How to Choose a Roofing Contractor in Stony Plain (Without Getting Ripped Off)

This is the single most important check, and the one most homeowners skip.

WCB (Workers' Compensation Board) coverage protects you if a worker is injured on your property. In Alberta, employers in the construction industry are required to have WCB coverage. If a roofer falls off your roof and they don't have WCB, you — the homeowner — can be held personally liable for their medical costs, lost wages, and rehabilitation.

This isn't theoretical. It happens in Alberta every year.

How to verify:

1. Ask the contractor for their WCB account number

2. Go to [Alberta WCB's verification tool](https://www.wcb.ab.ca/insurance-and-premiums/clearance-letters.html)

3. Enter their company name or account number

4. Confirm their account is in good standing with no outstanding premiums

Red flag: If a contractor hesitates, deflects, or says "we're covered under our umbrella policy," walk away. Legitimate contractors provide their WCB clearance letter without hesitation. Kayan Contracting's WCB account has been in continuous good standing for over two decades — we'll hand you the letter before you ask.

Beyond WCB, your contractor needs Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance. This covers damage to your property during the project — a dropped tool that breaks a skylight, a ladder that scratches your siding, or a fire caused by improper equipment use.

What to look for:

• Minimum $2,000,000 in coverage (industry standard in Alberta)

• Your address should be listed as an "additional insured" on the certificate for the duration of the project

• Coverage must be current — check the policy dates

How to verify: Ask for a Certificate of Insurance. Any legitimate contractor will provide one within 24 hours. Call the insurance company listed on the certificate to confirm it's active.

Red flag: "We have insurance" without documentation. If they can't produce a certificate, they either don't have it or they've let it lapse. Either way, your home is at risk.

A contractor who has been in your community for 10+ years is fundamentally different from one who arrived last season.

Why longevity matters:

• They've survived recessions, which means they don't cut corners to stay afloat

• Their warranty claims are verifiable — you can visit past projects

• They've dealt with your local climate conditions hundreds of times

• They have relationships with local building supply companies (which means better materials access and pricing)

• They care about their reputation because they live here

How to verify:

• Check their Alberta business registration through [Alberta Corporate Registry](https://www.alberta.ca/corporate-registry)

• Search their company name on the [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/) — look for years in business, not just the rating

• Ask for references from projects completed 5+ years ago (not just recent ones). This tests whether their roofs are holding up over time.

Red flag: A company that can't provide references older than 2 years. They may be new, or they may be an old company with a new name — which often means they rebranded to escape bad reviews.

Kayan Contracting has been operating under the same name, with the same owner (Bryan Dewey), from the same Stony Plain location for 22 years. Our BBB rating has been A+ since we joined. Over 1,500 homeowners across Parkland County can verify our work.

A professional quote is more than a number on a page. It's a contract-quality document that specifies exactly what you're getting.

A proper roofing quote must include:

• Scope of work: Exact description of what's being replaced/repaired

• Materials: Specific product names, colours, and manufacturers (e.g., "IKO Cambridge AR, colour: Weatherwood" — not "asphalt shingles")

• Layers: What's included — shingles, underlayment, ice and water shield, flashing, drip edge, ridge cap, ventilation

• Tear-off: Whether old materials are being removed (they should be, in most cases)

• Disposal: Who pays for material disposal and dump fees

• Timeline: Estimated start date and completion date

• Payment terms: When payment is due and in what stages

• Warranty: Both manufacturer warranty and workmanship warranty, with terms in writing

• Exclusions: What's NOT included (e.g., structural repairs to decking if rot is found)

Get three quotes minimum. But don't default to the cheapest one. Compare the scope line by line. We see homeowners get "cheaper" quotes that exclude ice and water shield, use thinner underlayment, or skip proper flashing — saving $500 upfront that costs $5,000 to fix later.

Red flag: A quote that's just a total price without line-item detail. If they can't tell you exactly what products they're using, they're either using whatever's cheapest that day or they haven't actually assessed your roof.

Read our [roofing cost guide for Stony Plain and Spruce Grove](/blog/roofing-cost-guide-stony-plain-spruce-grove-2026) for detailed pricing benchmarks you can use to evaluate quotes.

Major roofing manufacturers like IKO, CertainTeed, GAF, and Owens Corning have preferred/certified contractor programs. These aren't just marketing badges — they represent verified training, quality standards, and enhanced warranty capabilities.

Why this matters to you:

• Certified contractors have completed manufacturer-specific training on proper installation techniques

• They can offer enhanced warranties that uncertified contractors cannot — sometimes extending coverage from 10 years to 30+ years

• The manufacturer will stand behind the warranty because they trust the installer's work

• If a warranty claim arises, you deal with the manufacturer, not just the contractor

For example: As an IKO Preferred Contractor, Kayan Contracting can offer IKO's Iron Clad warranty coverage, which includes both materials AND workmanship — backed by IKO, one of Canada's largest roofing manufacturers. An uncertified installer using the same IKO shingles can only offer a standard material warranty with no workmanship coverage from IKO.

How to verify: Go to the manufacturer's website and search their certified contractor directory. If a contractor claims certification but doesn't appear in the directory, the certification may have lapsed or may never have existed.

Red flag: "We use [brand] products" is not the same as "We are [brand] certified." Anyone can buy and install IKO shingles. Only verified contractors earn the certification.

Warranties are where most homeowners get confused — and where bad contractors hide.

