Roofing is one of the most common sectors for rogue traders in the UK — partly because roof access is difficult, so homeowners often can't check the work, and partly because the consequences of a bad repair (a slow leak, hidden rot) can take months to become visible.
Asking the right questions upfront costs nothing and protects you from expensive mistakes. Here are the eight questions to ask every roofer before you hand over any money.
Can I see proof of your public liability insurance?
Any roofer working on your property should carry public liability insurance — this covers damage to your property if something goes wrong. Ask to see the actual certificate (not just a verbal assurance), and check the expiry date and the level of cover (minimum £1 million, ideally £2 million+).
🚩 Red flag: refuses to provide insurance details, or says "I don't need it for small jobs"Can you give me a written, itemised quote?
A verbal quote is worthless if a dispute arises. A reputable roofer should provide a written quote that itemises labour, materials, and any scaffolding costs separately. This lets you compare quotes fairly and protects you if the final bill doesn't match.
🚩 Red flag: insists on a verbal agreement, or quotes a lump sum without any breakdownDo you have local references or verifiable reviews?
Ask for the details of a recent customer in your area who you could contact. Alternatively, check their Google Business page, Checkatrade or Trustatrader profile — and look for reviews that mention specific job types and locations, not just "great job!" One-line five-star reviews are easy to fake; detailed, specific reviews from named individuals are much harder to manufacture.
🚩 Red flag: no verifiable reviews, reluctance to provide references, or only recent reviews with no historyWill you get on the roof to inspect it before quoting?
A roofer who quotes without getting on the roof is either very experienced with that specific roof type (and has done the job many times before) or is making up a number. For anything beyond the most straightforward tile swap, a proper inspection from roof level is essential to quote accurately. Be suspicious of anyone who quotes based on ground-level inspection only.
🚩 Red flag: quotes from the pavement without inspecting the roof structure or felt conditionWhat guarantee do you offer on the work?
Any reputable roofer should offer at minimum a 12-month workmanship guarantee. Some offer longer, particularly on flat roof installations where 10 or 20-year guarantees are common. Get the guarantee in writing as part of your contract — a verbal guarantee is extremely difficult to enforce.
🚩 Red flag: no written guarantee offered, or dismisses the question with "we've never had a comeback"Are you VAT-registered?
This isn't a red flag either way — many sole-trader roofers work below the VAT threshold (£90,000 turnover) and legitimately don't charge VAT, which can make them better value. However, a large company claiming not to be VAT-registered, or one that offers a cash discount to "avoid paperwork", is a potential sign of non-compliance. Always make sure your quote is clear on whether VAT is included or excluded.
What payment terms do you require?
Most reputable roofers ask for a deposit of 10–30% on acceptance of a quote — particularly if specialist materials need to be ordered. Anything over 50% upfront is a significant risk. Never pay in full before work starts. For large jobs, agree milestone payments tied to progress rather than a single lump sum.
🚩 Red flag: demands full payment upfront, insists on cash only, or won't provide a receiptHow did you find out about my roof?
If a roofer knocks on your door unsolicited — particularly after a storm — this is a major warning sign. Known as "storm chasers", these traders target homes that have suffered visible storm damage, often invent or exaggerate problems, and charge inflated prices for substandard work. Reputable roofers do not need to cold-call.
🚩 Red flag: unsolicited knock at the door, pressure to decide immediately, claims your roof is "dangerous"- Written quote received ✓
- Insurance certificate seen ✓
- Reviews checked on Google or Checkatrade ✓
- Guarantee confirmed in writing ✓
- Deposit <30% ✓
- No cash-only pressure ✓
How to Find a Good Local Roofer
The best way to find a reliable roofer is still personal recommendation — ask neighbours, family and friends who they've used. Failing that:
- Google Business profiles with recent, detailed reviews are a good indicator. Look for responses to negative reviews too — how a business handles complaints tells you a lot.
- Checkatrade and Trustatrader require membership and verification, which provides some protection — though reviews can still be selectively collected.
- The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) maintains a register of approved roofing companies who agree to a code of conduct.
- Get at least two quotes for any job over £500 — this also gives you a market benchmark so you can spot an outlier high or low.
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