Universal Roofs Toronto vs BNS Roofing: chimney services compared
Universal Roofs Toronto and BNS Roofing are both genuine options for chimney services in the Toronto area, and both post near-identical composite scores. The real question isn't who scores higher, it's who fits the specific chimney problem you have. This comparison follows our methodology to break down the differences that actually matter for that decision.
The differences that matter
- Root-cause chimney diagnosis. Universal Roofs Toronto is repeatedly credited with tracking down chimney and parapet issues (flashing, tracking, failed seals) that other contractors missed on prior visits, while BNS Roofing's record leans more on flat roof and general leak inspections without that same chimney-specific pattern.
- Speed to consultation. BNS Roofing's owners Silvi and Keno are described handling consultations personally, often same-day or within a week, which matters if a chimney leak needs a fast look before it worsens.
- No-upsell inspection philosophy. Both crews avoid pushing unnecessary work, but BNS Roofing's reviews specifically call out East York and North York customers who were talked out of full replacements, while Universal Roofs Toronto's honest-second-opinion praise centers on catching missed leak sources rather than avoiding upsells.
- Named crew continuity. Universal Roofs Toronto reviewers name specific crew members (Olti, Pat, Nick) tied to on-site work, whereas BNS Roofing's named contacts (Silvi, Keno) are more consultation and owner-facing.
Side by side
- Google rating
- Universal Roofs Toronto: 5 (166 reviews)
- BNS Roofing: 5 (163 reviews)
- Services
- Universal Roofs Toronto: roof repair, roofing contractor, residential roofing, flat roofing
- BNS Roofing: roof repair, roofing contractor, residential roofing, flat roofing
- Best for
- Universal Roofs Toronto: A chimney with a persistent or previously misdiagnosed leak
- BNS Roofing: A chimney issue that needs a fast, no-pressure opinion first
- Specialty overlap with chimneys
- Universal Roofs Toronto: Flat roof repair, skylight work, and attic ventilation alongside leak diagnostics
- BNS Roofing: Flat roof specialist with documented photo-based inspections
- Verification
- Universal Roofs Toronto: Google-verified
- BNS Roofing: Google-verified
- Composite score
- Universal Roofs Toronto: 93
- BNS Roofing: 93
Within 3 points of each other, so treat them as effectively tied on overall quality. The choice below is about fit, not the score.
What reviewers say
Universal Roofs Toronto
Universal Roofs solves the leaks and failures other contractors miss. Multiple reviewers describe being sent elsewhere first, only to have Oltion and his team track down root causes (slope issues, failed seals, parapet tracking) that previous visits overlooked. Crews show up on schedule, communicate clearly at each stage, and leave sites spotless.
The range of work spans full replacements, flat roof repairs, skylight replacements and installations, and attic ventilation. Reviewers consistently mention competitive pricing, quality materials (including Velux skylights), and crew members by name (Olti, Pat, Nick). Storm repairs, leak diagnostics, and honest second opinions earn equal praise to larger projects.
BNS Roofing
Every reviewer mentions speed, honesty, or the team's willingness to do inspections rather than push replacements. Flat roof jobs and leak repairs dominate the work; Silvi and Keno handle consultations personally, often same-day or within a week. Crews show up on time, clean after themselves, and document work with photos.
East York and North York customers specifically praise BNS for being the only contractor that wouldn't upsell them into unnecessary full replacements. Staff take pride in the craft and clearly enjoy dealing with homeowners who trust them. Price is repeatedly called reasonable or good for the quality delivered.
Which should you pick?
Pick Universal Roofs Toronto if
- Your chimney has an unresolved leak that a previous roofer couldn't find or fix
- You want a crew with named, repeat-praised technicians handling flashing, parapet, or seal failures
- You're also considering related work like skylights or attic ventilation on the same visit
Pick BNS Roofing if
- You want a same-day or within-the-week consultation directly with the owner
- You've been quoted a full chimney or roof replacement and want a second, no-pressure opinion first
- You're in East York or North York and value a contractor with a local track record for honest inspections
Verdict
This comes down to what kind of chimney problem you're solving, not which score is higher. If you've already had someone look at the chimney and the leak or damage is still unresolved, Universal Roofs Toronto's pattern of finding root causes others missed makes it the safer next call. If you're earlier in the process and want a fast, low-pressure opinion before committing to major work, BNS Roofing's owner-led, same-day consultations are the better fit.
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When you submit a quote or contact form through this site, your enquiry may be shared with partner providers who can do the work. We may earn a referral fee from these partners, but our rankings and scores are determined solely by our published method and are never affected by referral fees.
FAQ
- Which company is better for a chimney leak no one else could find?
- Universal Roofs Toronto's reviews specifically describe diagnosing leaks and flashing or seal failures that earlier contractors overlooked, which is the stronger track record for stubborn cases.
- Which company responds fastest for a chimney inspection?
- BNS Roofing's owners Silvi and Keno are described handling consultations personally, often same-day or within a week.
- Do either of these contractors pressure you into a full replacement?
- No. Both are praised for honest assessments, Universal Roofs Toronto for avoiding unnecessary work through thorough diagnosis, and BNS Roofing specifically for not upselling customers into full roof replacements.
- Are both companies rated similarly overall?
- Yes, their composite scores and Google ratings are nearly identical, so the decision should rest on fit for your specific chimney issue rather than the score.