At Professional Roofers, we like to believe we offer a great service for a great price, and we are willing to stand by that service no matter what. It’s one of the reasons we are so adamant about creating a fair and comprehensive contract for all our clients – so that they can hold us to the standards we pride ourselves in. However, we know that not every company is as transparent or honest as ours. Some roofers will do anything they can to “bait” a customer into working with them, then they will break their promises or find loopholes in their agreements, souring the good name of roofers everywhere.
Don’t allow a shady company take advantage of you – it is important to know your rights and to protect yourself by ensuring all your business dealings are in writing. When you choose to work with a roofing company in Toronto, it is absolutely essential to have a written contract that clearly outlines the terms you and your roofing contractor have agreed to. If you are unsure of what you might need to include in your contract, for your convenience we have compiled a list of information you may wish to include.
- Your name, address, and contact information along with the roofer’s name, address, and contact information.
- A detailed description of the project including the materials that will be used.
- The quote, or written estimate, which should include an itemized list of labour and material costs.
- The total cost of the project, including applicable taxes, and details of any deposits needed along with the terms of payment.
- A work schedule with a start and finish date. Your contract should also include a contingency plan that discusses how delays will be dealt with.
- Details about how your home, landscaping, and/or garden will be protected during the build.
- Details pertaining to the clean up and who is responsible for what.
- Warranty information pertaining to materials and/or labour.
- Insurance information for the roofer.
- Who is responsible for damages that may occur to your home or your neighbour’s property?
- If building permits are needed, who is responsible for obtaining them, along with any necessary inspections?
If your contract includes all of the above information, you should be in good shape should anything go awry with the renovation; however, you may wish to have your lawyer go over the contract with you as well and explain your rights. Bear in mind that you are also covered under Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act if the work being performed costs over $50. With this act, you have the right to a 10-calendar-day cooling off period if you sign the contract in your home, meaning that you can legally cancel the contract within this time frame. However, if work had already begun during this period of time, you do still have to pay for the services and materials rendered.
We hope you have found this blog post enlightening and that you now feel capable of preparing a rock-solid written contract with the roofer of your choice. Until next time!
