How to Find the Best Roofer in London

The best roofer in London is an established local firm with recent, verifiable reviews on independent sites, a written guarantee, proper insurance and a detailed written quote after a proper survey. Check Checkatrade, TrustATrader, MyBuilder and Google reviews, verify any trade body logo on the official register, and compare at least three quotes before you commit.

It’s one of the most common questions we hear, and it gets asked everywhere from Quora to local Facebook groups. The honest answer is that there’s no official league table of London roofers. What there is is a short list of checks that quickly separates a reliable roofing company from someone with a van and a ladder.

We’ve been roofing across London, Hertfordshire and Essex since 2005, so here’s what we’d tell a friend.

Why is it so hard to find a good roofer in London?

Roofing isn’t a licensed trade in the UK, so anyone can call themselves a roofer. Add London’s mix of Victorian slate terraces, 1930s tiled semis and flat-roofed extensions, and you need someone who knows your type of roof, not just roofs in general.

Doorstep traders also tend to appear after storms, offering quick fixes at inflated prices. A few minutes of checking protects you from most of them.

7 checks before you hire a roofer in London

1. Read reviews on independent platforms, not just the roofer’s website. Look for a steady stream of recent reviews on Checkatrade, TrustATrader, MyBuilder and Google, ideally from jobs near you. At Empire, we hold a 4.96/5 rating on TrustATrader and 9.6/10 on Checkatrade, each from over 100 reviews. You can read our reviews here.
2. Ask how long they’ve traded under the same name. A firm that keeps changing its name is often outrunning its reviews. Our director, Chris Mills, founded Empire in 2005, and we’ve traded under the same name ever since.
3. Find out who will actually be on your roof. Some companies win the job and then hand it to whichever subcontractor is free. Our fitting teams work for us full time, so the standard you’re promised is the standard you get.
4. Insist on a survey and an itemised written quote. A good roofer looks before they price. After one of our surveyors visits, Chris will personally call you within hours to talk through what they found and give you a price. You’ll then receive a fully detailed written quotation within 24 hours of the visit.
5. Get the guarantee in writing. Ask how long the guarantee lasts, what it covers and who stands behind it. We offer up to a 20-year guarantee on new roofs. Our guide to choosing the right roofing warranty explains what to look for.
6. Check insurance and safe working. Any roofer working on your home should be fully insured and use proper access equipment such as scaffolding. We’re fully insured and follow safe working practices on every job, large or small.
7. Verify accreditations and ask about Building Regulations. Logos are easy to copy, so ask for a membership number and check it on the scheme’s own website. If you’re replacing a large part of your roof, the work usually needs Building Regulations sign-off. Ask your roofer how this will be handled and make sure you receive the certificate, as you’ll need it when you sell.

What are the red flags when choosing a roofer?

• Pressure to decide today, or a price that’s only valid if you sign now
• Cash only, or a large deposit before any work starts
• A one-line quote with no breakdown of materials, labour or access
• No landline, no business address and no reviews you can check

If you want to see who you’re dealing with, you’re always welcome at our office and showroom at Unit 50, Hillgrove Business Park, Nazeing, EN9 2HB.

Is the cheapest roofing quote ever the best choice?

Rarely. A low price often means cheaper materials, skipped steps such as proper flashing or ventilation, or no guarantee at all. A repair that fails in the first winter costs far more than doing it properly once. We explain why in the hidden costs of ignoring small roof repairs.

Compare like for like: the same materials, the same scope and the same guarantee.

Which parts of London do we cover?

We work within a 40-mile radius of our Nazeing office, which covers much of North and East London. That includes Barnet, Enfield, Southgate, Tottenham, Woodford, Ilford and Croydon. If your area isn’t listed, get in touch, and we’ll confirm whether we can help. See our London roofing services page for more.

We handle everything from roof repairs and slate or tiled roofs to flat roofs, lead work, Velux roof windows and UPVC fascias, soffits and guttering. You can browse past jobs in our portfolio.

What should I do if I need an emergency roofer in London?

If water is coming in, move valuables away from the leak, contain the drip and stay off the roof. Then call a roofer with a genuine emergency line. We offer a 24-hour call out: ring 01992 623 267 and choose option 4.

Frequently asked questions

1. Do roofers in London need a licence? No. Roofing isn’t a licensed trade in the UK, which is why reviews, guarantees, insurance and verified accreditations matter so much.
2. How many roofing quotes should I get? Three is a sensible number. It gives you a feel for fair pricing and shows you which roofer explains the work most clearly.
3. Do I need Building Regulations approval for a new roof? Usually, yes, if you’re replacing a large part of the roof covering or changing the structure. Your roofer or local building control can confirm what applies to your job.
4. How long should a roofing guarantee last? It depends on the work, but for a new roof you should expect a written guarantee measured in years, not months. Ours runs up to 20 years on new roofs.
5. Can I find a good roofer through Quora or Facebook groups? Recommendations are a useful starting point, but always check the roofer’s independent reviews, trading history and written quote before you book.

Get a free roofing quote

Looking for a roofer in London you can rely on? Contact our team or call 01992 623 267 for a free, no-obligation quote. Our office is open 8 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays.