How Do You Know if a Roofer Is Good?

What a good survey looks like

The best sign comes at the start. A roofer who is serious about the job will look at the whole roof, not just the spot you point to. They will check the tiles or slates, the ridge, the flashings round chimneys and walls, the valleys, the gutters, and often the loft from underneath. They should be able to show you what they found, with photographs of your own roof, and tell you why it matters. A phrase such as "it needs doing" is not an explanation. "The mortar bed under the ridge has crumbled, so the ridge tiles are loose" is.

Notice whether they talk about repair first. A roof with a handful of damaged tiles does not need replacing, and a roofer who goes straight to a full re-roof without showing you the evidence deserves a second look. Equally, a good roofer will say so plainly when a roof is beyond economic repair. Our guide on roof repair or replacement sets out how that decision is made.

The quote and the paperwork

A written quote is the plainest test. It should name the work, the materials, the access arrangements, what happens to waste, the total price, and when the work will be done. It should say whether VAT is included, and it should explain what happens if extra problems appear once the roof is opened. A quote scribbled on the back of a card, or a price given only over the phone, leaves you without anything to hold anyone to.

The same goes for the guarantee. Ask what it covers, how long it lasts, whether it is written down, and who you contact if something goes wrong. Our page on what a roofing guarantee should cover explains what to expect. Ask also about Building Regulations: where the job is notifiable, the roofer should say how it will be handled.

Evidence of the work itself

Reviews and badges can tell you something, but photographs and conversation tell you more. Ask to see recent jobs similar to yours. Ask how they would approach the details on your roof, such as the flashing round a chimney or the valley between two slopes, and listen to whether the answer is specific. A good roofer names the material and the method: lead flashings dressed into a chase, a breathable underlay, mechanical fixings on the ridge. Vague talk of a "quality job" with nothing behind it is a weak sign.

You can also judge a trader by the little things: do they turn up when they say, return calls, give you their full name and a business address, and treat your property with care? A roofer who pays attention to these things before the job usually does so during it. Our guide on what to ask a roofer before hiring provides questions you can use at the door.

Warning signs

Be cautious if a roofer arrives unannounced and says they noticed a problem while passing. Treat urgency with suspicion, including pressure to decide today because the price "will go up". Be wary of a request for the whole payment in cash up front, of a refusal to put anything in writing, and of claims that cannot be checked. A deposit may be reasonable, but it should be modest and agreed in writing; see how much deposit a roofer should ask for. Be cautious too if a roofer will not let you see the roof problem, because a fault you cannot see is a fault you cannot judge.

Comparing more than one roofer

It is sensible to get more than one opinion on a large job, and our guide on how many quotes to get for roof work explains how to compare them like for like. Make sure each roofer is pricing the same scope, with the same materials and the same access, or the numbers mean nothing.

Our own approach is to survey the roof, photograph what we find, and set out in writing what we would do and what it costs. If a repair is enough, we say so, and if the roof has years left in it, we tell you. You can return to the homepage for the full list of work, or ring 01256 213956 or message us on WhatsApp.