What you need to know!
So you have done what you can to maintain your roof but the time has come to get it replaced. You are going to replace the crowning glory of your property, reinvest in protecting it and find the right person to do this for you. This is not something you should be doing without a little bit of research and knowledge.
Not making the right decisions now could mean that you end up paying for costly repairs before they are needed, you are overcharged, you have bad workmanship or worse, other parts of your property are left at risk too. Hopefully this article will help you in making the right choices.
Some questions to ask your roofing contractor
Can I see some testimonials?
If your contractor has not been recommended then it may be a good start to ask for a reference if you have any doubts about who you are using. Not everyone will be able to give you contact details but most established contractors will have testimonials on their website, maybe on their Facebook page or on sites such as Which? Trusted Traders.
Is the work guaranteed?
Different companies may give different guarantees. Be clear what you have in place to protect you should something go wrong further down the line.
Is my price a quote or an estimate?
Be clear what your price is. It may not be possible to give a fixed price on a job as roofers don’t have the ability to see under a structure so an estimate will be given. Understand if your quote is estimated what the potential costs could be in differing scenarios so there are no nasty surprises down the line.
Are you a member of the Competent Contractor Scheme?
If a company is replacing over 50% of your roof they must be a member of the Competent Contractor scheme.
If 50% or more of your roof needs to be replaced*, then under the Building Regulations, you must upgrade your installation to the current minimum standard and your Local Authority needs to be notified a minimum of 48 hours before work commences. Failure to comply could result in an enforcement notice from your Local Authority, and you will face difficulties when you decide to sell your property.
*Scheme does not apply to repairs or new work.
Taken from the Competent Roofer website
Other considerations
Don’t automatically choose the cheapest quote. If one company is clearly cheaper than the others the materials used may be different or the extent of the work they are doing. Be sure you are comparing apples with apples!
Cherwell Roofing are a member of the Competent Contractor scheme and are always happy to share any information with you that makes your decision to choose a roofer easier. If we can help call 01865 370 846 or email [email protected].
