How to spot a trustworthy roofer (and avoid the cowboys)

Most roofers are honest and skilled. But the industry has its share of cowboys, and bad roofing work is expensive to fix. Here's how to tell the difference.

Green flags

• Written quote with detailed scope (not just a one-line total)
• Local address and landline (not just a mobile number)
• Public liability insurance (ask for the certificate)
• Written guarantee on workmanship (10 years is reasonable)
• Photos of similar completed work in your area
• Checkatrade, TrustMark, or NFRC membership (verify on the trade body's website, not just their claim)
• No high-pressure sales tactics
• Willing to provide references from past customers

Red flags

• Door-knocking "we were just in the area"
• Cash discounts ("£500 off if you pay cash today")
• Refuses to provide a written quote
• No landline, only mobile
• Won't provide insurance details
• High-pressure "we have materials left over from another job nearby"
• Quotes much lower than other roofers (if it sounds too good to be true...)
• Won't put guarantees in writing

What a proper quote looks like

A professional quote should include:

• Your name and address
• Date and valid until
• Description of work (e.g., "Strip existing roof covering, replace battens, install new tile, replace ridge, repoint chimney")
• Materials to be used (brand, type, colour)
• Scaffolding included
• Waste removal included
• Start date estimate and duration
• Payment terms (deposit, stage payments, final)
• Guarantee details
• Insurance and accreditations

Questions to ask

1. What's included and what's not?
2. How long is the guarantee?
3. Who's doing the work — you or sub-contractors?
4. Do you need a deposit?
5. What happens if there's bad weather?
6. Can I see your insurance certificate?
7. Can I have references from past customers?

If they're evasive on any of these, look elsewhere.