/ Your Protection

Licensed, Fully Insured, and Bonded

Comprehensive protection for every roofing project. We're licensed by the province, insured against liability, covered by WSIB, and bonded for your peace of mind.

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What You Need to Know About Contractor Licensing and Insurance

Understanding Protection

When you hire a roofing contractor, licensing and insurance are your primary forms of protection. Here's why they matter:

Licensed contractors meet provincial standards

  • They've met minimum training and experience requirements
  • Their work must comply with Ontario Building Code
  • They're subject to regulatory oversight
  • There's a formal complaint process if issues arise
  • They can be held accountable for violations

Insurance protects you from liability

  • If something goes wrong on your property, you're protected
  • Medical bills and legal costs are covered by their insurance
  • You're not personally liable for injuries or property damage
  • Without insurance, you could face substantial personal liability

WSIB coverage protects worker safety

  • Workers injured on your property are covered
  • You're not liable for worker injuries
  • Both employer and you are protected legally
  • Without WSIB, you could face legal liability for injuries

The Bottom Line: Hiring an unlicensed or uninsured contractor might save a few hundred dollars upfront. But one accident, injury, or lawsuit could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Our licensing and insurance aren't just credentials—they're your protection.

Protection Shield Image

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Licensed Contractor in Ontario

Legal Standing

Ontario License

Ontario Contractor License

Burnham Brothers maintains current licensing in Ontario, meeting all provincial requirements for roofing contractors.

What This License Covers:

  • Training and experience verification
  • Compliance with Ontario Building Code
  • Adherence to contractor regulations
  • Authority to obtain building permits
  • Ability to schedule municipal inspections
  • Legal standing to perform roofing work

License Details:

  • Status: Current and Active
  • Renewal: Annual or as required by province
  • Verification: Available upon request

Building Code Compliance

All our work meets or exceeds Ontario Building Code standards:

  • Structural requirements
  • Ventilation specifications
  • Flashing and waterproofing
  • Material specifications
  • Installation methods
  • Safety requirements

Permit and Inspection Process

When required by municipal by-laws, we:

  • Obtain all necessary building permits before starting work
  • Schedule required municipal inspections
  • Ensure work passes all inspections
  • Provide documentation for building records
  • Coordinate with local authorities

Why This Matters:

  • Non-compliant work can cause problems when selling your property
  • Insurance companies may deny claims for unlicensed work
  • Unpermitted work can result in fines or required removal
  • Code compliance protects the safety of your home
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Comprehensive General Liability Insurance

Coverage

General liability insurance protects you if damage occurs during our work or if someone is injured on your property.

What's Covered:

Type Coverage What It Covers
Property Damage Damage to your home or property caused by our work Accidental damage during installation
Bodily Injury Medical costs if someone is injured due to our work Coverage for medical bills and lost wages
Personal Injury Legal costs for personal injury claims Defense and settlement coverage
Products/Completed Work Liability for defects in our work Coverage after project completion
Legal Defense Coverage for legal costs if we're sued Lawyer fees and court costs

Real-World Examples

Our liability insurance covers situations like:

  • We accidentally damage your property while working
  • A crew member is injured on your property
  • Our work causes a water leak into your home
  • Someone is injured by falling materials
  • Damage occurs during project cleanup
  • Issues arise weeks or months after completion

Certificate of Insurance

We provide current Certificates of Insurance (COI) for every project:

  • Shows coverage amounts and types
  • Lists your property as additional insured
  • Confirms active coverage dates
  • Available before work starts
  • Kept on file throughout project

Verification: We're happy to provide proof of insurance. You can verify our coverage directly with our insurance provider upon request.

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Full WSIB Coverage & Worker Protection

Worker Safety

What is WSIB?

WSIB (Workplace Safety & Insurance Board) is Ontario's worker compensation system. It provides coverage for workers injured on the job.

Our WSIB Coverage:

  • All employees are registered with WSIB
  • All subcontractors are WSIB-covered or registered
  • Full coverage for injuries, medical treatment, and lost wages
  • Regular safety audits and compliance checks
  • Current account in good standing

What This Means for You:

If a worker is injured on your property:

  • Their medical costs are covered by WSIB (not your insurance)
  • They receive lost wage replacement through WSIB
  • You're not liable for injury-related costs
  • Workers' compensation system handles claims
  • You're protected from personal liability

Without WSIB:

If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you could be liable for:

  • All medical bills and ongoing medical care
  • Lost wages and rehabilitation costs
  • Legal fees and settlement amounts
  • Potential punitive damages
  • Claims that could cost $50,000+

WSIB Verification:

You can verify our WSIB coverage:

  • Check WSIB account online at wsib.on.ca
  • Request proof of coverage directly from us
  • Ask for our account number (provided upon request)
  • Verify coverage before work begins

Our Account Status:

Status: Active

Coverage: Full coverage for all employees
and registered subcontractors

Details available upon request

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Bonded Business for Extra Protection

Accountability

What Does Bonding Mean?

