By admin
In need of some roofing repairs? Whether it’s a full roof replacement or just a small job, you’ll need to find yourself a reliable roofer. You’ll be looking for the right blend of quality work and professionalism, as well as a price you can afford.
So, how do you find a great roofing contractor in your local area? Read our tips on finding a trusted professional.
Tip 1 – Check the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (Nfrc) Member Directory
Your first port of call to find a verified roofer is a roofing association like the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). They have a list of members, along with areas they work in and contact details. Everyone on this list has passed the NFRC’s rigorous vetting procedure, ensuring they meet the highest standards.
You can also try other associations, such as:
- Confederation of Roofing Contractors (CORC)
- Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Tip 2 – Ask a Friend or Family Member for a Recommendation
Many people find reliable tradespeople through personal recommendations. If someone you trust has had good quality work carried out, it can give you more confidence in using that very same tradesperson.
Just bear in mind that this method of finding a roofer isn’t foolproof, however. Things can sometimes go wrong during a job and not everyone is guaranteed to have the same positive experience.
It might be worth cross-referencing any recommendations you’re given with companies registered with a roofing association like the NFRC.
Tip 3 – Get 2-3 Quotes for Roofing Work
Ideally, you should get three quotes for the work, although two may suffice. This will give you an idea of what the job should cost, and help you to identify any ‘too good to be true’ prices.
Just be wary of any roofer who gives you a quote without coming round to take a look in person, unless they’re just giving you a ballpark figure and will follow it up with a visit.
The only way to assess the cost of roofing work accurately is with a thorough in-person inspection, involving going up on a ladder and checking all affected areas.
Tip 4 – Check for Insurance
It’s easy to assume that anyone calling themselves a roofer will have the right insurance cover in place. But unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. It’s always worth asking for evidence of insurance cover, which protects you and your home, the roofer and their employees.
Roofing contractors should ideally have the following insurance policies:
- Public liability insurance
- Employers’ liability insurance.
They may also have financial loss insurance and cover for their tools.
Tip 5 – Get Quotes, Contracts and Payment Terms in Writing
Before going ahead with any roofing work, it’s wise to get everything in writing first. This means quotes or estimates, contracts, timescales and payment terms. The clearer everything is for all parties upfront, the less likely it is that any disputes or misunderstandings will occur later on.
Tip 6 – Read Reviews
While not a cast-iron way to check a roofer’s credibility and experience, it could be worth having a quick look at any reviews from former customers that are available online.
Just make sure to take them with a pinch of salt – as some positive ones may be false or written by the contractor’s friends and family, while negative ones could be due to unrealistic customer expectations, bad weather (causing roofing delays) or other circumstances outside of the roofer’s control.
Use reviews to get a general overview of the contractor, and to flag up any issues mentioned by multiple reviewers.
