground for stray nails, then receiving the invoice, warranty papers and any permit sign-off.
Roofer licences and roofing permits in Quebec and across Canada
In Quebec, anyone who does renovation work for you, roofing included, must hold a licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) with the subclasses that cover the job. You can look up a roofer in the RBQ's online licence registry and check that the company name matches the one on your contract. Hiring a licensed contractor also gives you access to a financial guarantee if a dispute arises.
Elsewhere in Canada, the rules for roofing contractors vary by province and municipality. Permits are handled locally: many cities require one for a full replacement, structural repairs or a change of material, while small repairs often need none. Check with your municipality before work starts, and make sure the contract says who is responsible for the permit.
Roofing warranties: materials versus workmanship
A new roof usually comes with two separate warranties. The manufacturer covers defects in the materials, often on the condition that the whole system is installed to its instructions, sometimes with matching underlayment, vents and accessories. The roofer covers the workmanship, which is where most early problems come from: poorly fastened shingles, missing flashing or badly sealed vents.
Read both before signing. Check what can void them, such as inadequate attic ventilation or a later repair by someone else, whether they transfer to a new owner, and how to make a claim. Keep the contract, the invoice and the warranty papers together with photos of the finished roof.
When to book a roofer in a Canadian climate
Roofers are busiest from late spring to fall, when the weather is dry and mild enough for shingles to seal and membranes to bond. Booking an inspection early in spring, once the snow is gone, lets you catch damage left by winter and plan a replacement before the rush.
Repairs and emergency work are possible in winter, but the work is slower and weather-dependent, and some materials can't be installed properly in the cold. If you know your roof is near the end of its life, don't wait for the first leak in January to call.
Roofer, general contractor or engineer: who to call for roof work
- Call a roofer for leaks, damaged shingles or flashing, flat-roof membranes and full replacements.
- Call a general contractor when the roof is part of a larger project, such as an addition, a dormer or a raised roofline; they will bring in a roofer.
- Call a structural engineer if the roof sags, rafters are cracked or you want to add a heavy material or rooftop equipment.
- Call a home inspector for an overall report before buying, knowing they may recommend a closer look by a roofer.
- Call an insulation or energy-efficiency contractor when ice dams keep returning on a sound roof, since the fix is often air sealing and insulation in the attic.
Roofers: frequently asked questions
Do I need a licensed roofer in Quebec?
Yes. Contractors who do roofing work for homeowners must hold an RBQ licence with the subclass that covers the job. Look up the licence in the RBQ registry before you sign anything.
Should a roofer look in my attic?
It helps a lot. Stains on the underside of the deck, frost on nail tips in winter or damp insulation point to leaks, condensation or poor ventilation that can't be seen from outside.
Can roofers work in winter?
Repairs and emergency protection can be done in winter when conditions are safe. Full replacements are usually planned for warmer months so the materials seal and bond properly.
Are ice dams a roofing problem or an attic problem?
Often both. Ice dams usually form when heat escaping into the attic melts the snow on the roof and the water refreezes at the colder eaves. A roofer can install eave protection and improve ventilation, but sealing air leaks and adding insulation are often part of the fix.
Should I trust a roofer who knocks on my door after a storm?
Be careful. Take the time to check the licence, insurance and references, compare more than one written quote, and never sign under pressure.
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Written by the LokalMatch editorial team. Reviewed by Zubair Afzal on September 10, 2026. How we write and check our guides