| Quick Answer: A qualified roofing contractor holds a valid provincial licence, carries liability insurance, employs trained installers, and backs the work with both manufacturer and workmanship warranties. In Quebec, that means an RBQ licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec, ideally paired with manufacturer certification such as GAF factory-certified status. Cossette Roofing holds RBQ License 5697-7788-01, is a GAF factory-certified contractor, is BBB-accredited, and carries full liability insurance across Gatineau, Ottawa, and the Outaouais. |
“Qualified” is more than a friendly salesperson and a truck with a logo. It’s a specific, verifiable set of credentials that protect you legally, financially, and structurally. A contractor can be personable and still lack the licence, insurance, training, or warranties that stand between you and an expensive failure. This guide breaks down each credential that matters — certifications, insurance, installer training, warranties, and track record — so you can tell a genuinely qualified contractor from one who just says the right things, and so you know exactly what to ask for and verify before you hand over a deposit.
What certifications should a roofing contractor have?
Certifications prove a contractor is trained, vetted, and authorized to install roofing systems correctly. The ones that matter most in Quebec and Ontario are:
- RBQ licence (Régie du bâtiment du Québec) — legally required to perform roofing and construction work in Quebec. Always verify the number. Cossette’s is 5697-7788-01.
- Manufacturer certification — for example, GAF factory-certified contractor status. GAF’s enhanced material warranties are only available through GAF-certified contractors, so this certification directly affects the coverage you can get. Cossette is GAF factory-certified.
- Specialized trade training — for asphalt shingle, metal, and elastomeric membrane systems, including torch-welding certification, which Quebec law requires specific insurance and qualifications to perform.
- BBB accreditation — an independent signal of business conduct and dispute handling. Cossette has been accredited since 2020.
Why does contractor insurance matter when I’m the one hiring?
Liability insurance protects you, the property owner, if something is damaged or someone is injured during the job. Roofing is hazardous work performed at height around your home; if an uninsured contractor’s worker is hurt on your property, or your home is damaged during the job, you can be drawn into costs that should never have been yours. Always confirm a roofer carries current liability coverage before work begins. Cossette Roofing carries full liability insurance on all roofing work, residential and commercial — one less risk on your side of the ledger.
How does installer training affect how long my roof lasts?
The best material on the market fails prematurely if it’s installed incorrectly, so installer training directly determines the lifespan of your roof. A lifetime-warranty shingle installed with the wrong fastening pattern or poor flashing won’t reach its rated life — and the warranty may not cover installation error.
Every roofer on the Cossette team holds specialized training in asphalt shingle, metal, and elastomeric membrane systems, and completes annual continuing education to stay current with building-code requirements in both Quebec and Ontario. That ongoing training matters because codes and roofing technologies change; a crew trained a decade ago and never again is not the same as one that refreshes every year.
What warranties separate a qualified contractor from a risky one?
A qualified contractor stands behind both the materials and the labour, and manufacturer certification often unlocks stronger material coverage:
- Manufacturer material warranty — covers defects in the roofing products. Manufacturer certification like GAF status can qualify homeowners for enhanced material warranties not available from uncertified installers.
- Workmanship guarantee — covers the installation itself.
Cossette Roofing offers architectural shingles with a lifetime limited warranty, elastomeric membrane with a 35–40 year lifespan, and permanent metal roofing, with warranty documentation provided at final inspection. Because Cossette is GAF factory-certified, homeowners choosing a qualifying GAF shingle system can access enhanced manufacturer warranty coverage.
How do I actually verify a contractor’s credentials?
Verification is quick and worth every minute. Ask for the RBQ licence number and check it on the Régie du bâtiment du Québec register. Confirm manufacturer certification directly — GAF, for instance, publishes a contractor verification tool. Ask for a certificate of insurance. Check the BBB listing. And ask to see completed projects in your region. A qualified contractor welcomes this scrutiny because the credentials are real; a risky one gets evasive. Cossette’s credentials — RBQ 5697-7788-01, GAF factory certification, BBB accreditation, and full liability insurance — are all verifiable.
What experience and track record should a qualified contractor have?
Credentials tell you a contractor is authorized; track record tells you they can actually deliver. 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. Longevity matters for two reasons: a contractor who has worked through 20 years of regional winters understands ice dams, snow load, and freeze-thaw damage firsthand, and a company with a long history is still around to honour its workmanship guarantee years after installation. When you assess a contractor’s qualifications, weigh years in business and verifiable local projects alongside the licence and certifications.
Does a qualified contractor offer a clear, documented process?
A qualified contractor doesn’t just show up and start tearing off shingles — they follow a documented process so you know what happens and when. Cossette works through four defined stages: a free on-site evaluation by a certified roofer, a detailed written quote with materials and warranty options, professional installation to building-code standards, and a final inspection with warranty documentation. A transparent process is itself a qualification signal: it shows the contractor is organized, accountable, and confident enough to put every step and every price in writing before work begins.
Key Takeaways
- A qualified contractor has a valid RBQ licence, liability insurance, trained installers, and both material and workmanship warranties.
- Manufacturer certification matters: GAF enhanced warranties are only available through GAF-certified contractors, and Cossette is GAF factory-certified.
- Installer training determines whether a roof reaches its rated lifespan — Cossette’s roofers complete annual continuing education for Quebec and Ontario codes.
- Every credential is verifiable: RBQ 5697-7788-01, GAF factory certification, BBB accreditation, and full liability insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a GAF factory-certified contractor?
It’s a roofer authorized by manufacturer GAF, based on training and standards, which can qualify homeowners for enhanced material warranties. GAF’s enhanced warranties are only available through GAF-certified contractors. Cossette Roofing is GAF factory-certified.
Is an RBQ licence the same as insurance?
No. The RBQ licence authorizes the contractor to work legally in Quebec; liability insurance covers damage or injury during the job. A qualified contractor carries both, and Cossette does.
Does Cossette serve the Ontario side as well?
Yes. Cossette operates from offices in both Gatineau, QC and Ottawa, ON and serves Ottawa, Kanata, Orléans, and the surrounding region.
Why does annual training matter if a contractor is already certified?
Building codes and roofing technologies change. Cossette’s roofers complete annual continuing education to stay current in both Quebec and Ontario, which protects the quality and code-compliance of the work.
Can I lose my warranty by hiring an unqualified contractor?
Yes. Poor installation can void manufacturer warranties, and enhanced manufacturer warranties require a certified installer in the first place.
Ask Cossette about certifications and warranties — 819-777-7177