How to Choose a Roofing Company You Can Trust

Finding a reliable roofing company involves getting three written quotes, checking their insurance, and verifying their trade accreditations before any work begins. A good roofer will inspect the problem thoroughly, provide an itemised fixed price, and never ask for a large cash deposit upfront. Following a careful hiring process protects your home and ensures you get the right paperwork when the job is done.

Start with a shortlist of three

When you need work done on your roof, the first step is to gather options. The National Federation of Roofing Contractors advises the public to contact a reputable roofing contractor for a proper assessment and obtain at least three quotes for any works. Comparing three firms gives you a clear idea of the local market rate and shows you how different tradespeople approach the same problem.

You should build your shortlist from companies that have a permanent local address and a track record of local work. Avoid cold callers who knock on your door because they have spotted a loose tile or moss from the street. These individuals often use pressure tactics to force a quick decision rather than giving you time to think.

How the job is priced depends on its size. Small repairs are usually a fixed price or a day rate. Larger work is priced per square metre plus access. Scaffolding is often a separate and significant line on the bill, as working safely at height requires proper support. You should also bear in mind that prices are generally higher in London and the South East.

What to check before anyone visits

Before you invite a roofing company to look at your property, you need to verify their background. Citizens Advice recommends that you check traders are in an approved trader scheme, competent person scheme or trade association and verify the claim. You should check the scheme's own register online to confirm the membership is genuine and current.

You should also look for evidence of their past work. Citizens Advice suggests you ask for two to three recent references and contact them directly. You can ask these past customers if the team turned up on time, stuck to the agreed price, and cleaned up afterwards. You must be wary of traders who will not give references, only give a mobile number, or quote far below others.

Before the roofer arrives, try to understand the problem yourself. You can safely check the condition of your roof from the ground or by looking from inside the loft for daylight or damp patches. You must never climb on a roof, use ladders at height, or carry out leadwork, torch-on felting, structural or electrical work yourself. You can take photos of the defect from a safe distance to show the tradesperson when they arrive.

Be cautious of firms that recommend a whole new roof for a minor local fault. You should also ignore pressure washing sold as maintenance, or roof coating and painting claims. These treatments are often unnecessary and can sometimes damage the materials beneath.

Understanding trade terminology and materials

Roofers use specific terms to describe the parts of a building and the materials they use. Understanding these terms helps you read a quote properly and ask the right questions.

Roofs are broadly divided into pitched and flat roofs. A pitched roof has a slope and is usually covered with concrete or clay tiles, or natural or fibre cement slate. The ridge is the highest horizontal line where the two sides meet. The hip is a sloping ridge where two sections meet at an angle. The valley is the internal angle where two roof slopes meet and water runs down. The verge is the outer edge of a roof above a gable wall, while the eaves are the lower edges that overhang the walls.

Underneath the visible covering, the roof relies on several layers. The battens are the timber strips that the tiles or slates sit on. Below the battens is the underlay, which is often called felt or membrane. Lead flashing is the metal used to seal joints between the roof and brickwork, such as around a chimney. At the roofline, the fascias are the vertical boards that hold the guttering, and the soffits are the boards tucked under the fascias.

Flat roofs have a different structure entirely. The base layer is known as the timber deck, which supports the waterproofing above. Many flat roofs are finished with built-up felt, usually a torch-on system where the layers are bonded with heat. Other common materials include EPDM rubber, a durable synthetic membrane, and GRP fibreglass, which forms a hard, seamless shell. You may also see single-ply membranes and liquid coatings on modern quotes. A warm roof design has the insulation placed above the timber deck, keeping the structure warm. A cold roof design has the insulation placed between the timber joists, which requires careful ventilation to prevent condensation.

How to compare quotes like for like

When the roofing companies have inspected the job, they will send you their prices. Citizens Advice recommends you get written quotes from at least three traders. A quote is a fixed price that the trader must honour, whereas an estimate is an educated guess that can increase.

You should reject vague one-line quotes that just give a single total figure. A proper quote breaks down exactly what you are paying for so you can compare the three firms accurately.

• The exact scope of the work and the specific materials to be used.
• The cost of scaffolding and whether the roofer is arranging it.
• Whether waste removal is included in the final price.
• Whether VAT is included in the total figure.
• How extras such as rotten timber will be priced if they are discovered later.

The final point is crucial because nobody can see rotten timber until the old covering is off. A good quote says how extras will be priced, usually by stating a day rate or an hourly rate for unforeseen repairs. If you are unsure what to expect from a roofer, asking about unforeseen costs is a good test of their honesty.

Building regulations and structural rules

Some roofing work requires official approval to ensure it is safe and energy efficient. In England, repairing or re-covering a roof does not normally need a building control application if less than 25 per cent of the building envelope and less than 50 per cent of the roof is affected.

Work that affects 50 per cent or more of the roof normally needs building control sign-off in England, and the insulation may have to be upgraded. Ask who will handle the application and make sure you get the certificate.

Approval is also needed for structural alterations, where a new covering performs significantly differently in fire, or where it adds 15 per cent or more to the weight of the roof covering. Replacing a glazed or polycarbonate conservatory roof with a solid one takes the conservatory out of its exemption, so building regulations apply to the new roof.

