Key points
- Check the business is real and traceable, and that you contacted them, not the other way round.
- See the insurance certificate and check any scheme membership on the scheme’s own website.
- Insist on an inspection, a written itemised quote and a written guarantee.
- Avoid full payment upfront and doorstep pressure.
- For contracts agreed at your home, you usually have 14 days to cancel.
In this guide
Hiring a roofer usually happens at the worst possible moment: water is dripping into a bucket, the forecast is bad and you need someone now. A short checklist stops that pressure from making the decision for you. Work through the twelve checks below before you agree to anything, and you will filter out most of the problems homeowners run into.
The 12-point checklist
1. A real business you can trace
Look for a full business name, a landline or office address, and an email address on a matching website. For a limited company, a free Companies House search shows when it was set up and who the directors are. A firm that only gives a mobile number and a first name is hard to hold to account.
2. They came to you because you asked
Find roofers yourself: through recommendations, local searches and review platforms. Be cautious of anyone who knocks on your door unprompted to say they have “spotted” a problem with your roof.
3. Insurance you have seen, not just heard about
Ask for a copy of the public liability insurance certificate and check the name, the cover level and the expiry date. If the firm employs staff, it should also hold employers’ liability insurance, which is a legal requirement for most employers.
4. Memberships checked at the source
Roofing is not a licensed trade in the UK, so anyone can call themselves a roofer. If a firm says it belongs to a scheme such as the NFRC, TrustMark, the Competent Roofer scheme or a Trading Standards approved trader scheme, look it up on that scheme’s own website rather than trusting a logo.
5. Someone actually looked at your roof
A proper quote follows a proper inspection: from the roof itself, from a ladder or scaffold, or with close-up photos. Ask to see the photos of the problem. A price given from the pavement in two minutes is a guess.
6. A written, itemised quote
It should list what will be done, the materials, whether scaffolding and waste removal are included, the price with VAT shown clearly, the start date and how long the quote is valid. Get two or three quotes for anything beyond a small repair and compare them line by line.
7. A clear answer on “what if they find more?”
Rotten battens or timbers often only show once a roof is opened up. Ask how extra work will be agreed. The right answer is that they stop, show you, explain and get your agreement in writing before carrying on.
8. Sensible payment terms
A modest deposit for materials on a larger job can be reasonable when it is agreed in writing. Full payment upfront, cash-only deals or pressure to pay before work starts are warning signs.
9. A written guarantee that says what it covers
Ask how long the guarantee lasts, whether it covers workmanship, materials or both, and what would void it. Keep it with your house documents. Manufacturer warranties on materials are separate, so ask about those too.
10. Their own team, or named subcontractors
Ask who will actually be on your roof. Many good firms use their own staff; others use trusted subcontractors. Either can work, as long as you know who is responsible.
11. Safe access and care for your property
Ask how they will get onto the roof safely, whether scaffolding is needed and how they will protect your garden, windows, conservatory and driveway.
12. Your right to change your mind
For most contracts agreed in your home, consumer law gives you a 14-day cancellation period, and the trader should tell you about it in writing. If you ask for urgent work to start straight away, you may have to pay for work already done, so read the paperwork.
Red flags that should stop you
- “I’ve got materials left over from another job, so I can do it cheap today.”
- A price that is only valid if you agree on the spot.
- Photos on a phone that they say show your roof, which you cannot check.
- No written quote, no address and no insurance certificate.
- A claim that your whole roof must be replaced, with no clear reason given.
If you feel pressured, say no and close the door. A reputable roofer will be happy to come back.
If something goes wrong
Start by raising the problem with the roofer in writing, with dates and photos, and give them a fair chance to put it right. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a service must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, so you are entitled to ask for poor work to be fixed. If that does not work, the Citizens Advice consumer service can advise you and pass the case to Trading Standards. If the firm belongs to a trade body or scheme, use its complaints process too. As a last resort, smaller claims can go through the county court small claims process.
How Amvi Roofing Ltd works for homeowners in West London
Amvi Roofing Ltd is a roofing company serving homeowners across West London. We handle roof repairs, roof replacements, maintenance, chimney flashing and emergency roofing.
- Fully insured.
- A written guarantee on our work.
- Our own in-house team, so the people who quote are the people responsible for the job.
- Free quotes with no hidden costs.
- 24/7 emergency response for urgent leaks and storm damage.
Our office hours are Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm. Call us on 07404 503627 or 07438 092223, email info@amviroofingltd.co.uk or send us a message, and we will arrange a free quote. You are welcome to put any of the twelve checks above to us.
Related reading: our roofing services, roof repairs in West London and new roofs and roof replacement.
Frequently asked questions
Is roofing a regulated trade in the UK?
No. Unlike gas work, roofing does not need a licence, so anyone can call themselves a roofer. That is why it is worth checking insurance, written paperwork and any scheme membership yourself.
How can I check a roofer’s insurance?
Ask for a copy of the certificate and check the business name, the type of cover, the cover level and the expiry date. If anything looks unclear, you can contact the insurer named on the certificate to confirm it.
What should I do if a roofer knocks on my door?
Do not agree to any work on the doorstep. Take a name and number if you wish, then arrange your own inspection and written quotes from roofers you have checked independently.
Can I cancel a roofing contract after signing?
For most contracts agreed in your home, you have 14 days to cancel. If you asked for the work to start during that period, you may have to pay for work already carried out.
What can I do if the work is poor?
Put the problem to the roofer in writing with photos and give them a chance to fix it. Services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill. If that fails, Citizens Advice can help and may refer the case to Trading Standards.
Does Amvi Roofing give free quotes?
Yes. We give free quotes with no hidden costs, and we are happy to answer any of the questions in this checklist before you decide.
