Why a written contract
A verbal agreement holds as long as everything goes well. As soon as a disagreement comes up over the work, the price or the dates, each side remembers a different version. The written contract is the last check to make when you choose a roofer.
What the contract should state
Look for these items in our contract, as in any contractor's.
The parties. The company's legal name, its address, its RBQ licence number, and your contact information.
The work. The building address, the part of the roof concerned, tear-off or overlay, and the flashing, vents and drains replaced.
The materials. The exact product names, their colour and the layers installed.
The price. The total amount, the taxes and what is excluded.
Unforeseen work. Have the agreed unit price for replacing damaged decking written in, along with a clause that no extra will be billed without your written approval.
The schedule. The planned start period, the estimated length and what happens if the weather causes a delay.
The payments. The deposit, the instalments and when the balance is paid.
The warranties. The manufacturer's warranty and the workmanship warranty.
A reasonable deposit
The deposit holds your place in the schedule and pays for ordering the materials. There is nothing abnormal about a deposit.
The deposit should stay a small share of the total, in line with what the contractor has to advance before the start. The higher the amount requested, the more risk you carry if the job never starts.
A few precautions, with us as with any contractor:
- pay nothing before you have a contract signed by both parties
- ask us for our RBQ licence number and check it in the RBQ public register before paying
- pay by a method that leaves a trace and ask for a receipt
For any question about the deposit and your rights as a customer, contact the Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC).
Payments by stage
On a job lasting several days, spreading the payments is normal. Each payment then matches a stage you can see for yourself:
- the deposit, at signing
- a payment on delivery of the materials or at the start of the work
- the balance, once the work is finished
The final payment
Before you pay the balance, make sure that:
- the roof is finished and you have seen photos or walked around with the person in charge
- the grounds are cleaned and the container removed, or its removal confirmed
- the extras billed match what you approved
- you have received the detailed invoice and the warranty documents
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for a roofer to ask for a deposit?
Yes, asking for a deposit is common practice. What should alert you is a deposit that is very high compared to the total, demanded in cash or requested without a signed contract.
The roofer is asking for more money in the middle of the job. What should I do?
Go back to the contract. If it sets the price of decking replacement and requires your written approval before any extra, the discussion starts there. Ask for photos of what justifies the request.
Should I pay cash to get a better price?
No. A payment with no invoice makes proof difficult in a dispute. Always ask for a complete invoice, from us as from any contractor.