There are two separate warranties on every roofing project:

1. Manufacturer's Material Warranty

• Covers defects in the roofing products themselves

• Typical coverage: 25-50 years (pro-rated or non-prorated depending on product tier)

• Does NOT cover installation errors — only manufacturing defects

• Valid regardless of who installs the product (but enhanced through certified contractors)

2. Contractor's Workmanship Warranty

• Covers the quality of the installation itself

• This is where problems almost always occur — improperly sealed flashing, incorrect nailing patterns, poor ventilation integration

• Coverage varies wildly: from 1 year (bare minimum) to 15+ years

• Only as good as the contractor behind it

The critical question: *"What is your workmanship warranty, and what specifically does it cover?"*

Kayan Contracting offers a 15-year workmanship warranty — one of the longest in Parkland County. Why 15 years? Because we know our installation quality. We've been here 22 years and we plan to be here for 22 more. A warranty is only meaningful if the company will exist to honour it.

Red flags:

• "Lifetime warranty" with no written documentation — what does "lifetime" mean? Whose lifetime?

• Short workmanship warranty (1-2 years) — this tells you the contractor doesn't trust their own work

• No written warranty at all — verbal warranties are worthless in Alberta

• Warranty that excludes "acts of nature" — in Alberta, that excludes almost everything

Pro tip: Ask for a copy of the warranty document BEFORE signing the contract. Read it. If it's vague or full of exclusions, negotiate or walk away.

Over 22 years, we've heard every horror story. Here are the red flags that should send you to the next contractor immediately:

Immediate deal-breakers:

• Demands full payment upfront: Legitimate contractors may request a deposit (10-30%) with the balance due on completion. Anyone demanding full payment before starting work is either undercapitalized or planning to disappear.

• No physical local address: A P.O. box or just a phone number isn't enough. Visit their shop or office. If they don't have one, they're not established enough to trust with your largest home investment.

• Offers to "waive your deductible": This is insurance fraud. Full stop. If they're willing to commit fraud on your behalf, what else are they willing to cut corners on?

• Pressure to sign today: "This price is only good until 5 PM" or "We have a crew available tomorrow but only if you sign now." Legitimate contractors give you time to decide. They want informed clients, not pressured ones.

• Can't provide WCB or insurance on the spot: See points 1 and 2 above.

• No written contract: Everything should be documented. If it's not in writing, it doesn't exist.

• Uses subcontractors they can't name: Ask "Who will be on my roof?" If they can't tell you, they're brokering your project to whoever's available.

• Negative reviews about the same issue: One bad review is noise. Five reviews mentioning the same problem (leaks, warranty avoidance, poor cleanup) is a pattern.

Subtle warning signs:

• Quote is significantly lower than all other quotes (they're either cutting scope or using inferior materials)

• Quote is given without a roof inspection (how can they price what they haven't assessed?)

• They trash-talk other contractors (professionals don't need to tear down competitors)

• Communication is difficult before the project starts (it only gets worse once they have your money)

A professional roofing company has a defined process. Ask these questions and evaluate the answers:

Before the project:

• "Will you do a full roof inspection before quoting?" (They should. A quote without an inspection is a guess.)

• "Do you offer [thermal imaging inspections](/blog/thermal-imaging-saves-money)?" (Not many do. This reveals hidden damage that affects the project scope.)

• "What happens if you find rot or structural damage after tear-off?" (There should be a clear process and pre-agreed pricing for common discoveries.)

• "Who is my point of contact during the project?" (You should have one person to call, not a general line.)

During the project:

• "Will you protect my landscaping, driveway, and outdoor furniture?" (Professional crews use tarps, plywood protection, and magnetic nail sweepers.)

• "How do you handle material staging and debris?" (Materials should be organized, not dumped on your lawn.)

• "What time do you start and finish each day?" (Respect for neighbours and noise bylaws matters.)

After the project:

• "Do you do a final walkthrough with the homeowner?" (Yes. Every time.)

• "How do I submit a warranty claim if something goes wrong?" (There should be a clear, simple process.)

• "Will you provide final photos of the completed work?" (This is your documentation for insurance and resale purposes.)

At Kayan Contracting, our process includes a pre-project thermal imaging scan, daily progress updates, a magnetic nail sweep of your entire property, and a documented walkthrough upon completion. Every [roof replacement](/services/roof-replacement) follows the same quality process, regardless of project size.

Here's the 10-point checklist summarized. Print it, take it to every consultation, and don't compromise:

1. WCB coverage — verified through Alberta WCB, account in good standing

2. Commercial liability insurance — $2M minimum, certificate provided

3. Local track record — 10+ years in your community, same business name

4. Detailed written quote — line-item scope, materials, timeline, warranty

5. Manufacturer certification — listed in the manufacturer's contractor directory

6. Strong workmanship warranty — 10+ years, in writing, with clear terms

7. No red flags — no upfront payment demands, no deductible waivers, no pressure

8. Defined process — inspection, communication plan, cleanup, walkthrough

9. Verifiable references — projects you can visit, reviews you can read

10. Honest communication — tells you what you need, not what they want to sell

A roofing contractor who checks all 10 boxes is worth every dollar. One who checks 7 out of 10 is a gamble. And one who checks 5 or fewer? That's not a contractor — that's a liability.

If you're comparing contractors and want a benchmark, [request a free assessment from Kayan Contracting](/#quote). We'll inspect your roof with thermal imaging, provide a detailed quote, and show you exactly what we recommend and why. Then compare us against anyone else using this checklist. We're confident in the result.

For more information on [roof replacement costs](/blog/roofing-cost-guide-stony-plain-spruce-grove-2026), [metal vs. asphalt options](/blog/metal-roofing-vs-asphalt-shingles-alberta), or [spring maintenance to extend your roof's life](/blog/spring-roof-maintenance-checklist-alberta), explore our other guides.