How to Choose a Roofer: A UK Homeowner's Guide
To learn how to choose a roofer, start by checking that the business is real, insured and able to show work similar to yours. Then compare written quotes, look at the safety plan and confirm whether a trade body membership can be checked independently. Most poor roofing jobs could have been spotted during these checks, before any scaffolding went up.
Key takeaways
- Check the business name, trading address and phone number against independent sources before you agree to anything.
- Ask to see a current insurance certificate, and confirm that employers' liability cover is in place if the firm has staff.
- Trade body membership, such as the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, is worth checking on the body's own website.
- Ask for photos and references for roofs similar to yours, and ask what went wrong on a past job and how it was fixed.
- Expect a written quote that explains the roof work, materials, guarantee and what happens if hidden damage is found.
- Be cautious of anyone who knocks on your door after a storm and pressures you to sign on the spot.
What should you check before you hire a roofer?
Before you discuss price, confirm who you are dealing with. A roofer should be able to give you a full trading name, a business address and a phone number that you can call back. Check whether the name appears on the company's website, its vehicles and its written paperwork, and whether the details match. Mismatches are a common warning sign.
Next, look at membership and insurance. Trade bodies can provide useful assurance, but membership is not a guarantee of quality, so check the register yourself. UKListingz does not verify qualifications, insurance or accreditation, so the responsibility for these checks sits with you.
Trade body membership
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors, known as the NFRC, is a recognised trade body for roofing firms. Membership usually means the firm has agreed to certain standards and can be contacted through the body if a dispute arises. Ask the roofer for their membership number, then check it on the trade body's website rather than trusting a logo on a van or a letter.
For home improvement work, TrustMark is the government-endorsed scheme for quality trades, and it is worth checking membership there too. A roofer who is a member of a relevant scheme should be willing to show you that, not avoid the question.
If a roofer offers a membership but cannot give you a number, or the number does not appear on the body's register, ask them to explain before you go further. There may be a simple administrative reason, but you are entitled to a clear answer before you pay a deposit or agree a start date.
Insurance and employers' liability
Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement for most businesses that employ staff, so a roofer with a crew should be able to produce a certificate. Public liability insurance is usually not a legal requirement, but many homeowners and clients expect it, because it covers damage or injury caused to third parties during the job. Ask for both certificates, check the dates, and make sure the cover is current for the work you are asking about.
How can you judge a roofer's experience and past work?
The most useful way to judge experience is to ask questions that a poor roofer cannot answer easily. A straightforward question is whether they have done a roof like yours, such as a slate roof, a concrete tile roof, a flat roof with felt or a roof with lead flashing. Experience with one type of roof does not automatically transfer to another, so ask specifically.
Ask for photos of recent completed jobs, and for at least one reference you can contact yourself. Better still, ask what went wrong on a past job and how it was resolved. A reputable roofer will talk about problems honestly, because they know that any experienced trade has them. A roofer who claims they never make mistakes has told you something important.
Online reviews can help, but they are not conclusive. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 bans fake reviews and hidden incentivised reviews, but that does not stop all of them. Read the detail of several reviews rather than the star rating alone, and treat a sudden flood of very similar comments with caution.
Ask the roofer to talk you through what they would inspect first, such as the condition of the battens, the flashings around chimneys and valleys, and the ventilation of the roof space. A roofer who can describe those points in plain terms has probably looked closely at roofs before. Ask about lead flashing and gutters too, because these are common sources of leaks that are easy to overlook.
What safety standards should a roofer follow?
Roof work is high-risk, and a responsible roofer will plan for it. The Health and Safety Executive publishes guidance on working at height, and the principles are simple: avoid working at height where possible, prevent falls where you cannot avoid it, and reduce the consequences of any fall. Ask how the roofer will protect the edges, how they will access the roof, and whether scaffolding or edge protection is included in the quote.
Safety also affects you as the householder. Ask how the team will protect your garden, paths, vehicles and neighbours, where materials will be stored, and how debris will be removed. A clear plan shows the roofer has thought through the job. A vague answer, or a plan that relies on speed rather than control, is a reason to pause.
- Ask who will be on the roof, and whether they have been trained to work at height.
- Check whether scaffolding, edge protection or a safe access system is listed in the quote.
- Ask how the site will be left at the end of each working day, especially if the roof is open.
- Ask how waste will be removed and whether the price includes skip hire.
How do emergency repairs differ from planned roof work?
An emergency repair, such as a leak after a storm or a slipped tile that is letting in water, is different from planned replacement or a full re-roof. In an emergency you may need a temporary fix quickly, and a roofer who arrives the same day may be the only realistic option. Even then, ask for a written note of what was done, what was not done, and what needs attention later.
Planned work gives you more room to compare. You should expect a survey, a written specification, a clear timescale and a guarantee in writing. Emergency work often gets a simpler quote, but the same basic questions still apply. Ask for the price for the immediate fix, the price for any follow-up repair, and the time you have to decide before the bigger job is booked.
If you need a roofer at short notice, the roofing contractors listed by town are a starting point, but the same checks still apply. A rushed decision is when mistakes are most likely, so give yourself a few minutes to read any written terms before you agree.
How do you handle cold callers and storm chasers?
After severe weather, some firms go door to door offering quick inspections, free roof checks or help with insurance claims. Some of these callers are legitimate, but the pattern is well known for pressure selling and poor work. The main warning signs are unsolicited visits, urgency, claims that your insurer will pay for everything, and requests to sign documents at the door.