This table shows the standard building regulation thresholds for roof work in England.

These thresholds apply in England. Rules differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland, so check with your council if you live there.

Accreditation that means something

Membership of a recognised scheme provides an extra layer of reassurance. TrustMark is the only UK Government-Endorsed Quality Scheme for work carried out in and around the home. Registered businesses are vetted and commit to standards of technical competence, trading practices and customer service. Membership is a good sign, not a guarantee.

CompetentRoofer is a government-authorised competent person scheme run by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors. Registered roofers can self-certify that roof refurbishment complies with the building regulations in England and Wales. This means the work does not have to go through council building control or a registered building control approver. The customer should receive a building regulations compliance certificate once the job is notified.

Insurance every roofer should have

Roofing carries inherent risks, so proper insurance is non-negotiable. Citizens Advice says you should check the trader has public liability insurance, and employers' liability insurance if they have employees. Public liability insurance covers the cost if the roofer damages your property or injures a member of the public.

You must ask the roofer to show you their insurance certificate before you agree to the work. Citizens Advice also advises that you tell your own buildings insurer before work starts, as major renovations can affect your home insurance policy.

Guarantees and what backs them

Most roofing companies offer a guarantee on their workmanship and the materials they install. However, standard guarantees are worthless if the firm folds because they are not backed by an independent policy.

An insurance-backed guarantee protects you if the roofing company ceases trading. Domestic work notified through the CompetentRoofer scheme may come with this type of protection. You should always ask the roofer what cover comes with the job and get the details in writing before you pay the deposit.

Agreeing a contract and payment terms

Clear payment terms prevent disputes and protect your money. Citizens Advice advises that you always get a written contract covering start and finish dates, materials, clean-up and the payment schedule.

You should pay by card or bank transfer rather than cash. Citizens Advice warns that you should never pay the full amount up front. Instead, you should use staged payments where possible and keep any deposit low. Its guidance is not to agree to a deposit of more than 25 per cent.

Paying by credit card gives Section 75 protection on purchases over £100 and up to £30,000. This means the credit card company is jointly liable if the work is substandard or the firm goes out of business.

Your legal rights as a customer

You have strong legal protection when you hire a tradesperson. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, work must be done with reasonable care and skill. If it is not, the customer can ask for it to be put right or for money back.

Contracts agreed at home, by phone or online normally carry a 14-day cooling-off period. This allows you to cancel the agreement without penalty. If you ask for work to start inside that period, you must pay for what has been done up to the point you cancel. If a dispute arises and you cannot resolve it with the firm, Citizens Advice is the place to seek independent guidance.

Paperwork to collect when the job is done

When the scaffolding comes down and the work is finished, you need to secure your paperwork. Having the correct documents is essential if you ever decide to sell your property.

• A detailed final invoice showing the final balance is paid.
• The building regulations compliance certificate if the work affected half or more of the roof.
• The documents for your insurance-backed guarantee.
• Photographs of the finished roof surface from the tradesperson.

Do not make the final payment until you have inspected the site from the ground, ensuring all waste and materials have been cleared away as agreed in your contract.

Common questions

How do I find a local roofer in my area?

You should look for businesses with a permanent local address and consistent customer reviews. Always check their credentials on official scheme registers like TrustMark or CompetentRoofer. Finding a firm that operates locally makes it easier to verify their past work.

What does a roofing contractor do?

A roofing contractor assesses, repairs and replaces domestic and commercial roofs. They handle everything from replacing slipped slates to installing entirely new flat roof systems. A professional contractor manages the scaffolding, sources the correct materials, and ensures the work meets current building regulations.

Do all roofing companies need public liability insurance?

It is not a legal requirement, but any reputable roofer will carry public liability insurance to cover accidental damage or injury. If the company employs staff, the law requires it to hold employers' liability insurance in almost all cases. You should ask to see their certificates before you allow them on your property.

Will a roofing company replace a few tiles?

Yes, most firms are happy to take on minor repairs such as fixing a leak or replacing damaged clay tiles. These small repairs are usually charged at a fixed price or a day rate. Taking care of small defects quickly prevents water from damaging the timbers beneath.

A simple checklist before you hire

Hiring a roofer does not have to be stressful if you follow a clear process. Use these steps to ensure you choose a reliable professional who will treat your home with respect.

• Take photos of the roof from the ground to show the companies you contact.
• Build a shortlist of three firms and check their trade accreditations online.
• Ask for recent references and speak to those past customers directly.
• Get three written quotes that itemise the materials, scaffolding, waste and VAT.
• Ask for proof of public liability insurance and employers' liability insurance.
• Agree a written contract with staged payments and a deposit of no more than 25 per cent.

Taking the time to compare quotes and check accreditations means you can spot a dodgy roofer before it costs you. TopRatedRoofers.co.uk ranks local roofers by their Google reviews to help you build your initial shortlist, but a high ranking is a starting point and not a guarantee of good work. When you are ready to start gathering quotes, you can find a roofer near you and begin checking their credentials.