To find the right roofing contractor for your needs, there are a few things to consider. Whether you need roof repairs, replacement or a new roof, it’s important to find the right person for the job. Poor quality work can cost much more down the line.

This guide will help you find a good roofer, get a fair quote and understand what to ask before making any commitments.

Importance of finding a good roofer

The roof is a fundamental part of any home. There are a number of factors that affect the health of your roof, including the temperature and humidity levels. If left unchecked, even minor problems can escalate into something serious, such as damp and mould. This can spread down to the timbers in your home, putting both you and your family at risk.

Bad repair jobs and installations often lead to more damage, so getting the work done properly the first time is an absolute must. In fact, a good repair should last 20 years or more, so paying for quality work now really pays off in the long run. 

Furthermore, it’s important to find a good roofer that you can trust to do the job well and not sell you on anything you don’t need. This will give you peace of mind that your home is protected.

How to find a good roofer

If you are looking for a roofer to work on your next project, the list below will give you a good start for your research.

• Trade Associations: One of the best ways to find a quality roofing contractor to work on your project is through joining a trade association. A trade association is a group made up of member businesses. They require their members to be very selective in who they invite to join, as well as follow their high standards of practice. One such trade association is the NFRC, and is one of the best ways to find a quality and trustworthy roofing contractor. The NFRC membership means that your contractor has met rigorous and regular vetting and standards, as well as providing their members with frequent advice.
• Recommendations from family and friends: Your family, friends, and even neighbours can be an excellent source for recommendations. If you know someone who has recently had work done then ask them if they would recommend their tradesperson to a friend or colleague. It is however better that you research any personal recommendations online and look for their reviews on Google Business Profiles, TrustPilot, and CheckATrade. At SPS Roofing, we have maintained 5 star reviews for all domestic, commercial and industrial projects.
• Local recommendations: You can alternatively find a good roofer in local websites or directories such as Yelp, Yell or Scoot. You could also walk around the area where you will likely see specialists putting up a sign during the work, so note down their details (or take a photo with your phone) as you never know when they’ll come in handy.

Factors to consider when hiring a roofer

In addition to reviews and recommendations put forward by friends and family, it’s also important to ask the right questions when you want to find a good roofer. Below are some considerations and questions you could ask:

Experience

Do they have the right experience for your project? If your roof requires specialist materials (like fibreglass) or more advanced techniques (such as thatching), only an experienced roofer will be able to achieve the high standard you demand. Are they a member of any industry bodies? Make sure they have the qualifications and that they belong to the appropriate associations.

SPS Roofing has over 30 years of experience in the roofing industry. This speaks for countless hours spent on projects across all types including domestic, commercial and industrial ones.

Qualifications

There are NVQs/SVQs your roofer can complete in relation to the various disciplines within the industry, which you may well want to consider before deciding on your roofer; however, it is important to note that these qualifications are not a prerequisite. As you may find more experienced roofers without any formal qualifications. So whilst you should consider qualifications, this shouldn’t be your only determining factor when deciding which roofer to use, and you should also consider other factors such as if they are members of a trade association such as the NFRC.

At SPS Roofing, our roofers are fully accredited and approved with Bauder, SMAS, Constructionline Gold Membership, CSCS and CITB.

Insurance

If you’re looking for a good roofer to install new, or repair your current roof, then it’s worth considering the number of insurances they have, as these can offer you extra peace of mind. Also, if the roofing company has more than one employee, it’s recommended they have employers liability insurance as well.

At SPS Roofing, to give our customers peace of mind in knowing they have chosen professional roofing contractors, we have Public Liability Insurance up to £5,000,000.

Physical Presence

You could also check to ensure they have a physical address and a phone number and check their working location covers your area as well. This is also important to assess if they have been around for a long time and aren’t just “passing through”. 

At SPS Roofing, our main office is based in Exeter which gives our roofers the opportunity to easily travel, but not limited to, our core service areas which mainly cover Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

Questions to ask a roofer before hiring

Choosing to have your roof installed by a professional means leaving yourself open to a greater number of work-related risks. But letting yourself trust the wrong contractor can be disastrous. Here are some questions you could ask and even bring up for discussion:

• What is the estimated timeline? This is important as you will need to make plans/arrangements accordingly.
• What are the materials used? Good roofing contractors will be able to say the materials that will be used which should then reflect in the quote.
• Do you offer any guarantees? Contractors and manufacturers often offer warranties which cover material problems, but these do not cover the work itself. Check for a guarantee of quality, or for a commitment to put things right should any issues occur after the roofers have left your home.
• Who’s responsible for obtaining planning permission? You should clarify this clearly as whose responsibility it is to obtain planning permissions (if required). This will help avoid any confusion later on.
• Will there be a project manager? For larger jobs, such as a new roof or roof conversions, it’s important that the roofer assigns a project manager to ensure everything goes smoothly. As such, you need to check if they’ll be easily available should you have questions.
• What if there are any delays? It’s important that you ask this question if you’re on a tight schedule. As such, you could ask the roofing contractor if there are contingencies due to delays. These could be in the form of adding extra contractors, being compensated for delays etc.

Final thoughts

As you may have noticed, it takes quite an effort to find a good roofer. But a quick search on Google can help you determine if the roofers that show up are good or not based on the reviews published by their past clients. Alternatively, it’s important that you ask them the right questions too.

At SPS Roofing, we are very confident on providing the absolute best service as we have been doing for the past 30 years. If you’re trying to find a good roofer, then please feel more than welcome to contact us for a free quote and consultation.