What Certifications, Insurance and Warranties Should a Roofer Have in Quebec?

Credentials are the part of a roofing quote most homeowners skim, which is unfortunate, because they are the part that determines what happens if something goes wrong. A licence establishes the contractor’s legal right to do the work. Insurance decides who pays for accidental damage. Warranties decide who fixes a failure in five years. This guide explains what each one actually covers, and how to confirm all three before you commit.

What Does an RBQ Licence Actually Prove?

The RBQ licence is a legal requirement, not a badge of quality, but earning one is not trivial. To hold a licence, a contractor must demonstrate technical and management competence, deposit a licence security as proof of solvency, and pass a financial probity check carried out by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec.

Licences are also issued by category and subclass, so a valid licence for one type of construction does not authorise every kind of work. When you check a number, confirm the subclasses cover roofing. Quebec rules require contractors to display the number in a set format, and the RBQ publishes guidance on displaying a licence number on advertising and quotes. Cossette’s number, 5697-7788-01, appears on the website, on estimates and in the site footer.

Why Does Liability Insurance Matter to You?

Roofing involves working at height above your property, with tools, materials and debris. Accidents damage gutters, siding, windows, driveways, vehicles and landscaping. Liability insurance is what determines whether the contractor’s insurer pays for that or whether you are left arguing about it.

Ask for the certificate rather than the assurance, and check the dates are current. A policy that lapsed last month is not coverage. Cossette carries full liability insurance for all roofing work, and will provide confirmation on request during the estimate stage.

What Is the Difference Between a Manufacturer Warranty and a Workmanship Warranty?

These two warranties cover completely different failures, and having one is not the same as having both. A manufacturer warranty covers the material itself: shingles that fail prematurely, granule loss outside the expected range, a membrane that degrades faster than specified. It is issued by the product manufacturer and travels with the material.

A workmanship warranty covers the installation: fasteners in the wrong place, flashing detailed incorrectly, a seam that was not sealed properly. It is issued by the contractor, and it is only worth what the contractor is worth. A twenty-five-year workmanship warranty from a company formed last year is a document, not a protection.

What matters for you is simpler than the industry detail behind it: get both warranties, in writing, with the durations and the exclusions stated.

• Manufacturer warranty: covers the material, issued by the product maker
• Workmanship warranty: covers the installation, issued by your contractor
• Most real-world roofing failures in the first decade are installation issues, not material issues
• Both should name durations, what voids them, and whether they transfer if you sell

Which Warranties Come With Common Roofing Materials?

Expectations differ substantially by system, and knowing the normal range stops you being impressed by an ordinary offer. Architectural asphalt shingles are commonly supplied with a lifetime limited warranty, and Cossette installs them on that basis through its shingle roofing service.

Flat roofing works differently, because membrane systems are rated by expected service life rather than by a headline warranty term. Elastomeric membrane, the SBS modified bitumen system Cossette installs on residential and commercial flat roofs, has a lifespan of 35 to 40 years. Metal roofing sits at the other end again, with a very long service life and full recyclability at the end of it. Ask for the specific warranty documents during your estimate rather than relying on category generalisations.

Does Torch-Applied Membrane Work Need Special Qualifications?

Yes, and this is the credential most homeowners never think to ask about. Installing modified bitumen membrane with a torch involves open flame on a building, and under Quebec law it requires specific qualifications and specific insurance. A contractor without them should not be doing the work at all.

Every roofer on the Cossette team holds specialised training in asphalt shingle installation, metal roofing and elastomeric membrane systems, including torch-welding certification. Training is renewed annually so the crew stays current with roofing technologies and building code requirements in both Quebec and Ontario. If your project involves a flat roof or elastomeric membrane, ask directly whether the crew is certified for torch application.

How Do You Confirm All of This Before You Sign?

Everything above can be verified in one short conversation and one internet search, and a contractor who resists any part of it has told you something useful. Do it at the estimate stage, before a deposit and before materials are ordered.

Cossette’s process is built to make this straightforward. The free evaluation is followed by a detailed written quote listing materials and warranty options, and the final stage after installation includes an inspection plus handover of the manufacturer warranty documentation and workmanship guarantee details. Beyond the paperwork, the company has been BBB-accredited since August 2020 and is a GAF Factory-Certified contractor.

• Get the RBQ licence number and verify it in the public repertory
• Ask to see a current liability insurance certificate
• Confirm torch-welding certification if membrane work is involved
• Require both warranties in writing, with durations and exclusions
• Check the licence number appears on the estimate itself

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check an RBQ licence number?

Enter the number in the licence holders’ repertory published by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec. The search is public and free, and it confirms whether the licence is valid and which subclasses it covers. Do this yourself rather than accepting a screenshot.

Is BBB accreditation the same as being licensed?

No, and the two should not be confused. An RBQ licence is a legal requirement to perform construction work in Quebec. BBB accreditation is a voluntary business standard relating to complaint handling and business practices. Cossette holds both: RBQ licence 5697-7788-01 and BBB accreditation since August 2020.

What is a GAF Factory-Certified contractor?

It means the manufacturer has assessed and certified the contractor to install its roofing systems. Manufacturer certification matters practically, because some enhanced material warranties are only available through certified installers. Cossette is GAF Factory-Certified.

Does a workmanship warranty transfer if I sell my house?

Sometimes, and it varies by contractor and by warranty. Ask the question before you sign and get the answer in writing, because a transferable warranty is a genuine selling point later. The same question applies to the manufacturer warranty on the materials.

Do I need a permit for a roof replacement?

Requirements are set by your municipality and depend on the scope of work, so confirm with your local authority. A contractor who works in your area regularly will know the local process and can tell you what applies. Cossette works throughout Gatineau, Ottawa and the Outaouais and completes work to building code standards in both provinces.

Need help now? Call 819-777-7177 any time, or request your free estimate online.

Key Takeaways

• An RBQ licence is a legal requirement in Quebec, and holding one requires proven competence, solvency and a probity check.
• Verify the licence number yourself in the RBQ repertory, and confirm the subclasses cover roofing.
• Ask for a current liability insurance certificate, not a verbal assurance.
• You need two warranties, not one: manufacturer for materials, contractor for workmanship.
• Most failures in a roof’s first decade are installation problems, which is what the workmanship warranty covers.
• Torch-applied membrane work requires specific qualifications and insurance under Quebec law. Ask directly.
• Cossette holds RBQ licence 5697-7788-01, full liability insurance, BBB accreditation since 2020 and GAF Factory-Certified status. Book a free evaluation.