My homeowners insurance covers me!
It won’t. When inviting a contractor onto your property to perform work, the responsibility is yours to ensure that contractor has adequate liability insurance. Always ask for a current policy as proof of insurance. Everyone claims to have it, many do not.
WSIB (workmen’s compensation) is also required. In Ontario you must have this. Ask for it! Any person telling you they carry private insurance, or their workmen have their own clearance slips,
do not deal with these companies! WSIB is required by law in Ontario. You, the
homeowner is personally liable for injury, accident and death benefits if your contractor has no coverage.
Always get it in writing.
All shingles are equal.
Not true. There are two basic types. Organic & Fiberglass. They are both asphalt shingles, however, the mat (the part that the asphalt and coloured stone coating are applied to) differs. One is glass fiber the other is wood fiber. As well, as with any product, there are better and poorer quality products available. Most fibreglass product being sold by roofing contractors today is American import. There are really good American products available, although not cheap
(CERTAINTEED).
Fiberglass is popular with shingle manufacturers because it is cheaper to produce.
Bottom line!
Is one better than the other? I like the organic for the standard 3-tab shingle and fibreglass in the heavier laminated architectural series shingles. As for manufacturers I prefer
IKO Industries – Canadian made products.
All installed roofing is the same.
Don’t be fooled. It’s not! When you purchase a new car you decide on the model, options, warranty, etc. then shop for the best price. You still arrive home with the same car.
Not so with a new roof. Many companies are what I call shingle changers. They are not really roofing contractors in the sense that they don’t possess the knowledge, skills or equipment to do other than change shingles. A TOPS roof is fully optioned. As a roof comprises a great deal more than just shingles, we remove & replace absolutely everything. All metal work, flashings, copings, valleys, saddles, chimney pans, step flashings etc. are measured & custom made for your home in our metal shop. All metal is 26 gauge coloured steel. All installed metal work is finished with a colour-matched caulking. Ventilation requirements are assessed and upgraded as required.
Manufacturers warranty specifications and stipulated applications are strictly adhered to, including ventilation and underlayment requirements. Electric, thermostatically controlled attic ventilation units can also be installed for those warm second story homes. Simply put, your roof is replaced as a system. One designed to last.
The best warranteed shingles will not last on a poorly or incorrectly install roof.
All roofing companies are similar.
Fooled again!
When I started installing roofing in the Mississauga, Oakville & Burlington areas 27 years ago the phone book may have contained a dozen companies throughout these areas. Have you looked lately? Three reasons why.
- Increase in population and housing density.
- There are no governing agencies or bodies overseeing the residential roofing industry. To start a roofing business you simply go to The City of Mississauga – Licensing. You give them a police clearance and 125.00 and you get a roofing/renovators license. You take all this to the adjoining municipalities, pay the fee and receive licensing here also. You can then hire whoever you wish to install roofing, as only the company requires a license. The only thing that has changed as far as I’m aware, is you must now provide proof of liability insurance.
One too many claims for property damage against uninsured contractors!
- Technology. Air compressors & nailing guns. At one time all roofing was hand nailed. Today 90 % is air nailed. In most cases it’s faster. This translates to time equals money, equals profits. Speed, however, is no substitute for quality.
Learning to hand nail is a slow process that may take several years to develop any kind of reasonable speed at. During this time one learns correct installation techniques and develops pride in the quality of their workmanship. The speed develops gradually through repetition. Air nailers on the other hand are instantly fast, enabling quick installation, yet creating a market place saturated with inexperience and poorly installed roofs.
At Tops Roofing our employees can install your new roof using either application. Installation time is the same. Believe it or not! There are many people available to change shingles, yet there are few good roofers!
Shingle warranties
All asphalt shingle warranties are created equal. Wheather you purchase IKO, BP, CRC or an American variety, the warranties are the same in that they are all pro rated. Simply, the amount of replacement coverage, in the event there should ever be a problem with the shingles, diminishes each year. All shingle manufacturers offer full protection only for the first 3 – 5 years. Their warranties, however, cover only material & labour and exclude
tear off and
disposal costs.
ShieldPRO plus +
This is an extended warranty offered
only by
IKO through selected contractors. Selected for their expertise, professionalism and proven record of customer satisfaction & appreciation in the residential roofing marketplace.
Here's what you get:
- IKO Iron Clad protection for 10 years.
- Tear Off protection for 10 years.
- Disposal protection for 10 years (exclusively offered by TOPS ROOFING CO.)
- 15 year (BEST IN THE BUSINESS) installation warranty.
- A minimum 25 year shingle warranty.
- IKO ARMOUR GAURD ice & water shield membrane eaves protection, plus sealing for other rooftop structures such as chimneys, dormers, stacks, and skylights, prior to shingle installation.
- IKO recognized installation practices and procedures
- Customer product registration.
Is it for you?
At TOPS we realize that an extended warranty , however attractive, may not suit your needs. We at TOPS are neither recommending nor endorsing this program. We are simply making it an available option to our customers, as provided to us by the manufacturer.
Your quotation price is high.
Compared to what?
When comparing quotations make sure you are comparing apples to apples. There are qualified companies priced higher than ourselves, however, there are many lower priced companies as well. Use our contractor checklist and ask a low priced competitor to install your roof exactly as ours. For the most part they won’t be able to, and certainly not for the price quoted you.
Our pricing is carefully calculated and based on cost. The cost to provide you with the best service, materials and installation available while maintaining marginal profitability and company longevity within your community.
Lets face it. You can always buy a cheaper anything. Always be an informed consumer and beware of what you are buying.
Completion times
Most homes are completed in one day or less. There aren’t many we cannot complete the same day. We will give you a completion time on your quotation. Companies taking several days for completion are less than professional and generally inexperienced. Always ask! This is an excellent indicator.
Other concerns
Any other questions or concerns you might have that we have not covered in this package, please give us a call. We’ll be more than happy to assist you in any way we can.
Tops Roofing Co.'s Contractor Checklist
