By Emma Peterson. 

RCABC’s consumer guides and FAQs help bridge the knowledge gap between property owners and roofing professionals, creating more informed conversations and better project outcomes. 

At the Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia (RCABC), their team is not only dedicated to “becom[ing] the definitive source for professionals within the roofing industry” but also to helping “consumers looking to educate themselves on what goes into proper roofing design, installation and repair.”  

With that goal in mind, they created a comprehensive guide that walks consumers through the process of selecting the right roofing service provider for their project. This is an extensive document (over 100 pages!) that shares “everything you ever wanted to know about roofing – and probably a few things you don’t.”  

To make sure consumers can get quick, accessible answers to common questions, RCABC created a quick FAQ (frequently asked questions) page. Here’s an excerpt from that page:  

I obtained estimates from two different roofing companies and they didn’t agree, either on price or work needed. What should I do?  

If there is a debate about work needed, this would be a good time to engage an Observer 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.  

As for cost differences, make sure that you provided each company doing an estimate with the same specifications. A low price can signal shortcomings in the reliability of the roofing company and experience of the estimator and actual crew. Again, it may also be prudent to call an observation company to help. 

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.  

When is the best time, or season, to replace a roof?  

If you have your roof done in the spring or fall, you will generally find better availability and faster service.  

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 the details of 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. 

Between this helpful FAQ and the extensive consumer guide, RCABC has not only created great resources for home and business owners embarking on a roofing project, but also a useful assets for contractors to share with clients who are confused or unsure of the roofing process.   

Check out the guide and the FAQ!

By Emma Peterson. 

RCABC's resources, membership network and RoofStar Guarantee help strengthen connections between roofing professionals and customers while advancing quality throughout the industry. 

Over 60 years ago, the Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia (RCABC) was founded with a simple goal: “To bring together professional roofing contractors, manufacturers and suppliers who are dedicated to the promotion and protection of the public interest in everything that relates to roofing.” To this day, they continue to pursue this mission of uplifting roofing professionals and the standards of the industry. In pursuit of this, they have made connecting high-quality and reliable roofers with customers a priority. 

How does RCABC connect contractors and clients? First and foremost, they offer countless resources to guide home and business owners through the roofing process. For example, they have an entire section of their FAQ dedicated to questions to ask contractors, such as if they are Red Seal tickets and if they have a “letter of clearance” from WorkSafeBC. Not only does this help customers know what to look for in a contractor, but it also means that customers come into conversations with contractors more informed, confident and ready to buy. 

Building on this, they host a membership directory that showcases a variety of roofers and other professionals who have joined RCABC and have already passed many of those preliminary checks.  

And last but not least, RCABC hosts the RoofStar Guarantee. This is the first “roofing guarantee that’s backed by both the contractor who does the work and the RCABC itself.” Only available to RCABC members, this guarantee supports both contractors and their clients. For contractors, it is a powerful way to show potential customers your dedication to the roofing trade and the protection of their project. For clients, it offers “assurance that quality materials will be installed to specific, industry-leading standards by professional roofing contractors.” 

Overall, these are three of the ways that RCABC works to make it easier for customers to find reliable, high-quality contractors and for contractors to showcase their skills and dedication to the trade. By doing this, RCABC is going beyond helping individuals and even specific companies – they are helping build up the standards of quality of the entire roofing industry.