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Roofer Hiring Guide
Roofer Hiring Guide
A watertight roof is a fundamental part of all buildings. But roofs aren't cheap, so read our guide and follow our hints and tips to ensure you hire a trustworthy roofer to carry out your roofing work.
A watertight roof is a fundamental part of all buildings. But roofs aren't cheap, so read our guide and follow our hints and tips to ensure you hire a trustworthy roofer to carry out your roofing work.
- Locating A Good Roofer
It's a good idea to begin with asking your neighbours for any recommendations as it's likely you'll share the same or similar style roof. The majority of roofers will be happy installing tiles or slate, but it's always prudent to check their experience if you have a slightly more complex roof, such as a flat roof or something with an unusual structure.
It's a good idea to find out if your roofer is a member of The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), which comes with a high reputation in the industry. The NFRC contractors are subject to rigorous vetting before being allowed to join to ensure they're suitably qualified and are required to complete assessments every three years. They must also hold the relevant public, employers and 3rd party insurance, comply with H&S legislation and operate under the NFRC code of practice as well as British and European Standards.
- Gather Several Roofing Quotes
Get quotes from at least three roofers, irrespective of the circumstance of the job to give you an idea of prices and an introduction to the tradesmen carrying out the work. The roofing firm should want to come and inspect the roof, even before giving a price for a simple job such as replacing missing or broken tiles & cleaning gutters, as it's unwise to price up a job without seeing the complete condition of the roof they'll be working on.
As a trade, it's reasonable in roofing to receive estimates instead of quotes. This is due to not being able to see what the roofs sub structure condition is until work has already began and the tiles or slate have been removed.
Estimate or quotes should always be asked for in writing and they should make sure they include the price for materials, scaffolding and other related items. Be cautious around roofers that offer cash only or VAT jobs as these may be harder to seek claims against if the job goes bad.
Keep in mind, the best isn't typically the cheapest. It's a good idea to visit online reviews from previous customers and read any references before making your final decision, also take into account the quality of the survey, information given and how confident you feel about the company. Availability may also be a consideration to factor in, particularly if you need the job completed quickly. It's worth remembering the most popular businesses will be booked up for some time, so it's worth booking in advance to get the quotes in.
If you don't fully understand something on the quote or that the contractor has said, ask them to explain further. Any roofer worth his money will be happy to explain further anything you aren't completely one hundred percent on.
- Hiring The Roofer
Upon finalising which roofer is most suitable for you, the following needs to be discussed with them:
Policy on unforeseen additional charges
Any penalties on late completion of work
Conditions on the even of prolonged adverse weather
Working hours the roofers will attend, including weekends
Which materials are to be used, which supplier and if they include a guarantee
Any outsourced labour
Waste disposal and if it's included in the estimate
If scaffolding is required and included in estimate
The procedure in the event work isn't completed to a satisfactory standard
It's a good idea to have these points written into a contract, this doesn't need to be complex, but both parties should agree and sign. This way you'll have a record of how you expect the work to proceed, which provides protection to you and the roofer. This is typical on bigger jobs, but is also wise for smaller repairs. Most reputable contractors will issue contracts as per standard before commencing and work.
It's your responsibility to confirm if planning permission is required, however your roofer should be able to offer advice. Significant work to a roof must be completed by a competent roofer who is a member of the CompetantRoofer scheme, or you will need an inspection from the local authorities building control department before work begins.
Prior to the start of any work, proof of public liability insurance and working at heights should be seen. If the job entails a complete new roof or major refurbishment on an existing roof, a guarantee should be asked for.
Paying A Roofer
Paying A Roofer
A payment schedule should be agreed upon in advance of any work starting. It's not unusual to be asked to provide an initial installment up front, particularly for larger jobs or installing new roofs.
The last installment should only be paid when you are fully satisfied with the completed work and have received all necessary documentation relating to it.
Additional Information
Additional Information
Any good local roofing firm should be more than happy to offer any advice about the aspects of a roofing job. Companies like Dundee Roofer, a local roofing firm in Dundee who service all of Angus, Fife and Perthshire are more than willing to take the time to ensure any customer is 100% with all aspects on the roofing job, from simple roof repairs or inspections, to complete roof installations, the Dundee Roofer would be happy to go over any part with you. For a free quote, call them on 01382 671026 or visit their website
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