Like any other tradesmen, it’s often complex and confusing when selecting the correct company to fix or renew your roof, particularly the variation in costings from one roofer or roofing company to the next. So, how do you know you’re getting a good roofing company? That they can be trusted, know what they’re doing, will do it on time and look after your peace of mind as well as your property?
The costs can be poles apart for the same job with the same materials from different companies, so here’s out handy guide to choosing the best roofing company:
- Get three estimates for the same work with the same materials.
- Find out how long each business has been established and their roofing credentials/membership of professional bodies.
- Be specific about the job when asking for a quote.
- Make sure the quotes include everything that needs done and there are no ‘extras’ - or at least make sure they inform you IN WRITING that extras may have to be added and what they are for.
- What about service after the work has been done?
- Do not be afraid to ask questions. It’s your house and property. If something is niggling you about their work, estimate, materials, timescales, ask them. If they don’t have a good answer, don’t hire them.
- Ask about their health and safety policy – is there one?
- Look for the contractors’ public profile. Are they members of professional bodies? Do they have testimonials from other clients? Proper signage on vans? What other work have they undertaken? Check the internet for anything about them on websites and forums.
It all comes down to trust in the end. So, if in doubt, don’t hire!
Pretty good advice you would think! but does anyone really take any notice
Saturday morning 3 men pulled up at my neighbours' in
Camberley Surrey knocked on the door asked if he wanted his hedge cut they were there 20 mins cutting the hedge looked ok I suppose and I assume he paid them and the were on their way with a bit of cash in their hand.
I got a phone call from my wife around 9 on Monday morning someone is up on the neighbours roof stripping of tiles, no scaffold no handrail just off ladders, I was only local to Camberley so I went home to have a look, the gardeners from Saturday were now
roofers I asked what the were planning and they told me they were doing the fascia's as all the wood was rotten I asked if they were aware that the soffit boards were asbestos based I then got a load of verbal abuse.
Who should this be reported to I thought?
Trading Standards, HSE, Environmental Health , Local Council, Citizens advice
Well I tried to contact them all and got absolutely nowhere
And who pays their wages the general public for no service whatsoever
So carry on lads its perfectly ok to work off ladders, strip out asbestos cement soffits rip people off because no one cares at all.
I pay thousands in Public Liability Insurance, Use a scaffold, take notice of HSE guidelines, Licenced to carry any waste I produce, Pay fees every month to several trade associations, and pay tax and insurance to HMRC
WHY DO I BOTHER
Thinking about getting a caravan few ladders go knocking on peoples doors I'll be driving round in a Bentley in no time
