A roofing contract doesn't need to be long. It needs to be complete. Months from now, when you're wondering whether the ridge vent was supposed to be replaced or whether a drip is covered, the answer should be on paper, not in two people's memories.
The Government of Alberta's advice is to always insist on a written contract, and it points out that once you sign one, it's legally binding. Many roofers combine the itemized quote and the contract into one signed document. That's fine, as long as everything below is covered. For reading the quote itself, start with how to read a roofing quote.
This article covers what the contract should contain. The Alberta legal detail on licences and cancellation lives in its own articles, linked where it comes up.
Who's on it: the parties and their licence numbers
The contract should name both sides properly: your name and the property address, and the contractor's full legal business name, address and phone number. A first name and a cell number isn't a business.
It should carry licence numbers too. The City of Calgary says contractors must hold a valid City business licence, and lists the business licence number as something a written agreement should include. If the contractor takes any money before the job is finished, Calgary's advice also notes they must be licensed with the Government of Alberta as a prepaid contractor. You can look that up yourself. How it works is explained in Alberta's prepaid contractor licence.
Alberta's contract checklist adds one more thing: if any of the work will be subcontracted, the contract should say so.
The full scope, and the materials by name
The scope is the list of work. It should match the itemized quote: tear-off, decking terms, underlayment, where the ice and water shield goes, drip edge, flashing (new or reused), pipe boots, ventilation, starter, ridge cap and cleanup. If the quote and the contract disagree, get it fixed before you sign, not after.
Materials should be named by brand, product line and colour. "Laminated shingle" is a category. A named product tells you exactly what's going on your roof and which manufacturer warranty applies. Alberta's checklist asks for the type and quality of materials, and Calgary's asks for material and product specifications, including warranty information. At minimum, look for:
- Shingle brand, product line and colour.
- The underlayment and ice and water shield products.
- Ventilation products, and how many.
- The hip and ridge cap product.
- Anything specifically excluded.
Price, change orders and the payment schedule
Price. The total, whether tax is included, and unit prices for anything that can vary, such as extra decking by the sheet.
Change orders. A change order is a written amendment to the contract that says what's changing, why, and what it costs. The contract should say changes happen only by change order, signed by you before the extra work is done. Alberta's guidance is that any change to the contract should have your written approval and a signed statement from the contractor.
Payment schedule. Alberta's checklist calls for a clearly itemized payment schedule. It should show any deposit, any progress payments and the final payment, and what triggers each one. Ask whether a deposit is refundable, and under what conditions. The same guidance flags a warning sign worth remembering: a contractor who demands a large down payment to buy materials.
Liens. The City of Calgary advises checking for liens on your property before you make the final payment, because unpaid suppliers can register them against your title. Builders' liens in Alberta explains how that works.
Start and completion, and the warranty in writing
Roofing depends on weather, so nobody honest can promise an exact date weeks away. The contract should still give an estimated start and an expected completion, plus how you'll be told about delays. Calgary's hiring advice lists estimated start and completion dates as contract items, and Alberta's advice includes start and completion dates in a written estimate.
Warranty terms belong in writing, and they come in two parts. The workmanship warranty is the contractor's promise about the installation: how long it lasts, what it covers, what voids it and how you make a claim. The manufacturer warranty is the shingle maker's, set out in the manufacturer's own documents. A contract that just says "lifetime warranty" without saying whose, and on what, hasn't told you anything.
Cleanup, insurance and permits
Cleanup. Say who removes the debris and how. On a roof that means a disposal bin and a magnet sweep of the lawn, garden beds and driveway for nails. Alberta's checklist includes a statement that the contractor is responsible for removing all debris.
Insurance. The contractor should carry liability insurance for damage to your property or injury to others. Calgary's advice is to ask for a certificate of insurance as part of your contract, and Alberta's guidance recommends an insurance certificate showing public liability and property damage coverage. A certificate comes from the insurer. A verbal "yes, we're covered" doesn't count.
Permits and codes. The contract should say who gets any required permit and that the work will meet local codes. Alberta's guidance says the homeowner is ultimately responsible for making sure permits are in place before work starts, so don't leave it unsaid.
Cancellation rights and what happens if you disagree
Alberta's contract checklist includes a statement of your cancellation rights and a dispute resolution process. Both matter more than people expect.
Cancellation. Alberta's Consumer Protection Act has specific rules for cancelling direct sales contracts, which include many contracts signed at your home. The time limits, what triggers them and how to give notice are set by law, and they're explained in cancelling a contract in Alberta. A good contract explains your rights plainly instead of burying them.
Disputes. Look for a clause that says what happens if you disagree: who you contact first, how a warranty claim is made, and whether there's a step such as mediation before anyone goes to court.
And take your time. The Competition Bureau's advice on door-to-door sales is simple: don't feel pressured into a quick decision, and don't sign anything without reading the fine print.
Do I need a written contract for a roof replacement?
Yes. Alberta's consumer guidance says to always insist on a written contract, and a signed one is legally binding on both sides. It's also the document you'll need for any warranty claim or insurance paperwork later.
How much deposit should a roofing contractor ask for?
There's no single right number, and we won't invent one. What matters is that any deposit is written into the payment schedule, you know whether it's refundable, and a contractor taking money before the work is done at your home holds an Alberta prepaid contracting licence. Be wary of a large up-front payment demanded to buy materials.
Can I cancel a roofing contract after I sign it?
Sometimes. Alberta's Consumer Protection Act gives cancellation rights on certain contracts, including many signed at your home, and the rules depend on how and where the contract was made. Cancelling a contract in Alberta walks through them.
What if the roofer finds rot and wants to charge more?
That's what the change-order clause is for. The contract should already include a rate for replacing damaged decking. The contractor should show you the problem, write up a change order with the cost, and get your signature before doing the extra work.
Should the contract name the shingle brand?
Yes: brand, product line and colour. It's the only way to know exactly what's going on your roof and which manufacturer warranty applies to it.
Where the facts on this page come from. If a source has changed since we last checked, tell us and we'll fix the page.
- Hiring a contractor · Government of Alberta
- Prepaid contracting licence · Government of Alberta
- Hiring a contractor · City of Calgary
- Door-to-door scams · Competition Bureau Canada