A bond is a guarantee that we'll fulfill our contractual obligations. If we fail to complete the project or meet our obligations, the bonding company provides compensation.

Our Bonding:

  • Business is bonded for project completion
  • Guarantees work quality and completion
  • Additional layer of customer protection
  • Shows financial stability and accountability
  • Required for many commercial projects

Types of Bonds Available:

  • Performance Bond - Guarantees project completion
  • Payment Bond - Guarantees contractor payments to suppliers
  • Labor & Materials Bond - Covers worker/supplier payments

What This Protects:

  • Project gets completed even if we face unexpected challenges
  • You have recourse if work isn't completed properly
  • Bonding company verifies our financial stability
  • Additional accountability beyond basic licensing

Bond information and bonding company details available upon request.

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Licensed vs. Unlicensed, Insured vs. Uninsured

Key Differences

Factor Licensed & Insured Unlicensed / Uninsured
Professional Training Verified experience & training Unknown/Unverified
Building Code Compliance Required to meet Ontario Building Code No requirement
Property Damage Coverage Full liability coverage included Your responsibility if damage occurs
Worker Injury Protection WSIB covers injuries You're liable for all injury costs
Permits & Inspections Handles permits and inspections Illegal to pull permits
Warranty/Recourse Warranty & formal complaint process No formal recourse
Regulatory Oversight Subject to provincial oversight No oversight
Legal Standing Can be held accountable for violations Limited legal standing
Price Professional rates Potentially lower upfront
Risk to You Minimal; well-protected Potentially thousands in liability
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Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance & Licensing

Common Concerns

What's the difference between general liability and property damage?

General liability is the overall insurance policy. Property damage is one type of coverage within it—specifically covering damage to others' property. Our general liability includes property damage, bodily injury, and other coverages.

Does your insurance cover damage caused by bad weather during the project?

Partially. Some weather-related events are covered (like accidental damage by crew). Weather damage to roofing materials during installation is typically covered if we can prove negligence. Ask about specific situations.

What if I'm worried about our property being damaged?

You can request a Certificate of Insurance before work starts. It shows you're named as additional insured and confirms coverage amounts. This provides documented protection.

What if a worker is injured and claims more than WSIB covers?

WSIB provides primary coverage. Our general liability provides additional coverage if injury is caused by our negligence. Combined coverage is comprehensive.

Can I verify your insurance before hiring you?

Absolutely. We encourage verification. Request a Certificate of Insurance, check our license status online, and verify our WSIB account. Transparency is important.

Does your insurance cover subcontractor work?

Yes. Our policy covers work performed by our subcontractors. Additionally, all subcontractors must be WSIB-covered or registered themselves.

How do I know you have current insurance?

We provide current Certificates of Insurance for each project. Insurance is renewed annually. We maintain continuous coverage.

What happens if you go out of business?

Bonding provides protection. Additionally, most warranty claims are covered by material manufacturers directly, regardless of contractor status. Your home is protected.

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How to Verify Our Licensing & Insurance

Transparency

We encourage verification. Here's how to confirm our credentials:

Check How to Verify Contact
Ontario License Call Ontario Consumer Protection Ministry or check online registry Ontario Business Registry
WSIB Coverage Visit wsib.on.ca and search employer database WSIB Search or call (343) 321-0218
General Liability Insurance Request Certificate of Insurance from us Call (343) 321-0218
Bond Status Request bonding company information Available upon request
Insurance Company Verification Contact our insurance company directly (info on COI) Included on certificate
Business Registration Check Ontario business registrar Ontario Registrar

Before You Hire:

  1. Ask for Certificate of Insurance
  2. Verify our Ontario license online
  3. Check our WSIB account status
  4. Read online reviews and references
  5. Ask about our 35-year history
  6. Get everything in writing

We're Completely Transparent: Ask us for any of these verification items. If we're hesitant to provide proof of licensing or insurance, that's a red flag. Legitimate contractors are proud of their credentials.

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How Our Credentials Protect Your Investment

Peace of Mind

Your roofing project is a significant investment. Our licensing, insurance, and bonding provide multiple layers of protection:

Regulatory Protection:

  • Licensed contractor meets provincial standards
  • Building code compliance
  • Regulatory oversight and accountability

Financial Protection:

  • General liability covers property damage
  • WSIB covers worker injuries
  • Bonding guarantees work completion
  • Warranty covers workmanship
  • Insurance covers defects

Recourse Protection:

  • Formal complaint process if needed
  • Insurance company backing
  • Warranty support
  • 35-year business reputation
  • Easy contact and follow-up

Peace of Mind:

You can relax knowing:

  • Your property is protected from liability
  • Workers are covered if injured
  • Work meets building codes
  • You have recourse if problems arise
  • You hired legitimate professionals

Protection Badges:

Licensed

Fully Insured

WSIB Covered

Bonded

35+ Years

Work With a Licensed, Fully Insured Contractor

Your roofing project deserves professional, credentialed contractors. We're licensed, fully insured, WSIB-covered, and bonded. Get your free estimate with complete peace of mind.

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