Why Is It So Hard to Find a Good Roofing Contractor?

As with any trade, not all roofing contractors are equal. Some are expert and conscientious, and will offer an excellent service. Some are well-meaning, but lack the experience to meet all the challenges fully. And some, of course, are out-and-out cowboys. But how can you sort the good from the bad?

Reputations Are Earned

The chances are a top-class, reliable roofing firm will have a substantial history of great work, or else an experienced roofer may have just started their own business. Whether as a firm or an individual, make sure you check the experience of the roofing contractor you hire.

The best recommendations come personally from someone you trust, but you can also judge a contractor’s reputation by membership of trade schemes like MyBuilder, Trustatrader or Checkatrade. These schemes only list companies whose standards they’re satisfied are high.

There are many different types of roof, from flat to pitched, and numerous materials. Roofing contractors often specialise, so it’s vital to make sure the contractor you choose has a solid record of the type of work you need doing.

Estimates and Guarantees

You can tell a good deal about a roofing contractor’s quality by the estimates they offer, and more by asking the right questions. Are they offering a quote or an estimate? It’s not always possible to give an exact quote for a roofing job, since extra damage may emerge once the work has begun. A reputable contractor will clarify where you stand with any figure they give you.

Make sure you get any quote or estimate in writing, and that payment will be fully receipted. If a contractor deals “cash in hand, nothing written down”, you’re highly unlikely to get even adequate results. You also won’t have any come-back if there are problems with the work later.

Speaking of which, any contractor that doesn’t offer a written guarantee of at least ten years, and preferably fifteen as we do, should be avoided. Also, establish in advance exactly what the payment schedule will be. You may need to pay a deposit, for instance, but you should on no account settle the full amount before the work is finished to your satisfaction.

Don’t be afraid to ask the contractor for detailed plans, including what materials they’re proposing to use. Remember that the cheapest quote isn’t always the best — make sure they’re not cutting corners.

Feel free to get in touch to discuss your roofing needs. And other companies, too — like any quality contractor, we’ve no reason to worry about that.