8 Tips For Choosing a Roofer For Your Need

A roof is essential to the integrity of any property. Maintaining a solid roof is critical because leaks and other roof problems can quickly spread to other house parts. Water damage, mold, mildew, and decay are just a few problems that may swiftly escalate into significant catastrophes. Your insulation's effectiveness will suffer, and your home and family will be at risk if this rot the timbers.

This is why it's crucial to conduct routine inspections of your roof, preferably in the attic, through trusted roofing contractors. As with many things, early intervention can prevent the need for expensive and time-consuming fixes.

This article provides some helpful advice for choosing a roofer for your home.

1.  Avoid Choosing a Roofing Contractor in Haste

Roofing can be a capital-intensive project. You should spend ample time choosing a roofing contractor and complete the due selection process. 

Identifying an inexperienced roofer is not always a simple task, but there are several indicators to be watchful of. 

If a roofer doesn't have a registered business address and phone number, it may seem that they do business under aliases and are impossible to reach.

The way the individual dresses or acts can be a dead giveaway. Right roofing contractors can be recognized by their bright appearance, which always includes wearing work pants and sturdy boots rather than jeans and sneakers. Additionally, they bear the company logo on their jackets.

Stay away from anyone who doesn't have a website, and see if there are any reviews you can find about them. Trusted roofing contractors will have a website, a social media presence, and, most likely, customer reviews.

2.  Ignore Unsolicited Roofers

Roofing scams typically involve a crook coming on a door unexpectedly and claiming to have seen something wrong with the roof. You'll get a free evaluation and the pitch for immediate service at a discount if you pay in cash.

Sometimes they'll start on the job, then say it's worse than they imagined and ask for extra money.

Do not hire anyone who shows up unannounced; never pay 'upfront.' Do not enter into a cash-without-VAT agreement.

3.  Ask How They Plan to Do Your Job

If you need a good roofer, how do you know you're hiring the appropriate one? What kind of weather damage or roof leak do you have? Do you realize that it's time to replace your roof completely?

You may ask the licensed roofer all these questions and inquire about them extensively in the work process. 

Experienced roofers never hesitate to explain their action plan covering all these aspects, such as supplies, estimated time, and follow-up instructions.

You can find a reliable roofer through a home improvement app like Easefix.

4.  Ask How They Plan to Access the Roof

You should know how a contractor intends to get up onto the roof safely and what must be done. The use of a ladder for any work is strictly forbidden.

The lowest bids are typically given by inexperienced roofers who don't think they'll need scaffolding. In terms of the overall cost of roofing, scaffolding is a significant contributor. But scaffolding is essential for your roofers' safety while working at height.

Ask yourself one question before hiring a roofer who doesn't plan to use scaffolding. What would you do if a roofer was working on your house, fell off the roof, suffered permanent

injuries, or died?

5.  When Is A Building Permit Required?

If you need extensive roofing work at your home, you may visit Planning Portal, as you may need to have the roofing work approved by a building inspector. This is so if you add at least 25% of the house's size or replace more than 25% of the roof.

Knowing what kinds of materials are off-limits is essential. How much of an upgrade to your home's insulation is needed to meet the current building regulations' thermal requirements, and what are those needs? Keep in mind that it is the responsibility of the homeowner to seek out and obtain approvals from local building authorities.

6.  Affiliation with Relevant Trade Organizations

Choosing a roofing contractor member of a nationally recognized trade organization is best for a roof guarantee certificate. For instance, you can look up local National Federation of Roofing Contractors members through the NFRC website.

Another way is to find a reliable roofer that comes highly recommended by friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors. In the case of significant roofing work, you should look for recommended roofers who are a member of the Competent Person Scheme. 

A roofer, through this scheme, acts as a Building Regulations inspector. A Building Regulations Compliance Certificate and notification of Building Control will be issued automatically. 

The homeowner will also receive a guarantee guaranteed by insurance for ten years. You will be protected if a problem with the roofing and the contractor has gone out of business; any repairs won't increase your bill in any way.

7.  Insurance-Backed Assurances

Getting an insurance-backed guarantee is a good idea whether or not roofing work is performed under the Competent Person Scheme. There will be an added fee for this service. On the other hand, it is not dependent on the contractor's guarantee, which would be null and void if the contractor went bankrupt.

Verify the warranty is in writing. Take the time to read it. There is greater value in certain guarantees than others. On the other hand, a verbal one has no value.

8.  Quotes for Roofing Services

Always gather estimates from three roofing companies before making a final decision. Get written estimates and base your decision on the quality of the recommendations and details

provided. It's a good idea to seek out anything you don't understand, especially any specialized vocabulary, on the internet before making a final decision.

Before beginning any job, all parties should agree on a payment schedule. Remember that trusted roofing contractors never ask for complete upfront payment. 

Payment in total should be withheld until after the job is completed. Make an effort to settle on a retention payment. Final payment should only be made once you or someone you trust has reviewed and approved the work.

It's essential to remember that tearing off the old roof doesn't always mean there won't be any follow-up tasks. Fixing things like rotted woodwork is an example. Building some cushion

into your budget is essential in case something like this happens.

Key Takeaways    

Get as much information as possible regarding the roofing work you need and then act on it.

• Shortlist a roofing service with members in reputable trade organizations like the NFRC. Inquire for references from people you know and trust, especially those with similar work.
• Always get multiple quotations; don't just pick the cheapest one.
• Use a member of the Competent Person Scheme to secure an insurance-backed guarantee on critical work, such as a new roof.
• Easefix links you to the most trusted roofing contractors in your vicinity for any roofing requirements.
• Login to our app to find a reliable roofer near you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Where can I go for a reliable roofer in the UK?

Get referrals from people you know and trust, such as your family, friends, neighbours, or a credible trade organisation. Inquire of them which materials they would recommend employing and why. Request bids from multiple service providers before settling on one. The Easefix platform connects you with the best local roofing services for all your roofing requirements.

2.   What are the necessary skills for being a roofing contractor?

• Prior work history in roofing or a closely related field is preferred.
• Superb ability to work with wood
• Competence with a wide range of hand tools and equipment, including scaffolds, with a focus on safety
• Ability to maintain one's equilibrium and strength of body
• Aptitude to operate at heights for extended periods

3.   What do I need to know before I hire a roofer in the UK?

• For what length of time have you been operating?
• Does insurance cover them?
• Have they received positive feedback from previous clients?
• Use any third-party help?
• Is there more than one way to pay for the service?
• When requesting a quote, is there a fee involved?
• When will they survey the land.
• Offer work guarantees?

4.   What is the most challenging task roofers have to perform?

A roofing contractor's worst adversary is bad weather. They have trouble installing roofs in extreme weather, which causes them to have to redo their labor or delay the completion of their

projects.