What to Check Before Hiring a Roofer

Roofing is one of the trades where things go wrong most often. It is expensive work, it is hard for you to see what is happening up there, and there are a lot of unqualified people willing to knock on your door and offer to "fix" your roof. Here is how to protect yourself.

Never hire a door knocker

This is the number one rule. If someone knocks on your door unsolicited and says they have noticed a problem with your roof, be very sceptical. This is a classic tactic used by rogue traders. They create urgency ("your roof is about to collapse") to pressure you into making a quick decision. A legitimate roofer has enough work and does not need to cold-call on doorsteps.

Check for insurance

Roofing is dangerous work at height. If a roofer falls off your roof and does not have insurance, you could be liable. Ask for proof of public liability insurance (at least £1 million cover) and employer's liability insurance if they have any employees. Any professional roofer will have these and will not be offended when you ask.

Look for trade body membership

Membership of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) or the Competent Roofer scheme is a strong indicator of quality. These bodies require members to meet certain standards and carry proper insurance. It is not a guarantee of perfect work, but it significantly reduces the risk.

Ask about their experience with your roof type

Roofing is not one skill. Slate work is different from tile work. Flat roofing is completely different from pitched roofing. Lead work is a specialist skill. Make sure the roofer you hire has genuine experience with the specific type of work your roof needs. Ask to see photos of similar jobs they have completed.

Get a detailed written quote

A good roofing quote should specify exactly what work is being done, what materials are being used (including the type and brand of tiles, felt, battens, and flashings), whether scaffolding is included, and how long the job will take. Vague quotes like "re-roof front elevation, £3,000" do not give you enough information to compare quotes or hold the roofer accountable.

Understand scaffolding costs

Scaffolding is expensive and is often quoted separately. For a typical terraced house in the North East, scaffolding hire costs £500 to £1,200 depending on the duration and complexity. Some roofers include it in their quote, others do not. Make sure you know which. Also check whether the roofer arranges the scaffolding or whether you need to organise it yourself.

Typical roofing costs in the North East (2026)

These are rough guides for labour and materials:

• Replacing a few slipped or broken tiles: £150 to £400
• Re-ridging (re-bedding and re-pointing ridge tiles): £400 to £1,000
• Flat roof replacement (single garage): £1,000 to £2,500
• Full re-roof (3-bed semi, tiles): £5,000 to £10,000
• Full re-roof (3-bed semi, slate): £7,000 to £14,000
• Chimney re-pointing or re-flashing: £300 to £800

Check reviews and ask for references

Look at Google reviews and check their profile on North East Trades. Ask the roofer for contact details of two or three recent customers and actually ring them. Ask whether the work was done on time, on budget, and to a good standard. Ask whether there were any issues and how they were handled.

Payment structure

For roofing work, a small deposit (10% to 20%) on acceptance is reasonable, with the balance due on completion. For larger jobs, stage payments might be appropriate. Never pay the full amount upfront. If a roofer insists on full payment before starting, walk away.

Get a guarantee in writing

A reputable roofer should offer a workmanship guarantee of at least 10 years in addition to any manufacturer guarantees on the materials. Get this in writing. Insurance-backed guarantees (IBGs) are even better because they remain valid if the roofer goes out of business.