Get it in writing
A verbal price on the driveway is easy to forget and easy to dispute. Ask every roofer for a written quote and read it side by side with the others. A useful quote describes the work rather than just giving a total. Look for:
- What is being stripped and what is going back on, including the type of tile, slate or flat roof system
- Membrane, battens, ridge, hips, valleys and any leadwork
- Scaffold, skips and taking away the old materials
- How hidden problems, such as rotten boards or timbers, will be handled
- Payment terms and roughly when the work can start
Who actually turns up
Some firms send a salesperson to measure up and then pass the job to whichever crew is free. Others are run by the person who quotes and who stays involved until the end. Neither is automatically wrong, but you should know which you are getting. Ask directly: who will be on site, and who do I ring if something is not right?
Questions worth asking any roofer
These are checks for you to make, whoever you are talking to:
- Do you carry public liability insurance, and can I see the certificate?
- Who arranges the scaffold, and is it included in the price?
- Where will the skip or waste go, and is removal included?
- Will anything need planning permission or building control? Our guide to planning permission for a new roof explains the basics.
- What happens if the weather turns halfway through?
Red flags at the door
Most bad roofing experiences start the same way. Be cautious if someone:
- Knocks unannounced saying they noticed a problem while passing
- Offers a big discount if you agree today
- Only wants cash, or asks for most of the money before starting
- Has no landline, address or written paperwork
- Climbs on the roof without asking and comes down with bad news
Look at previous work and reviews
Trust your instincts too. A roofer who listens, answers questions without fuss and is happy for you to take your time is usually the same person who takes care on your roof. One who rushes you, avoids putting things on paper or dismisses your questions is showing you how the job is likely to go.
Ask to see photos of similar roofs, or look at a firm's gallery. Read reviews on more than one site and pay attention to how complaints were dealt with, not just the star score. Recommendations from neighbours who have had work done are worth a lot, especially if you can see the roof yourself.
Comparing prices? Our guides to the cost of a new roof and roof repair costs explain why quotes for the same roof can differ.
How Lee runs a job
Authentic Building & Roofing Ltd is run by Lee Draper from 75a Church Street, Witham. Lee comes out to look at the roof, explains what he has found in plain English and puts everything in a written quote. The site visit is free. We work across Essex and the Essex side of London's outskirts, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
You can read more about Lee and the business, look through recent roofing projects, or call 07947 758052.
Before work starts
Once you have picked a roofer, a little preparation makes the job run smoothly. Agree start dates and rough working hours in writing. Ask where the scaffold will stand, where the skip will go and how the garden and paths will be protected. Find out how materials will be delivered and stored. If you have neighbours close by, let them know what is happening and when.
During the job, you should feel able to ask questions at any point. A good roofer will happily show you what has been found once the old covering is off and explain any change before it happens. At the end, walk round with them, check the gutters and paths have been cleared, and keep the written quote and invoice together for future reference.
If anything about a roofer's answers makes you uneasy at any of these stages, take that seriously. It is your home, and it is perfectly reasonable to take your time before committing.