If someone approaches you, take their details, close the door and check the business independently before you agree to anything. If the agreement was made at your door, the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 generally give a 14-day cancellation period. If you ask for work to start within that period, you may have to pay for work already carried out, so ask for the start date to be written down. The guide to spotting a rogue trader sets out more signs to watch for.
It also helps to decide in advance what you will do if someone calls. A simple rule, such as never agreeing to work on the doorstep and always asking for a written quote to be sent to your home address, removes most of the pressure. Keep the rule in mind when you are tired or worried about a leak, because those are the moments when pressure works best.
What should a roofing quote and guarantee include?
A roofing quote should show exactly what will be replaced or repaired, what materials are being used and what has been excluded. Ask the roofer to explain how any hidden damage, such as rotten timber or damaged battens, will be priced if it is found once the old covering is removed. A quote that says nothing about hidden damage may lead to a surprise invoice.
Guarantees need equal attention. A workmanship guarantee covers the quality of the installation, while a manufacturer's guarantee covers the materials, and the two are not the same. Ask which guarantee applies to each part of the job, how long it lasts and what is excluded. Get the guarantee in writing and keep it with your records.
Ask also how the business will respond if a fault appears after the job, and whether a response time is stated. A guarantee that promises a callback without a time frame gives you little to rely on, so ask for the arrangement to be written into the guarantee terms.
| Check | What good looks like | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Trade body | Membership number you can check online | Logo only, with no number |
| Insurance | Current certificates you can verify | Refusal to show documents |
| Written quote | Scope, materials, exclusions and timescale | A single figure on a scrap of paper |
| Hidden damage | Clear process for approval before extra work | "We'll sort it out when we're up there" |
| Guarantee | Written terms for workmanship and materials | Verbal promises only |
Do roofing jobs need building control approval?
Some roofing work is covered by the Building Regulations, and whether approval is needed depends on the scope of the job and where you live. In England and Wales, your local council's building control team can tell you whether a project needs notice or approval. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different building regulation systems, so check with the local authority in those nations.
A good roofer will know which of their work is likely to be covered and will explain the process. Ask them to confirm in writing whether notice or approval is needed, and who will arrange it. Do not assume the roofer has done this without being asked, because the paperwork is part of the value you are paying for.
Ask also about the materials and how they will be fixed. Some roof coverings come with manufacturer instructions that the installer must follow to keep a manufacturer's guarantee valid. A roofer who knows those instructions and can explain them is showing the kind of care that makes a roof last. Ask to see the instructions if you want to check.
What should you do next?
Once you have a shortlist, use the same steps for each roofer so that the comparison is fair. Work through the list in order and do not accept a quote until every point has been answered in writing.
- Write a short description of the roof problem, with photos if you can take them safely from the ground.
- Check each firm's name, address and phone number on independent sources.
- Ask for insurance certificates and trade body membership numbers, and check them yourself.
- Request a written quote from at least two roofers, with the same scope and the same timescale.
- Ask for the safety plan, the guarantee terms and the process for hidden damage before you decide.
- Only pay a deposit once the contract, schedule and guarantee are agreed in writing.
UKListingz lets you browse roofing contractors by town, and you can look at several businesses side by side before making contact. Pair that with a builder search if the roof repair is part of a wider building project. For emergencies that do not involve the roof, the guide to who to call in a home emergency explains the first steps.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a roofer charge for a roof repair?
This article does not quote prices, because roofing costs vary widely with the size of the roof, the materials, access and the condition of the timber underneath. The best way to judge a price is to compare written quotes for the same scope of work. Ask each roofer to explain their pricing, including labour, materials, scaffolding and waste removal.
Do I need a roofer who is a member of a trade body?
You are not legally required to use a trade body member, but membership can give you a route to raise a complaint if something goes wrong. It is one signal among several, rather than a guarantee of quality. Check the membership on the body's website, and combine it with insurance, references and a written quote.
How can I tell if a roofer is a storm chaser?
Storm chasers usually arrive uninvited after bad weather, press you to decide quickly and offer to deal with your insurance claim. They may also avoid giving a written address or a full quote. If a firm wants a decision on the doorstep, that is a warning sign, and you should take time to check them independently.
Should I get my roof inspected before a repair?
A survey is often sensible, particularly if the roof is old or the damage is unclear. Ask whether the survey is free, whether it is a written report, and whether the cost is credited against the work if you go ahead. A survey gives you a shared understanding of the problem and reduces the risk of disputes later.
Can I cancel a roofing contract after I agree to it?
Where a contract is agreed away from the trader's premises, or online or by phone, there is generally a 14-day cancellation period under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. Rules differ for emergency repairs you ask for, and if you ask for work to begin within the cancellation period you may have to pay for work already done. Check the current position on GOV.UK.
What if the roofer damages my property?
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill. If damage is caused by poor work, you can ask for the problem to be put right or for the price to be reduced. Keep photos, messages and invoices, and ask the roofer to confirm the problem in writing. Public liability insurance is there for exactly these situations, so ask about it at the start.
Sources and further reading
- Health and Safety Executive – guidance on working at height and safe working on roofs.
- TrustMark – the government-endorsed scheme for quality home improvement trades.
- National Federation of Roofing Contractors – membership information and standards for roofing firms.
- GOV.UK consumer protection rights – your rights when you buy services from a tradesperson.
This article is general information, not legal, financial or professional advice. Rules and prices change, so check the official sources above before you act.