Notes

There are a few key factors to take into consideration when choosing a roofing contractor. In this post, we'll guide you through these steps step-by-step.
Choose someone with many years of experience in a specific field.

Make sure to select someone who has a thorough inspection of the area in detail

Request each tradesperson to provide an exact price

Find out whether the tradesperson has appropriate safety equipment

Make sure that every tradesperson you deal with is honest about equipment rental costs

Never pay the full amount upfront!

Verify whether each tradesperson belongs to CompetentRoofer.

Check that the work has been carried out in accordance with standard

Let's take a close look at each one.


Select someone who has a lot of specific knowledge


What sort of a roof are you using? Thatching, slate tiling , and flat roof repairs all require different skills, so look out for a professional with particular experience in doing similar jobs as yours.


Glen Batt of Glen Batt Roofing Ltd has been a roofer for 11 years, and has more than 200 positive reviews on MyBuilder. He explains:


Choose a tradesperson proficient in your kind of work, especially if it's a large project like a new roof.


The majority of roofers are experienced in working with tiles and slates However, a lot of flat roof projects make use of fibreglass as well as other more modern materials that some roofers don't have any experience working with. Find someone who has worked with these materials previously. Get photographs of their work.




Ask an old client for large roofing jobs. Steven Cope of Scope Roofing has been working in the roofing trade since the end of the 1990s and has been a member on MyBuilder since the year 2009. He explains that an experienced roofing professional should be able to introduce you and your previous customers:


We'd usually show prospective clients our portfolio such as on an iPad. And if there's a job similar to one the customer would like to have completed We'd suggest putting them in contact with the person that had the task completed to go through the portfolio, speak to them and inspect the work.


Steven Cope of Scope Roofing


Hire someone who will thoroughly inspect the area


A homeowner's view of roofing work is often limited. They're typically incapable or unwilling to look at the issue or even take photographs. Glen insists that it is important to choose a tradesperson who inspects the job thoroughly and takes photos.


Be sure that every roofing professional who comes to quote actually inspects the location of the project. It's impossible to see the leakage from the ground if there isn't there already! Every tradesperson must inspect the roof and determine the cause. If a tradesperson gives you a quote from the ground, I'd advise against it.


Glen Batt of Glen Batt Roofing Ltd


After the tradesperson has assessed the work they will explain to you, in detail what is the issue and show you detailed photos. This is essential when it comes to roofing issues, because the homeowner might not have been able to access the area to check it.


If you can see photos and ask questions in depth about them, you're less likely to be sucked in by someone who says something is a bigger (and more costly) job than it actually is.


Steven Cope, Scope Roofing




Get a complete quote from each person you're interested in


Every tradesperson should be able to provide you with a clear and precise written quotation that provides an overview of the various expenses. They could include:


The employment of labour, including the hiring of sub-contractors

Materials

VAT, and any other taxes

Parking costs

Waste disposal costs

Additional tools can be hired and equipment

Site security or facilities - like fencing or a portable toilet


Every quote should also explain the pricing structure for the tradesperson (is it per hour, per day or one-time fee for the entire task?) and indicate when any payments must be paid. It's possible to ask yourself what if you'd be required to pay in advance for materials. Is the tradesperson willing to take payment for the whole project after it's completed?


Finally, each quote should include a step-by-step description of the steps the tradesperson will follow to complete your job.


Make sure you get the same details from every tradesperson you're considering - so you can compare them like-for-like. If you are concerned that the quote doesn't have certain details Do not be afraid to ask questions.

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Find out if an individual tradesperson wears proper safety equipment


There are numerous Work at Height regulations which each tradesperson must follow. The Health and Safety Executive has produced a brief guide to the rules and guidelines mean in practice.


If roofers are working at heights, scaffolding is not always necessary. It is all dependent on the work's complexity and size. Roofers should inform you the way he'll operate his equipment safely and in compliance with legal requirements.

Make sure each tradesperson is clear about the equipment hire charges


It is possible to lease some equipment for an expense. It is crucial to ask the person who is hiring you about any additional costs. Glen explains:


It's an individual choice as to what equipment tradespeople use. For instance, I do not employ scaffolding, but if a job requires scaffolding I'll never accept it.


There's nothing wrong in hiring a roofer who does use scaffolding, but homeowners should be aware that hiring a scaffolder is expensive, so the tradesperson should be warning you ahead of time, prior to when you make a decision to hire them, about the additional costs.


Ideally, they should include the cost of the scaffolding in their quotation, and separate from the cost of labor and other materials.


Glen Batt of Glen Batt Roofing Ltd



Don't pay upfront in full!


Some roofing specialists do not wait until the work is completed before receiving the money.


Some may require a deposit initially, particularly for larger projects. Don't make a commitment of more than 25% upfront.


Steven advises you to ask for payment deferrals. He explains:


Don't be uneasy asking a roofer for a way to delay the payments until the rain comes! This will let you check the repair. A good tradesperson who is confident in his work should have no problems with this.


Steven Cope of Scope Roofing





Check whether each tradesperson is a CompetentRoofer member


CompetentRoofer A Competent Person Scheme licensed by the government, permits roofing contractors and other professionals to self-certify compliance to Building Regulations in England and Wales.


CompetentRoofer members are not required. If the roof has been damaged for more than 50, and the member is not certified, you'll need to hire a local surveyor to check the work.

Ensure that the work meets the specifications


Once you've picked your tradesperson, and the job has been completed, Steven explains that you should get more photos prior to paying:


It is important that the tradesperson take plenty of photos of the job completed and provides the photos to you. This way, you can pick any areas that are not working as it should - like cracked tiles or the over-use of silicone before you hand over the cash.


Roofing contractor use drones to take pictures of large projects. So that customers can get an aerial shot of their house, as well as plenty of high-quality, clear photos of the work done, which they can easily zoom in on.


If something isn't right after the work is completed do not be scared to call in another company to check the work before you get the original company back out.


This is because you've an independent expert opinion. It's simply additional ammunition to keep on hand for the occasion of needing it.


Steven Cope of Scope Roofing

My Website: https://www.elev8roof.co.uk/