Roof Repair in Ontario
We connect homeowners anywhere in Ontario with a local roofing contractor, starting with a free roof inspection. We don’t have offices across the province. We arrange a roofer who works in your area, and you decide what happens next.
Call 1 (833) 435-4261 Book a free roof inspection
How it works in Ontario
- Call or book online with your postal code and what’s going on.
- We arrange a roofing contractor who works in your area to inspect the roof free of charge.
- You get the findings, and a written quote if you want one. Nothing is signed at the inspection.
Timing depends on where you are and how busy local roofers are, especially after big storms. We’ll tell you honestly when you call.
Ontario roofing rules every homeowner should know
Permits are set by your city, not the province
There’s no single Ontario rule for roofing permits. Most municipalities don’t require a building permit for a like-for-like re-shingle, but each words it differently, and the conditions matter:
| City | What its official permit page says |
|---|---|
| Toronto | No permit to replace roofing material “provided no structural work is required” |
| Hamilton | No permit to re-shingle with the same material, but repairing roof sheathing needs a permit |
| Barrie | No permit to re-shingle only if there’s no increase in weight; dormers, skylights and solar need one |
| Waterloo | No permit to re-shingle if you remove the old shingles |
| Oakville | A heritage permit is needed to replace roofing material on designated heritage properties |
| Ottawa | Asphalt shingles are exempt, except on designated heritage buildings and in Heritage District Overlays |
| Chatham-Kent | Asphalt re-shingling is exempt, but a Conservation Authority permit may apply |
Your roofer should confirm with your city before starting. Details for each city are on the city pages below.
Roofer certification is voluntary
In Ontario, roofer (trade 449A) is a non-compulsory trade. Certification exists but isn’t required, and certified roofers don’t appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario public register. A “licensed roofer” claim can’t easily be checked. Ask these instead:
- Insurance: can they show liability insurance?
- WSIB: construction businesses generally need WSIB coverage. Contractors doing only home renovation work paid directly by the homeowner are exempt for themselves, but must register if they have employees.
- References: Ontario’s consumer guidance notes that roofing problems often don’t show up for a year or more, so ask about older jobs too.
Your consumer rights
Under Ontario’s consumer protection rules:
- Renovation and repair contracts over $50 must be in writing.
- If you sign a contract in your home, you have a 10-day cooling-off period to cancel for any reason.
- Keep the deposit small. The province suggests no more than 10%.
- The final price generally can’t be more than 10% over the estimate unless you approve new work.
- Be wary of door-to-door “free inspections” that end in pressure to sign. The Government of Ontario warns about exactly this.
Source: Your rights when starting home renovations or repairs, Government of Ontario.
Ontario weather and your roof
Storms: Ontario leads Canada
- Ontario recorded the most tornadoes of any province in 2024: 50 over land, plus 10 over water (Northern Tornadoes Project, Western University).
- The May 21, 2022 derecho caused over $720 million in insured damage in Ontario (Insurance Bureau of Canada).
- The March 2025 ice storm in Ontario and Quebec was Canada’s costliest severe-weather event of 2025 (IBC).
If a storm damages your roof, see emergency roof repair.
“Ontario winter” isn’t one thing
Freeze-thaw cycles, when the temperature swings across 0°C in a day, drive ice dams and shingle wear. Environment Canada’s climate normals show how much that varies:
| Place (weather station) | Snowfall / yr | Freeze-thaw days / yr |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Toronto | 122 cm | 55 |
| Chatham | 79 cm | 73 |
| Windsor | 129 cm | 72 |
| Ottawa | 223 cm | 77 |
| Hamilton | 157 cm | 82 |
| London | 194 cm | 86 |
| Barrie | 223 cm | 91 |
| Kitchener-Waterloo | 160 cm | 94 |
Winter leaks are usually ice dams: heat from the attic melts roof snow, which refreezes at the cold eaves and backs water under the shingles. Natural Resources Canada notes that a well-sealed, well-insulated attic “results in a cool roof and generally will also not have ice dams.” More on ice dams.
Older homes, older roofs
About 49% of Ontario households live in homes built before 1981, and 5.7% of dwellings need major repairs (Statistics Canada, 2021 Census). The mix varies a lot by city: from 8% pre-1981 in Vaughan to 74% in Chatham-Kent.
Services across Ontario
Roof repair · Roof leak repair · Flat roof repair · Emergency roof repair · Free roof inspection · Roof replacement
Cities
Greater Toronto & Hamilton: Toronto · Mississauga · Brampton · Vaughan · Oakville · Hamilton Eastern Ontario: Ottawa Central & Niagara: Barrie · St. Catharines Southwestern Ontario: London · Kitchener · Waterloo · Windsor · Sarnia · Chatham-Kent
Your town isn’t listed? We still cover it. Call 1 (833) 435-4261 or book online.
Common questions
Do you really cover all of Ontario? Yes. We arrange a roofing contractor who works in your area. Response times vary by location and season.
Is the inspection really free? Yes, the inspection and the explanation of what’s found are free, with no obligation. If you want work done, you’ll get a written quote.
Who actually does the work? An independent roofing contractor. Your contract is with them. How we work.
Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Ontario? It depends on your city and the work. See the table above and your city page.