The required verifications

License, permits and insurance

In order to legally carry out its activities, the contractor must hold a license from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ), which confirms its competence and integrity. Check the license of the roofer you intend to hire and the validity of his number. The permits, consisting of 10 digits, must necessarily be on his estimates, contracts and invoices.

Insurances

The contractor must be registered as an employer with the Commission of Standards, Equity, Health and Safety at Work (CNESST). This insurance service protects his business against the risk of a significant financial burden that may result from a professional error.

The contractor must also confirm that he holds third-party liability insurance for the duration of the work. The insurance protects against claims for damages for injury or property damage caused by the contractor or his employees.

OPC Research

Itinerant sales is not just for peddlers: any contract signed at home – and this is often the case for roof repairs – is governed by the rules that govern it. The Consumer Protection Act requires the itinerant merchant to allow the customer to cancel the contract, without charge or cause, within ten days of signing. To maintain your remedies, however, you must ensure that the license number is valid. The OPC monitors the activities of itinerant traders. On its website, visit the Learn About a Merchant section to find out if a contractor has been the subject of consumer complaints.