Roofing is an unregulated trade in the UK — anyone can call themselves a roofer, which makes the paperwork your main protection. Roof renovations are also where extra-work invoices are the rule rather than the exception: unexpected defects 'under the felt' quickly run into four figures, and if that possibility isn't agreed in writing beforehand, you're in a weak position. We check your roofing quote before you sign.
What do we check?
- ✓ Price breakdown — is every item specified or only roughly estimated?
- ✓ Scope — what is and isn't included in this quote?
- ✓ Included / excluded — VAT, materials, transport, waste removal?
- ✓ Extra work — how and when is it communicated and approved?
- ✓ Warranty — on labour and materials, for how long and under what conditions?
- ✓ Schedule — is the completion date binding or only indicative?
- ✓ Payment — are instalments tied to progress or set arbitrarily?
- ✓ Terms — what are the cancellation and liability clauses?
- ✓ Missing information — what isn't stated but should have been?
- ✓ Questions for the supplier — concrete points to clarify.
Common risks
- ⚠ Extra work for 'rotten battens or decking' that only becomes visible once stripping begins — with no written approval process agreed
- ⚠ No price for scaffolding or edge protection — often a substantial extra on top of the quote
- ⚠ The leak warranty is just 1 year on labour, with no insurance-backed guarantee behind it
- ⚠ Re-covering a large part of the roof can trigger building-regulations insulation requirements — not mentioned or not priced
- ⚠ Asbestos (common in pre-2000 roofing materials) not surveyed, and waste removal not handled by a licensed carrier
- ⚠ Skip and waste costs missing — a skip on the public road needs a council permit
- ⚠ Door-knocking 'storm damage' crews after gales: pressure to sign immediately, cash up front
- ⚠ Roof overhangs, leadwork, side walls or guttering fall outside the described scope
Example questions for your supplier
After our analysis we send you concrete questions to put to the supplier. For example:
- 1 "Are the costs for scaffolding and edge protection included in the price?"
- 2 "What leak warranty do you provide, for how long — and is it insurance-backed?"
- 3 "How is extra work for hidden defects agreed — in writing, with a price, before the work continues?"
- 4 "Does this job trigger building-regulations insulation requirements, and is that included?"
- 5 "Has an asbestos survey been carried out, and who removes any asbestos — with which certification?"
- 6 "Are skip hire, the council skip permit and waste disposal included?"
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