Discovering that a roofer did poor work — a leak that appears months after installation, shingles that blow off in the first storm, flashing that was never properly sealed — is one of the most frustrating homeowner experiences. Roofing failures are expensive, slow to reveal themselves, and sometimes complicated to attribute. Here’s what to do, in order.

“Document everything before you call anyone. A photo of a leaking ceiling tells a story, but a photo of the improperly installed flashing that caused it tells the real story. If you can safely get on the roof or into the attic and document what you see before a repair is made, that evidence is what makes every subsequent conversation possible.”

— Florian Kocka @ Elite Roofing Inc., GAF Master Elite Roofer with 20 years in the residential roofing sector

Step 1: Document Before Anything Is Repaired

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What to Do If a Roofer Does Bad Work 1

Before you call the roofer, before you call your insurer, before any repair is made:

  • Photograph everything — the interior water damage, the visible roofline from the ground, the attic if you can access it safely
  • Note the date you discovered the issue and what conditions led to it (a specific storm, ongoing rain, etc.)
  • Record the history — when the roof was installed, who installed it, what was promised in the contract and warranty
  • Keep all documents — the original quote, invoice, contract, and any written warranty

This documentation is the foundation of every option that follows.

Step 2: Contact the Roofer in Writing

Notify the roofing company about the issue by email or in writing, so there’s a record. Describe:

  • What the problem is and when you discovered it
  • What damage has resulted
  • Your expectation that the issue is covered under the workmanship warranty

Ask for a response within a defined time frame — five to ten business days is reasonable. If the issue falls within the warranty period, repairs should be done at no charge. Keep a record of all responses.

Step 3: Review Your Warranty and Contract

Go back to your written warranty — the workmanship warranty from the roofer, and the manufacturer warranty on the shingles. What is the coverage period? What types of failures are covered? What’s excluded?

If the failure appears to be a material defect (shingles delaminating, granule loss beyond normal wear), contact the shingle manufacturer directly. Their warranty claims process is typically handled separately from the roofer’s workmanship warranty.

Step 4: Get an Independent Inspection

If the roofer disputes the claim or the cause of the failure is unclear, hire a licensed home inspector or an independent roofing consultant to assess the roof. Their report documents the issue objectively and can be used to support a warranty claim, an insurance claim, or legal action if necessary.

An independent inspection costs $300–$600 but is money well spent when facing a disputed warranty claim on a $15,000 roof.

Step 5: File a Complaint with the Licensing Authority

If the roofer is registered and refuses to remedy defective work, file a complaint with the regional licensing or trades authority:

  • Your region: the relevant trade licensing body (collegeoftrades.Ca)
  • Some regions: your regional safety and consumer-protection authorities
  • All regions: The relevant regional consumer protection office

Also consider filing a complaint with the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association if the company is a member — associations can investigate and apply pressure that regulatory bodies sometimes can’t.

Step 6: Make an Insurance Claim If There Is Property Damage

If the roofing failure caused interior water damage, your homeowner’s insurance may cover the damage to the interior — even if the dispute over who is responsible for the roof repair is unresolved. Contact your insurer, document the damage, and ask about coverage.

If the roofer carries liability insurance, their insurer may also be involved if the failure was due to faulty workmanship. Ask the roofer to initiate a liability claim.

Step 7: Small Claims Court for Unresolved Disputes

If the roofer refuses to remedy the work, disputes responsibility, and other avenues haven’t resolved the situation, small claims court is an option for disputes within the regional limit (up to $35,000 in many regions as of 2026).

You’ll need: the original contract, the warranty documents, the independent inspection report, photographic evidence of the failure and the resulting damage, and records of all communications with the roofer.

Prevention Is Better Than All of This

Every step above is more difficult than asking the right questions before hiring. The roofers who do poor work are almost always the ones who showed warning signs in the quoting process — lack of verifiable credentials, vague warranty commitments, suspiciously low prices.

See: Questions to Ask a Roofer Before You Hire One

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