The short answer
Two or three is a sensible number for a major job such as a re-roof, and one or two is usually enough for a small repair. More than that rarely helps, because the quotes start to differ in scope, not just price. What matters is that every roofer prices the same work, with the same materials and access. Ask each for a written breakdown, then compare the contents line by line before you look at the total.
Why more than one quote helps
A single quote gives you a price but no context. With two or three you start to see what is normal for your roof, which parts of the job are straightforward and which are uncertain. You also see how different roofers explain the problem. Sometimes one finds a cause the others missed, such as a failed valley or rotten battens, and that difference is useful in itself. Comparing is not about squeezing the lowest figure; it is about understanding the job.
For small repairs, such as a few slipped tiles, the cost of collecting several quotes may outweigh the saving, and an honest roofer will give you a clear figure after one visit. For larger jobs the numbers are big enough to justify the effort. Typical UK ranges for a re-roof of a three-bedroom semi are reported in cost guides as running into several thousand pounds, so a modest difference in scope can mean a large difference in price. Our costs guide explains what drives those figures.
Make the quotes comparable
Before the surveys, write down what you want, and give each roofer the same description. After the surveys, check that each quote covers the same things. Does it include scaffolding, or is that extra? Are the battens (the timber strips that carry the tiles) and the underlay renewed, or only the tiles? Which flashings are included? How are the ridge and hip tiles fixed? What tile or slate is specified, and by which manufacturer? Does it include removing waste and clearing the site? Does it include the Building Regulations notification, where the work needs one? Is VAT included? A roofer who writes a clear scope makes your comparison easy.
If the quotes look very different, ask why. A low figure might use a cheaper tile, skip the underlay, leave out the scaffold or assume that nothing will turn up when the old covering comes off. A high one might include repairs to timber or lead that the others ignored. Ask each roofer to explain the difference rather than guessing. Our guide on what affects roofing costs lists the main variables.
What a good quote contains
A good quote is written, dated and specific. It names the contractor and gives an address and phone number. It describes the work in the order it will be done, states the materials, and gives a total. It sets out how long it is valid, when work can start and how long it will take. It says what the payment terms are and what guarantee applies. Our page on how to tell if a roofer is good adds signs to look for during the visit itself, and how much deposit a roofer should ask for covers the payment side.
A quote that is vague about extras is a risk. Roofing often reveals hidden problems, such as rotten timber, so ask how any additional work would be priced and agreed. The sensible answer is that nothing extra is done without your written agreement, and that the price per item is stated in advance where it can be.
Keep notes as you go. After each visit, jot down what the roofer said was wrong, what they proposed and anything they ruled out. When two roofers describe the same fault in different words, look for the common thread, and when they disagree, ask the second to explain why their view differs. A roofer confident in their diagnosis will welcome the question, and photographs from each survey give you something concrete to compare. If you are still unsure after three visits, a neutral roof inspection can settle the matter before you spend a large sum.
Do not let the process drag on
It is fair to take a few days to decide, but a leaking roof does not wait. If water is coming in, ask for a temporary make-safe measure while you collect quotes. Be wary of anyone who insists you decide on the day, and equally of a quote that expires within hours. Prices for materials do move, but a reasonable roofer will hold a price for a sensible period.
Also bear in mind that quoting takes time for a roofer, and a trader who spends an afternoon surveying your roof is entitled to expect that you are serious. Tell each one you are getting other quotes, and decline politely when you have made your choice.
We survey the roof free, photograph the faults on your own roof, and give you a price you can hold in writing. You can see what we cover on the homepage, or phone 01256 213956 to arrange a visit.
Every roof is different. A free survey with photos settles it for yours.
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