Roofer FAQs

Most roofers quote for the whole job rather than by the hour, so an hourly rate tells you little on its own. The quote moves with access, materials and how far the damage has gone. Our roof repair costs guide sets out typical UK day rates and job ranges.

That depends on what has failed and how the roofer reaches it. A single slipped tile and a leaking valley are very different jobs, and scaffold can outweigh the repair itself. The roof repair costs guide breaks it down by type of repair.

There is no single average worth quoting, because size, pitch, covering and scaffold all shift the figure a long way. Our guide to what a new roof costs gives ranges by house size and material, and flat roof replacement cost and conservatory roof replacement cost do the same for those roofs. We keep figures off every other page on purpose.

A leak should be fixed when it appears, whatever the month. Planned work is easier in the drier, longer days of late spring and summer, when roofers are less taken up with storm calls. Booking ahead for that window usually gets you a start date sooner.

Be wary of a cold knock at the door, someone who says your roof is unsafe without having been up there, pressure to agree on the spot, no written quote, no insurance certificate, and a demand for the full amount before work starts. Any one of them is a reason to pause, and two together is a reason to say no.

A good roofer gives you a written quote with the materials named, shows you their insurance certificates without fuss, explains what happens if they find rot, and puts your cancellation rights in writing. Check the Trading Standards Accredited (TSA) register, TrustMark ("the Government Endorsed Quality Scheme"), and NFRC CompetentRoofer membership for a re-roof. Our guide to how to choose a roofer goes through each check.

On domestic work, the Health and Safety Executive says a domestic client's duties automatically pass to the contractor under the CDM Regulations 2015, and the Work at Height Regulations 2005 aim to prevent death and injury caused by a fall from height. Under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957, if you took reasonable steps to check you were hiring a competent contractor, you are not generally answerable for their faulty work. Asking for their insurance certificates is part of that. General information, not legal advice.

No. We do not inspect, approve or check the firm, and we would rather say so than let you assume otherwise. We show you how to check them yourself in how to choose a roofer.

Sometimes. Sudden storm damage is a different thing from a roof that has worn out over years. The Financial Ombudsman asks whether there was a storm on or around the date, whether the damage is consistent with storm damage, and whether the storm was the main cause. Check your policy and speak to your insurer before permanent repairs, and photograph everything. Our guide to roof leaks and home insurance explains more.

If more than half the roof is being replaced, Approved Document L requires the insulation to be brought up to standard. A roofer who is a member of NFRC CompetentRoofer can self-certify the work. Otherwise, building control should be told before the work starts. Ask each roofer which route they will use.

A conservatory is usually exempt if it is at ground level, no more than 30 m² in floor area, glazed to Part K, kept separate from the house, and not heated by the house system. LABC guidance says a solid replacement roof that significantly cuts the glazing usually ends that exemption, so Building Regulations then apply. Planning permission is usually not needed, but it can be if the change significantly alters the roof. See conservatory roofs.

Yes. Telford & Wrekin Council's Article 4 direction for the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site covers roof alterations, rooflights, dormers and chimneys on houses that face a road, the river or open space. Ask the council's conservation team before you change anything. On the Jackfield and Broseley side, ask Shropshire Council.

You describe the job, we pass it to an independent local roofing firm, and they quote you direct. It is free for you. The firm may pay us for the introduction, and we do not do the work ourselves.

Every town and estate in Telford, plus Shrewsbury, Newport, Shropshire, Shifnal, Broseley, Much Wenlock, Albrighton and Bridgnorth. See see all service areas.

We are not a roofing supplies merchant, we do not cover chimney sweeping, and we do not pass on enquiries for pressure-washing tiled roofs. We don't supply new conservatories, windows or doors, we don't do floor or wall tiling, and we are not a jobs board.