A roof provides your shelter. It protects you and your family from everything that nature can throw at it. So when things go wrong, it can be a very fraught time. Firstly you will worry about the cost of repairs or renewal work, then you become anxious about the disruption it could all cause and finally it dawns on you that you will need to find a trustworthy and reputable roofing contractor to carry the work out. It can be so hard to find a contractor that you will be comfortable working with and is capable of carrying out the work to a high specification so here are a few points to consider if you find yourself in the position of needing to use the services of a roofing contractor.
Look for a contractor that is a member of a recognised trade body
In the UK, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors Limited (NFRC) is the most widely respected organisation. They will check each and every member before they can join and they are all expected to follow a strict code of practice and keep up to date with the latest building regulations.
Find at least three roofing contractors
Choose at least three contractors to quote for the job. The quote should detail what materials the contractor intends to use and how they intend to go about completing the work.
Ask friends and neighbours for recommendations
Ask friends and neighbours for recommendations rather than picking random contractors. Remember to check that they are accredited and have all the relevant insurance in place, including Public Liability, Employer’s and Third Party Liability insurance. They should also provide a clearly written guarantee that is in addition to the NFRC’s.
Cheapest isn’t necessarily best
Don’t just automatically accept the cheapest quote. Look in greater detail at the materials. For example, cheaper quotes might make use of synthetic rather than natural slate which might not be acceptable from a visual or practical point of view.
Consider the environment
Ask the contractor if any of the existing slates and materials can be recycled for the job. It could save you some money as well as waste.
Make sure that you get everything put in writing
This includes getting any guarantees in writing as well as the costs, list of materials and schedule of work.
Account for the unexpected
It is impossible for anyone to accurately assess the condition of the roof until it has been stripped and all sub timbers etc have been thoroughly inspected. Roofing contractors often find that more remedial work is necessary once the roof cover has been removed so be prepared to cover the extra costs of more remedial works as necessary.
Building Control issues are your responsibility
The roofing contractor is not required to make arrangements to obtain planning consents, building warrants etc. If you do not have an architect or surveyor overseeing the work, make sure that you obtain the necessary consents yourself.
Complaints
You should always contact the contractor who should endeavour to resolve any issues in a courteous manner. If you are still not satisfied, you can contact the NFRC who will assist you and advise.