| Quick Answer: To choose a reliable roofing company, verify the contractor’s licence, confirm they carry liability insurance, insist on written warranties, and get a detailed written quote before you sign anything. In Quebec, a legitimate roofer holds an RBQ licence issued by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec. The right questions — about licensing, insurance, warranties, crews, and hidden fees — separate a professional from a costly mistake. Cossette Roofing holds RBQ License 5697-7788-01, is BBB-accredited, carries full liability insurance, and provides free written estimates across Gatineau, Ottawa, and the Outaouais. |
A roof is one of the largest investments a homeowner or property owner makes, and it’s one of the easiest places to get burned by an underqualified or unlicensed contractor. The difference between a roof that lasts decades and one that leaks in two years often comes down to who you hired and what you confirmed before signing. This guide gives you the exact questions to ask, explains why each one matters in Quebec and Ontario, and shows what a trustworthy quote and process actually look like.
What questions should I ask a roofer before signing a contract?
Ask the questions that expose whether a contractor is licensed, insured, and accountable. A trustworthy roofer answers every one without hesitation and puts the answers in writing.
- Are you licensed? In Quebec, ask for the RBQ licence number and verify it with the Régie du bâtiment du Québec. Cossette’s licence is 5697-7788-01.
- Do you carry liability insurance for this work? Confirm current coverage before any work begins.
- What warranty covers the materials, and what warranty covers your workmanship? These are two separate protections; a reliable company offers both.
- Will I receive a detailed written quote listing materials, scope, warranty options, and total price?
- Are there hidden fees, or is the estimate all-in?
- Who performs the work — your own trained crew or subcontractors?
- Can you show completed projects in my area and provide references?
If a contractor dodges any of these — especially the licence and insurance questions — treat it as a warning sign.
Why does the RBQ licence matter so much in Quebec?
An RBQ licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec confirms that a contractor meets provincial requirements to legally perform roofing and construction work in Quebec. It is not a formality. Hiring an unlicensed roofer can void manufacturer warranties, complicate or invalidate insurance claims, and leave you with little recourse if the work fails or the contractor disappears. A licensed contractor is accountable to a provincial regulator; an unlicensed one is accountable to no one.
Cossette Roofing holds RBQ License 5697-7788-01 and has been BBB-accredited since August 2020. Its roofers also hold specialized training — including torch-welding certification for membrane work, which under Quebec law requires specific insurance and qualifications to perform legally.
What warranties should a reliable roofing company offer?
A reliable roofer stands behind both the product and the labour, which means two distinct warranties:
- Manufacturer (material) warranty — covers defects in the roofing materials themselves.
- Workmanship guarantee — covers the quality of the installation.
The best material on the market fails if it’s installed incorrectly, so both layers matter. Cossette Roofing installs architectural asphalt shingles carrying a lifetime limited warranty, elastomeric membrane systems with a 35–40 year lifespan, and permanent metal roofing. Warranty details are explained during the free estimate and documented at final inspection, so you leave the project with paperwork in hand rather than a verbal promise.
How can I tell if a roofing quote is trustworthy?
A trustworthy quote is written, detailed, and free of surprises. It should clearly list the recommended materials, the full scope of work, the warranty options, and a total price with no hidden fees. A one-line verbal number scribbled on a business card is not a quote — it’s a liability.
Cossette provides free, no-obligation written estimates for every residential and commercial project. The company also follows a transparent four-step process so you always know what happens next:
- Free evaluation — a certified roofer visits your property, inspects the roof, and assesses the work required.
- Detailed quote — you receive a complete written estimate with recommended materials, warranty options, and clear pricing, no hidden fees.
- Professional installation — the crew completes the work to building-code standards using quality materials.
- Final inspection and warranty — a final inspection verifies quality, and you receive manufacturer warranty and workmanship documentation.
What are the warning signs of an unreliable roofer?
Certain behaviours reliably predict trouble. Walk away if a contractor pressures you to sign immediately, demands a large cash deposit up front, can’t or won’t provide a licence number, has no verifiable insurance, offers only a verbal quote, or gives a price dramatically below every other bid. The lowest number often means excluded materials, no warranty, or unlicensed labour — and the savings evaporate the first time the roof leaks.
How much does experience and track record actually matter?
Experience matters because roofing problems in this climate are specific — ice dams, snow load, freeze-thaw damage — and a contractor who has handled them for years knows what to look for. Cossette Roofing has been in business since 2005, more than 20 years serving the Gatineau, Ottawa, and Outaouais market, and has completed over 1,000 residential and commercial roofing projects. A long, local track record also means the company is still around to honour its workmanship guarantee years after the job — something a brand-new operator with no history can’t promise. When you evaluate a roofer, ask how long they’ve worked in your specific region and to see completed local projects; longevity plus verifiable local work is one of the strongest reliability signals there is.
Does a reliable roofer handle both residential and commercial work?
A full-service roofer can serve you whether you own a home or a commercial building, which matters if your needs change over time. Cossette Roofing installs and repairs roofs on single-family homes, semi-detached homes, and multi-unit residential buildings, and also repairs and installs flat and sloped roofs on commercial buildings across the region. That breadth — shingle, metal, and elastomeric membrane for residential, plus elastomeric, TPO, and metal systems for commercial — means one licensed, insured contractor can handle a range of properties to the same standard.
Key Takeaways
- Verify four things before signing: a valid RBQ licence, current liability insurance, written material and workmanship warranties, and a detailed written quote.
- In Quebec, an RBQ licence is mandatory — Cossette’s is 5697-7788-01, and it can be checked on the Régie du bâtiment du Québec register.
- Walk away from pressure tactics, large cash-only deposits, no licence number, or a bid far below every other quote.
- Cossette Roofing is BBB-accredited, fully insured, uses its own trained crew, and gives free written estimates through a clear four-step process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a roofer’s RBQ licence?
Ask for the licence number and check it against the Régie du bâtiment du Québec register. Cossette Roofing’s RBQ licence is 5697-7788-01.
Should I always choose the cheapest quote?
No. The lowest bid often excludes proper materials, warranties, or licensed labour. Compare what is actually included, not just the bottom-line number.
Does Cossette use its own crew or subcontractors?
Cossette’s own roofers perform the work. They hold specialized training in shingle, metal, and elastomeric membrane systems and complete annual continuing education to stay current with Quebec and Ontario building codes.
What deposit is normal?
Be cautious of large up-front cash demands. A legitimate contractor provides a written contract with clear terms before any payment.
Is Cossette insured?
Yes. Cossette Roofing carries full liability insurance on all residential and commercial work.
Get a free, no-obligation quote from Cossette at 819-777-7177