How do you find a quality roofer?

Mr Sparkle · 10 Mar 2021

I do not know anyone that offer a word of mouth recommendation

seemingly anyone can wake up and call themselves a roofer

I have seen people on this website say that you shouldn't use things check a trade

Given the above, how should you go about finding a quality roofer?

I have damp coming into the loft and bedroom areas. It could be coming from the parapet wall, which may need rendering and coping stones

The job is in the South London - Streatham area

MickyP10 · 10 Mar 2021

Seconded above. I have just asked my council if they have approved traders (they do not). And many of the reviews (Google, Checkatrade, etc) are clearly fiction...

teaboyjim · 10 Mar 2021

Get a recommendation from a good tradesman or builder

Harry Bloomfield · 10 Mar 2021

Not easy, but check traders have a landline number and a proper business address, check they are genuine, a sign written van also helps. A drive around your local area might turn up such a company at work on a property. Ask the company for local customer references, work they have already completed and check with those customers that they have had a decent job done. The company should not mind you doing this, I as a customer would not mind either, if I was happy with the work done.

Best to ignore the Checkatrade type websites, where those listed pay to be listed and can have their mates put glowing reviews on the site. Established reliable companies have more than enough work on through recommendations, without paying such sites to list them. Even a didicoy, passing through the area with a caravan, can easily set themselves up on those sites for work. They don't go door to door touting for work now.

When you do find a good tradesman, hang on to them and do recommend them to others.

teaboyjim · 10 Mar 2021

Harry Bloomfield said:
When you do find a good tradesman, hang on to them and do recommend them to others. Established reliable companies have more than enough work on through recommendations, without paying such sites to list them.

Would you expect a good builder or tradesman to have pictures/a portfolio of their work ?

Harry Bloomfield · 10 Mar 2021

teaboyjim said:
Would you expect that a good builder or tradesman will have pictures/a porfolio of his work or not necessarily?

It would help, but photos for a portfolio are easy to copy and paste from the Internet - as I suggested via PM a neighbour did exactly that for their website, copied and pasted from a large businesses commercial website. A portfolio, backed up with names, addresses and contact numbers has more value.

ETAF · 10 Mar 2021

+1 agree with everything
Harry Bloomfield says here
its very difficult, as i have experienced, trying to get good quality trades in, and have certainly when using checkatrade had obvious cowboys turn up - and had to use checkatrade when all else failed, to my disappointment.
had one company did a very bad job, replacing a soak-away , completely did it wrong, had to come back and redo the whole thing and then they went out of business, they had an average 9.8 on checkatrade with lots of very good reviews about 200 ish and the bad ones where about timekeeping.
next , had a roofer here to replace all fascias / soffits and also redo part of the roof , plus a new flat roof section.
They amy as well have had horses outside, one of the guys said, they would over plastic the existing wood as that was all good, having checked it all - I knew a bit was rotten, so took him round a proceed to push my fingers through part of fascia, BUNGALOW - and then asked them politely to leave.
When i have had recommendations , had quite a few occasions where the trade guy, just does not turn up or turns up , spends time and then does not quote.

It really is worth doing the following, as suggested

A drive around your local area might turn up such a company at work on a property. Ask the company for local customer references, work they have already completed and check with those customers that they have had a decent job done.

I have managed to find a few good trades now. Still an issue getting them to site , often have 2 to 3 months work on hand , they will come around to quote but then booking is 2-3months away , which is a good sign, sometimes , had a cancellation and managed to get round earlier - BUT that has only been 1 occasion and genuine

teaboyjim · 10 Mar 2021

eta said:
had one company did a very bad job, replacing a soak-away , completely did it wrong, had to come back and redo the whole thing and then they went out of business, they had an average 9.8 on checkatrade with lots of very good reviews about 200 ish and the bad ones where about timekeeping.

At least you managed to get them to redo the work to an acceptable standard

MickyP10 · 10 Mar 2021

Re recommendations, I asked my neighbour who did her roof, which looked impressive, and she gave a name, then said it was sub-contracted to another company - who has a website and lots of nice pics. Emailed them and heard nothing back. The jobs looks great, but the subbie may have moved on and/or the company aren't replying to emails. Do I get on the phone or move on?

teaboyjim · 10 Mar 2021

People often give references based on people being nice without really knowing their experience and skill level

Barthy · 10 Mar 2021

From personal experience when you find a decent reliable tradesmen whether it's a mechanic roofer dentist or window cleaner, if it works for you keep hold of them.
There's no black and white solution.
I know plenty of good roofers I'd happily recommend if I didn't recommend myself.
We're not all con artists that wake up roofers.
It's a skill that takes time to learn.

diy_fun_uk · 10 Mar 2021

Our local council has a trusted trader scheme. Companies wishing to be featured are vetted by trading standards and the scheme is backed by Police Scotland. Not saying it's full-proof (tbh what is?) however I'd sooner go with a company featured in that scheme than a random ad in a local rag. And if they're members of things like the Guild of Master Craftsman and Constructionline accreditation that surely means at least something in terms of their approach to business?

This thread is very relevant to me as one of my BTLs is very likely needing re-tiled

so I'm in the process of getting 3 x quotes from local roofers.

And although we all need to start somewhere, I'm instantly quite dubious of tradespeople that have a website with 'examples of their work' and you can kind of tell at least some or all of the pics have been lifted from the Internet.

Old Salt · 10 Mar 2021

I found a good roofer. Moved back into the area after 20 years away, bought a bungalow that needed work and had a leaking roof. Looked on google, check a trade etc and found a local roofer who’s name I recognised from 20 years previously. He came round and quoted, did the work a few weeks later and then explained how he and his grandfather fitted the roofs on the adjoining estate. It was his grandfathers name I had recognised. Told me a couple of shortcuts to the nearest pub and did exactly what he said he would do for the price we agreed. Top bloke and now in my address book along with the brickie, plasterer and carpenter.

Alastairreid · 10 Mar 2021

Local roofing or builders merchants know the good guys, ask them.
Or trade body NFRC.

MickyP10 · 10 Mar 2021

Good advice. Thank you.

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How do you find a quality roofer?

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