Hiring a roofer in Montréal: licence, permits, warranties

A roof is rarely redone, and mistakes are expensive: leaks, ice dams, shingles lifting in the first big wind. A few checks before you sign prevent most bad surprises, whether it is shingles on a Laval bungalow or a membrane on the flat roof of a Montréal triplex.

1. The right licence

Roofing work falls under RBQ subclass 7 (insulation, waterproofing, roofing and exterior cladding). Search for the roofer by number or name: the licence must be active, include that subclass and be in the name of the company that signs the contract, not a subcontractor introduced at the last minute.

2. An inspection before the price

A serious roofer looks at the roof, and often the attic, before pricing the job. That way they can tell whether a repair is enough or the roof must be redone, and whether the wood deck is sound. A price given over the phone, without a visit, ignores whatever is hiding under the covering.

3. What the quote must list

• The covering: asphalt shingles (model and colour) on a sloped roof, a membrane on a flat roof, or another material.
• Tear-off of the old covering and debris disposal.
• Replacement of damaged decking, with a unit price in case more is found than planned.
• Flashing and the protective membrane at the eaves, in the valleys and around chimneys.
• Attic ventilation: vents, soffits, baffles.
• Who applies for the permit, and the final yard clean-up (nails, debris).

4. Roofing permits by city and roof type

Rules change from one city, and one borough, to the next. A few examples from municipal pages (in French):

• Montréal, sloped roof: according to the page on renovating a sloped roof (updated April 9, 2026), repairs and maintenance need no permit; replacing the covering does not either, unless the building is in a heritage sector or one with special architectural standards. The City advises checking the zoning with your borough first.
• Montréal, flat roof: replacing the covering of a flat or low-slope roof generally requires a permit, and several boroughs require a white or reflective material, or a green roof (City page, updated February 2, 2026). In Saint-Léonard, the permit application for a roof can be made online (Saint-Léonard permit counter).
• Laval: replacing the roof covering with the same material, even when adding insulation, needs no permit; switching to a new material does (exterior home renovation).
• Brossard: the City has a separate procedure for roofing, done online through the Bciti citizen portal (major work and alterations).

Write into the contract who takes care of the permit, and wait until you have it before the crew shows up.

5. Ventilation and insulation

Many roof problems come from a poorly ventilated or poorly insulated attic: condensation, mould, ice dams. Ask the roofer how air will get in and out. See also roof snow and ice dams and, if you are torn between materials, metal roof or asphalt shingles.

6. Two different warranties

The manufacturer’s warranty covers the materials, often on condition that installation follows its instructions. The roofer’s warranty covers the labour: have its length and coverage written down. Keep the invoice and the product sheet with your house papers; they will help when you sell.

7. The right time

Roofers are very busy in summer and early fall. Plan early and compare offers line by line with our guide on comparing quotes. You can browse roofers in Saint-Léonard or across Montréal, check the Laval page, or describe your roof and get quotes.