How do I check if a roofer is an RCABC member?

Greater Victoria has a large residential roofing market and a smaller commercial one, and RCABC's membership has historically leaned toward firms doing commercial and institutional flat-roof work. That means many of the crews re-shingling ranchers in Gordon Head and Colwood are not members and never needed to be, while the firms quoting torch-on on strata buildings in Langford or a large custom roof in the Uplands often are. The absence of membership on a $10,000 laminate re-roof quote is unremarkable; its presence on a flat-roof job is worth something.

Names cause confusion locally. Roofing companies here trade under short names, get bought, and share surnames, and the member listing uses legal names. Match the name on the listing to the name on the quote, the insurance certificate and the WorkSafeBC clearance letter; a Saanich company that is 'basically the same people' as a listed member is not a member.

First, ask. A member will say so and will usually mention the RoofStar guarantee unprompted. Second, look the firm up on the association's website under its legal name and compare it with the name on the quote. Third, ask what guarantee term the job qualifies for and whether the association's observers will visit; a member that cannot answer those questions for your job may not be running it through the program, which is where the value of membership actually sits.

If the name on the listing does not match the quote, ask why before assuming the worst; trade names are common. If the contractor claims membership and does not appear at all, move on.

It tells you the company has met the association's requirements and can offer a third-party guarantee backed by inspections. It does not tell you the crew on your roof is the company's own, that the price is fair, that the firm suits a small residential job, or that the warranty terms are better than a non-member's. Members can be over-qualified and over-priced for a simple gable; excellent non-members do most of the region's residential work.

The association's Consumer Guide to Roofing is a useful neutral read whichever way you go: it sets out questions to ask any contractor.

Put the two side by side on the same scope.

• Is the guarantee itemised, with its term and cost? If not, you are not paying for it and should not credit it
• Are underlayment, flashing, ventilation and decking allowance identical? Differences there usually explain the price gap
• Does the non-member offer a written workmanship warranty of five years or more from a firm with a local track record?
• For flat, strata or very large roofs, weight the guarantee heavily; for a simple laminate re-roof, weight the scope and references
• Both should produce a WorkSafeBC clearance letter and insurance certificate without being chased