Frequently Asked Questions

A roof replacement on a typical Calgary house with architectural asphalt shingles usually lands between $10,000 and $24,000, or roughly $5 to $8.50 per square foot of roof. Impact-resistant Class 4 shingles add about 10 to 20 percent. The size of the roof, its pitch and height, how many layers come off, how much decking needs replacing, and the shingle line you choose are what move the price. Compare quotes line by line rather than by the total.

Small repairs such as replacing a few wind-blown shingles or a cracked vent boot often cost $300 to $1,000. Flashing, valley or moderate leak repairs are usually $1,000 to $3,000, and repairs involving rotted decking can reach $5,000 or more. Emergency and after-hours calls commonly cost 30 to 50 percent more.

A good quote names the scope in writing: tear-off and disposal, how much decking replacement is included and the price per sheet beyond that, the underlayment and eave protection, flashings, vents, the exact shingle or membrane product, cleanup, the start and completion dates, the payment schedule and the warranty. In Alberta, a contract of $200 or more with a business that takes payment before the work is finished must be in writing and include itemized prices, the total with taxes, and a statement of your cancellation rights.

It can be if you plan to stay a long time. Metal lasts much longer than asphalt, sheds snow and resists fire, but the City of Calgary's own comparison puts steel at roughly 185 percent more than standard asphalt shingles. Large hail can dent metal, and some policies treat dents as cosmetic damage, so check how your insurer handles it before choosing a smooth panel.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says standard home insurance policies cover damage caused by hail or wind. Photograph the damage, report it to your insurer promptly, and expect to complete a proof-of-loss form. Only your insurer can tell you what your policy covers and what your deductible is. The City of Calgary advises contacting your insurer before you do any repair work.

Take your time. The Insurance Bureau of Canada advises confirming who a contractor is, who they work for, and whether your insurer referred them before you authorize any work. In Alberta, door-to-door salespeople must carry ID showing their business licence number, a business that takes a deposit before finishing the job must hold a prepaid contracting licence, and you can cancel a contract signed at your door for any reason within 10 days of receiving your copy.

The City of Calgary says Class 4 shingles reduce the chance of hail damage 15 times and pay for themselves in about five years on average. The Insurance Bureau of Canada says a majority of insurers offer home insurance savings of up to 50 percent when hail-resistant materials are in place, so ask your insurer what discount you would get. The City's Resilient Roofing rebate for Class 4 roofs is closed.

Not for a like-for-like re-roof. Alberta's Permit Regulation exempts re-roofing with a similar type of material when there is no structural change and health or safety is not at risk, and the City of Calgary lists roofing materials among repairs that do not need a permit. Changing to a heavier material such as clay tile, structural work, or a larger or smaller skylight does need a permit. Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere and Okotoks each issue their own permits, so check with your own municipality.

The National Building Code – 2023 Alberta Edition, in force since May 1, 2024. For shingle roofs in a climate as cold as Calgary's it requires eave protection running at least 900 mm up the slope and at least 300 mm past the inside face of the exterior wall, and attic vent area of at least 1/300 of the insulated ceiling area, split between high and low vents.

It can. Alberta's occupational health and safety guidance lists roofing materials among the products that may contain asbestos and says buildings put up before 1990 carry a higher risk. If your home is older, ask the contractor how they will check before tear-off. Alberta requires asbestos-containing material to be removed by trained, competent workers and disposed of at an approved landfill.

There is no provincial trade licence for roofers in Alberta. What you can check is the Service Alberta prepaid contracting licence, which any business that takes money before the work is finished on your home must hold; search it on Service Alberta's licence lookup or call 1-877-427-4088. The Safety Codes Council certifies building inspectors, not contractors.

Ask for a WCB-Alberta clearance letter, which you can request free online. It states whether the contractor has WCB coverage and whether the account is in good standing. WCB-Alberta says that if you hire a contractor without coverage, you could be responsible for their unpaid premiums.

Keep it small and in writing. Alberta's consumer protection guidance warns against contractors who demand large down payments or quote a price without seeing your property, and recommends written contracts with a holdback until the work is done. A business that takes any deposit must hold a prepaid contracting licence, and if it does not, your right to cancel extends to up to a year.

Heat escaping into the attic melts snow on the roof, the water runs down to the cold eave and refreezes, and the next melt backs up under the shingles. Chinooks make it worse: Calgary sees dozens of chinook days a year and more than a hundred freeze-thaw cycles. The City of Calgary's advice is to improve attic insulation and ventilation, and to install ice-and-water shield over the whole roof when you replace it.

After any hail or strong wind event, before buying a house with an older roof, and every few years once the roof passes about 15 years. Many roofers inspect free when quoting a replacement; for a purchase or an insurance dispute, an independent paid inspection from someone who is not bidding on the work is worth the $150 to $700.

No. Calgary Roof Repairs is a free matching service that connects Calgary homeowners with local roofing contractors listed in the Calgary Construction Network directory. We do not inspect, repair or install roofs ourselves. Before hiring, ask for the contractor's Alberta prepaid contracting licence and a WCB-Alberta clearance letter, and get the contract in writing.

Nothing. Tell us what is going on with your roof and we send your request on to local roofing contractors who reply by email. There is no obligation to hire anyone, and no phone number is needed.