Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofer
Roof work is one of the areas most prone to cowboy traders. These questions help you separate the reliable roofers from those who will take your money and disappear.
Roofing is one of the trades most frequently associated with rogue traders in the UK. Doorstep roofers offering cheap repairs after a storm have cost homeowners millions in shoddy work and deposits that vanish. The good news is that most of the risk can be managed by asking the right questions before anyone climbs a ladder on your property.
This guide will help you know what to look for, what questions to ask, and what the answers should sound like from a roofer you can actually trust.
Start by Doing Your Own Research
Do not hire a roofer who knocks on your door unsolicited. Cold-call roofers are a well-documented source of roofing fraud in the UK. Instead, get recommendations from neighbours or friends, or use a platform like QuoteBank where roofers have reviews you can read before committing to anything.
Once you have a shortlist of two or three local roofers, get each one up on your roof for a quote. Do not share competing quotes between them before you have received all three. Let each roofer form their own assessment.
Questions to Ask Every Roofer
Are you a member of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC)?
The NFRC is the largest roofing trade body in the UK and requires members to pass a quality assessment. Verify membership at nfrc.co.uk. Other reputable bodies include the Confederation of Roofing Contractors (CORC) and TrustMark. Membership is not the only measure of a good roofer, but it is a useful filter.
Do you carry public liability insurance?
This is essential. Roofing is inherently risky work, and if something goes wrong, you need to know that the contractor has insurance in place. Ask for the insurer's name and policy number. The cover should be at least £1 million, ideally £2 million or more. A legitimate roofer will produce this information without hesitation.
Will you provide a written, itemised quote?
A written quote should state clearly what materials will be used (including the make and grade of tiles, felt, or membrane), how many tiles or slates will be replaced, the cost of scaffolding if required, and whether disposal of old materials is included. A quote that just says "roof repair, £500" is not a quote you can hold anyone to.
Can you show me what the problem is before quoting?
A good roofer will explain the diagnosis clearly, ideally with photos taken from the roof. Be wary of a roofer who tells you that there is extensive damage they cannot show you, or who keeps escalating the scope of work without clear photographic evidence. Ask for photos of any damage before agreeing to any additional work.
What materials will you use?
Roofing materials vary in quality and longevity. Ask what type and grade of tiles, felt, or membrane they plan to use. If you have an older property with handmade clay tiles, ask how they will source matching replacements. A roofer who cannot answer these questions clearly may be planning to use the cheapest available materials regardless of what suits your roof.
Who will carry out the work — you or subcontractors?
Some roofing companies quote the job but then subcontract the actual work to a third party. This can result in a disconnect between what was agreed and what gets done. Ask whether the person quoting will be on site during the job, or at least who the site supervisor will be.
What happens if additional problems are found during the job?
Roofs sometimes reveal additional issues once work starts. Ask upfront how this is handled. A legitimate roofer will stop work, explain the problem, provide a written variation with revised costs, and wait for your approval before proceeding. If a roofer says they will just sort anything extra and add it to the bill at the end, that is a setup for an inflated invoice.
Do you offer a guarantee on your work?
Ask about both materials and workmanship guarantees. Materials may carry a manufacturer warranty (some premium tiles carry 30-year or lifetime guarantees). A good roofer should also offer at least a 12-month workmanship guarantee on their labour. Get this in writing.
Payment: How and When
Never pay the full amount upfront. For small repair jobs, paying in full on completion is normal. For larger jobs involving scaffold hire and significant materials, a deposit of 10 to 25 per cent is reasonable to cover initial costs. Stage payments tied to completion milestones are standard on bigger projects.
Be very cautious of a roofer who arrives unannounced, says they spotted serious problems from the road, and wants a large cash payment to start immediately. This is a classic rogue trader approach.
Scaffold: Who Is Responsible?
Most roofing work above single-storey height requires scaffolding. Ask whether scaffolding is included in the quote and who is responsible for its installation and safety. A reputable roofing contractor will either own scaffolding or have a regular relationship with a licensed scaffold company. Improvised ladders or makeshift access that do not meet health and safety requirements are a risk to the workers and your liability if anything goes wrong on your property.
Check Reviews Before You Commit
Look for reviews that are specific and recent. Reviews that mention the job type, the area, and name the tradesperson are more credible than vague five-star ratings with no comment. If a roofer has no reviews at all, ask for two or three references you can contact directly.
Ready to Get Quotes?
Post your roofing job on QuoteBank to receive quotes from local roofers with genuine reviews. You can add photos of the problem, specify the roof type, and compare responses from tradespeople who have been vetted by other homeowners in your area.
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