Roofers in your area

Choosing a Roofer

Roofing is a risky job that should only be done by specialists. Always check the tradesman's roofing qualifications and make sure they work in accordance with The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Work at Height Regulations 2005, and relevant Building Regulations, particularly part A: Structural Safety and part L: Conservation of Fuel and Power, when hiring a roofer to instal new fascia, soffit, or cladding. Find out if your contractor is a member of a Roofers Association like the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, The Single Ply Roofing Association, the Confederation of Roofing Contractors, or the Competent Roofer government programme.

Ensure that your contractor has valid Roofers Insurance, as well as legitimate Public Liability Insurance. Always obtain written quotations from at least three different roofers, as well as recent references and follow up on them. Finally, ask if their roofing work is protected by a warranty, and keep in mind that it is your job, not the roofer's, to obtain the essential planning clearance for your roofing job, so always double-check with your local authorities.

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Roof Replacement What You Need To Know

Getting a whole new roof on the house is one of the biggest projects you’re likely to undertake. It’s also not something you do every year, and very few homeowners have lots of expertise in this area. If you’ve gone through years of patching your roof and shelling out for repairs, there will come a point when you finally decide the only option is a new one. So what do you need to know?

Be Clear What You Want

Replacing the roof can mean lots of different things so you need to be clear what you want. Do you just want to replace the tiles or slates, or do you want the roofer to replace all the rafters and felt too? Often, you won’t be sure what you need at the start of the job, especially when you haven’t been able to get up on the roof for an inspection. It’s therefore really important to have an open and honest conversation with the builder or roofer about the desired end result. Explain that you don’t have an endless amount on money, but want a good job, rather than a cheap job.

Time the Work

Roofers don’t like working in pouring rain, and replacing the roof in autumn or winter can be tricky. Depending on the size of the roof, you’ll need a dry spell of four days to a week for a complete replacement. The weather can’t be guaranteed at any time of the year, but you’re more likely to get dry weather in spring or summer. Also, there is more daylight in the summer months and this can allow the workers to put in longer hours than in winter. Good roofers will be booking in large jobs like replacing a roof, months in advance. So don’t leave it until the last minute and expect your chosen roofer to be available at short notice.