RCABC FAQs 

How do I find a roofing contractor?
Go to the Membership List page of this website. Members are listed alphabetically as well as geographically.

What questions should I ask a potential contractor?

  • How long have they been in business?
  • Where is their office located?
  • Can you reach them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
  • Are their staff trained and licensed?
  • Do they have workers compensation and general liability insurance?
  • Do they have a business licence to work in your community?
  • Will they give you references?
  • Do they have a satisfactory record with the Better Business Bureau in your community?
  • Are they willing to put all agreements, promises and understandings in writing?
  • Will they give you a written warranty for labour and materials?

The estimates I have received are different in price. What should I do?
Make sure that you provided each company doing an estimate with the same specifications. A low price can signal discrepancies or shortcomings in the reliability of the contractor and experience of the estimator and actual crew. If you are still in doubt, you may need to call an inspection company to help you determine the correct specifications for your roofing project.

How do I find a reliable inspection company?
Inspection Firms that comply with the standards, policies and procedures established by the Roofing Contractors Association Guarantee Corp. are listed alphabetically on this website.

What does it cost to have my roof inspected?
For a typical residence, you can expect to pay between $300 - $400 for a roof inspection depending on the size of roof and access to the roof. For an apartment building or strata, call an inspection company and ask for a quote.

I obtained quotes from two different roofing companies – one said I only need to repair my roof and the other said I need to replace the roof. What do I do now?
This would be a good time to get an inspection done so that you can make an informed decision. The cost of an inspection may save you thousands of dollars down the road.

If I want to make sure my roofing project is done by a qualified roofer – what should I ask to see as proof?
Ask to see the roofer’s trade qualification certificate, or Interprovincial Red Seal certificate. The number on these certificates can be checked with the Industry Training Authority (ITA) www.itabc.ca

Where can I get more information about the kind of roof I need?
There is a Consumer Guide to Roofing located on this website that will assist consumers with the selection of roofing services in BC.

What kind of roofing warranties are available?
RCABC has been providing commercial, industrial and institutional building owners with a third
party roof guarantee for 50 years. Go to the Guarantee Program page on this website for more information.

My roof is leaking. Does this mean I need a new one?
Not necessarily. You may only need repair work. The best way to determine the problem is to call in a professional roofing company for an assessment.

My mobile home needs a new roof/roof repairs. Can you help?
Our members do not provide this service; perhaps check the Yellow Pages.

When is the best time to replace a roof?
If you have your roof done in the spring or fall, you will generally find better availability and faster service.

I’ve got a problem with my roof and I called the company three times and they haven’t called me back.
If it is summer time, most roofing companies are extremely busy and you may have to wait a couple of days to get a response.

What do I do if I have a problem with my new roof and cannot get satisfaction from the roofing contractor?
If the roof was installed by one of our members, please send us your complaint in writing. If the roof was provided by a company that is not one of our members, you might be able to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

What do I need to do to become a member of the RCABC?
This information is on the Our Members page of this website; click on Membership Criteria at the bottom of the page.

When are membership fees due?
For new members, membership fees are due only after a company has been approved for membership. The membership year runs from September 1st to August 31st. For existing members, invoices are typically sent out at the end of June for payment by August 31st.

I have many years experience in the roofing trade, how can I become certified?
There are two options to becoming a certified roofer:

The first option is to challenge the Interprovincial exam based on time in the trade. If you can prove 5400 hours work experience doing the full scope of work as a roofer you are eligible to apply through the Industry Training Authority to write the exam.  If you pass the exam with a minimum 70% you receive the “Certificate of Qualification” for BC with the “red seal Interprovincial endorsement” and are considered a “Journeyperson Roofer”. See more information about exam challenges on the ITA web site at www.itabc.ca

Your other option is to gain employment with a roofing company and register as an apprentice. In this case you would attend three levels of technical training (4 weeks each year) at RCABC and earn 3600 hours of on the job training with an employer working under the guidance of a journeyperson roofer. See more information about apprenticeship on the Education page of this website.

I am a new immigrant to Canada and have many years of experience as a roofer. I wish to challenge the exam but due to my language barrier I feel I would have difficulty writing the exam in English or attending technical training. What can I do?

In BC the Industry Training Authority has set up a process where individuals with limited English or French may use an interpreter when they challenge the exam. If you choose to write the exam with an interpreter and you pass you would receive the “Certificate of Qualification” for BC. You would not receive “Interprovincial” status as the use of an interpreter is only recognized in BC. See more information about the use of an interpreter at www.itabc.ca

Do I have to be a member of RCABC to attend roofing training classes?
Classes at the Roofing Institute operated by RCABC are open to all individuals interested in registering as an Apprentice and attending technical training.

Who can register as an Apprentice?
Any person who works for and is sponsored by a roofing company that employs a ticketed journeyperson within the same trade that you are registering for can register as an Apprentice.

When are the classes and how much does it cost?
Check out the Guide to Apprenticeship and the information on the Education page of this website for complete information.

I will be attending apprenticeship training at the RCABC Roofing Institute. Where can I stay?
Information on where to stay is located on the Education page of this website.

I lost my trade qualification certificate. How do I get a replacement?
Applications for replacement certificates can be found on the Grants Info & Forms page on this website.