9 Mistakes to Avoid When Comparing Roof Quotes in Winnipeg

You’ve collected three roof quotes. The numbers vary by thousands of dollars. One contractor promises to finish in two days. Another insists you need ice and water shield on every inch of your roof. A third is half the price of the others.

Now what?

Comparing roof quotes feels like decoding a foreign language. Most Winnipeg homeowners make the same errors when reviewing proposals, and those mistakes cost them money, time, and stress down the road.

Here are the nine most common mistakes property owners make when comparing roof quotes, and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Choosing Based on Price Alone

The lowest quote looks tempting. You save $3,000 or $5,000 upfront. But those savings disappear when you need repairs two years later or when the contractor ghosts you after installation.

Price matters, but it tells you nothing about quality, materials, or service.

Low quotes often mean corners get cut. Maybe the contractor skips proper ventilation. Maybe they use thinner shingles rated for 20 years instead of 30. Maybe their crew rushes through your job to move on to the next one.

High quotes don’t guarantee quality either. Some contractors charge premium rates without delivering premium work.

Instead of picking the cheapest or most expensive option, compare what you get for your money. Look at material specifications, installation methods, and warranty terms. A mid-range quote with proper materials and experienced crews often delivers better long-term value than the extremes.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Material Specifications

Your quote says “shingles” or “membrane.” That’s not enough information.

Winnipeg roofs experience significant temperature swings, ranging from minus 40 degrees in January to plus 35 degrees in July. Your materials need to handle that stress. Not all products perform equally well.

Ask specific questions about every material:

• What brand and model of shingles will be installed?
• What is the temperature rating for cold-weather applications?
• What thickness is the underlayment?
• Which type of starter strip will be used?
• What ice and water protection goes where?

Two quotes might both mention “architectural shingles,” but one uses entry-level products with a 25-year rating while the other specifies impact-resistant shingles with a 50-year rating. That difference matters when hail hits your neighborhood or when you sell your home.

Get the material specifications in writing. Compare the actual product names and model numbers across quotes. Then research those products to understand what you’re buying.

Mistake 3: Overlooking Warranty Details

Every quote mentions warranties. Few homeowners read the fine print.

You need to understand three separate warranties:

• The manufacturer’s material warranty covers defects in the shingles or membrane
• Contractor workmanship warranty covering installation errors
• Extended system warranties that cover both materials and labor

A manufacturer might offer a 50-year shingle warranty, but read the terms. Many provide full coverage for 10 years, then reduce coverage annually after that. By year 30, you might only get 40 percent of your money back if the shingles fail.

Workmanship warranties vary widely. Some contractors offer one year. Others provide 10 or 15 years. This coverage protects you if the installation causes leaks or failures.

Ask these questions about warranties:

• How many years of workmanship coverage do you provide?
• Is the workmanship warranty transferable if I sell my home?
• What voids the warranty?
• Will you register the manufacturer’s warranty for me?
• What does the warranty actually cover?

Get warranty terms in writing before you sign anything. A company offering 10-year workmanship coverage shows more confidence in their work than one offering just one year.

Mistake 4: Not Verifying Insurance and Licensing

You assume every roofing contractor carries proper insurance. Many don’t.

In Manitoba, roofing contractors need Workers Compensation Board coverage and liability insurance. If a crew member falls off your roof and the contractor lacks WCB coverage, you could face liability. If they damage your property and don’t have liability insurance, you pay for repairs.

Before you hire anyone, verify:

• Current WCB coverage with an account number you can verify online
• General liability insurance with at least $2 million coverage
• Business license, if required in your municipality

Ask for proof. Real contractors provide this information immediately. Those who hesitate or make excuses are taking shortcuts that put you at risk.

Check references, too. Call three previous customers. Ask about communication, cleanup, and whether the project finished on time and on budget. A contractor’s past performance predicts their future behavior.

Mistake 5: Accepting Vague Scope of Work Descriptions

Your quote lists “remove old shingles, install new roof.” That’s not the scope of work. That’s a sentence.

You need details about every step of the project:

• Will they remove one layer or multiple layers?
• How will they protect your landscaping, deck, and siding?
• What happens to damaged plywood or boards?
• Will they install new vents, or reuse existing ones?
• How will they handle flashing around chimneys and skylights?
• What cleanup and disposal methods will they use?

Vague scopes create problems. A contractor might quote for one layer removal, then charge extra when they discover two layers. They might not include new pipe boots or step flashing in their price.

Compare the level of detail across quotes. Detailed proposals show a contractor who inspected your roof carefully and planned the job properly. Vague quotes suggest rushed estimates that will lead to change orders and unexpected costs.

Mistake 6: Disregarding Timeline and Crew Size

One quote promises completion in two days. Another estimates five to seven days for the same job. Why the difference?

Crew size and experience affect timelines. A skilled crew of five can strip and reroof a typical Winnipeg bungalow in two to three days during good weather. A crew of two takes longer. An inexperienced crew makes mistakes that require fixes.

Short timelines sound appealing, but rushed work causes problems. Shingles need proper nailing patterns. Flashing requires careful installation. Ventilation systems need correct placement. A crew that rushes misses details.

Ask about crew size and timeline. Be suspicious of extremely fast timelines unless the contractor explains how they’ll achieve them. Weather delays happen in Winnipeg, so realistic contractors build buffer time into their estimates.

Also, ask what happens if the weather delays the project. Will they return quickly, or will your half-finished roof sit exposed while they move to other jobs?

Mistake 7: Failing to Clarify Payment Terms

Payment schedules vary significantly between contractors. Some want money up front. Others work on different terms.

Typical payment structures include:

• Deposit at signing, usually 10 to 30 percent
• Progress payment when materials arrive
• Final payment upon completion

Never pay the full amount up front. You lose leverage if problems arise. A contractor who demands full payment before starting work is either desperate for cash or planning to disappear.

Understand what triggers each payment. “Upon completion” should mean after final inspection, cleanup, and your approval. Not when the crew leaves your property.

Get payment terms in writing. Include what constitutes completion and how disputes get resolved. Clear payment terms protect both parties and prevent misunderstandings.

Mistake 8: Skipping the Fine Print on Additional Costs

Your quote looks complete until you read the exclusions. “Does not include plywood replacement” appears in small print at the bottom. Now your $8,000 quote becomes $10,000 when the crew discovers damaged decking.

Common exclusions and additional costs include:

• Plywood or board replacement
• Additional layer removal beyond one layer
• Skylight reflashing or replacement
• Chimney repairs or tuckpointing
• Fascia or soffit repairs
• Permit fees
• Disposal fees beyond a certain weight

Ask what’s included and what’s excluded. Get prices for common additional work before you sign. A contractor should be able to give you a per-sheet price for plywood replacement or a per-foot price for fascia boards.

Some damage only becomes visible after removing old shingles. Responsible contractors explain this upfront and provide pricing for potential issues. Contractors who promise a fixed price no matter what often cut corners to stay within budget.

Mistake 9: Not Considering Company Reputation and Longevity

A new company offers a great price and promises excellent service. Then they go out of business two years later when your roof develops a leak. Your warranty means nothing.

Company longevity matters. A roofing company operating in Winnipeg for 10 or 15 years has survived winters, trained crews, built supplier relationships, and satisfied thousands of customers. They’ll likely be around to honor their warranties.

Research each contractor:

• How long have they operated in Winnipeg?
• Do they have an established location or work from a truck?
• What do online reviews say about their service?
• Are they members of professional associations?
• Do they participate in continuing education?

Newer companies aren’t automatically bad, but they carry more risk. If you choose a newer contractor, make sure they offer solid insurance coverage and clear warranty terms.

Check their online presence too. Established companies maintain updated websites, respond to reviews, and show recent project photos. Fly-by-night operations have bare-bones websites or no web presence at all.

What Good Roof Quotes Look Like

After reviewing these common mistakes, you can spot quality quotes quickly. Good proposals include:

• Detailed material specifications with brand names and model numbers
• Clear scope of work describing every project phase
• Specific timeline with crew size information
• Complete warranty terms for both materials and workmanship
• Transparent payment schedule tied to project milestones
• Contact information and proof of insurance
• References from recent projects

Compare quotes side by side using these criteria. Create a spreadsheet if that helps you organize information. Look beyond the bottom-line price to understand total value.

Your Roof Protects Your Investment

Your roof isn’t just shingles and nails. It protects your largest financial investment from Winnipeg’s brutal weather. A quality installation with proper materials lasts 30 to 50 years. A cheap rush job fails in 10.

Take time to compare quotes properly. Ask questions until you understand exactly what each contractor offers. Check references, verify insurance, and read warranty terms.

The right contractor communicates clearly, uses quality materials, and stands behind their work. They answer questions without pressure and provide detailed information freely.

Your roof replacement or repair represents a significant investment. Make that investment count by choosing based on complete information, not just price. The few extra hours you spend comparing quotes properly can save you thousands of dollars and years of headaches.

All Weather Exteriors has protected Winnipeg homes for almost 2 decades. We provide detailed quotes that explain exactly what you get, use materials rated for Manitoba’s climate, and back our work with comprehensive warranties. When you’re ready to discuss your roof project, we’ll give you the information you need to make a confident decision.