How to spot a roofing scam
Roofs are one of the most essential property structures, keeping the elements outside and protecting building interiors. It only takes one part to go wrong to make a significant impact, such as overflowing gutters, a crumbling chimney stack or leaks coming in through loose tiles. That’s why it’s so important to have a trusted roofer you can rely on for ongoing maintenance, annual inspections and urgent roof repairs.
Unfortunately, roofing scams are common in the UK, but there are some tips you can follow to ensure you don’t fall foul of them. Here’s how to spot a roofing scam and avoid rogue roofers.
What are the most common roofing scams?
Roofing scammers will do all they can to get your money with minimal effort. Some of the most common roofing scams include unannounced visits, saying they were driving past your property and noticed a roof issue, offering a free inspection. They’ll often fabricate serious roof damage or deterioration, providing you with a solution.
They may tell you about a one-off special deal to help you out if you act now, only agreeing on this cheap rate if you accept their offer on the spot. Some scammers provide a made-up story about why they can do the work for such a low price, such as having leftover roofing materials from another job.
How do you know if you can trust a roofer?
To avoid rogue roofers, never accept the offer of a free inspection until you’ve checked they’re a legitimate company with experience and credentials. If they’ve approached you, ask for their company details and ensure you do your research.
A reputable roofer will provide a contract outlining the agreed service, a schedule of completion and a payment plan of when roofing fees will be paid at particular milestones. Avoid a roofer if they want all the money upfront. Having a contract in place will also help avoid spiralling job prices seen in roofing scams.
Do roofers give guarantees?
Always ask your roofer if they offer guarantees. While materials often come with a warranty, you want to know if the actual roofing work is covered.
Some trusted roofing contractors will provide a 10-year written guarantee for their services alongside longer warranties for selected materials. This guarantee ensures if there’s anything wrong with the installation during that time, they should come out and remedy the problem.
What accreditations should a roofer have?
There are lots of different accreditations, memberships and certifications a UK roofer might have, so always ask about this when hiring a contractor. This may include approvals from official bodies and roofing product manufacturers, such as the Confederation of Roofing Contractors, Trading Standards, BMI lcopal and Trust Mark.
Ask your roofer if they’re a registered installer of the products they want to use on your property, and check out customer reviews on sites like mybuilder.com.
Speak to a reputable roofing company
Are you looking for an accredited roofing company in and around the Surrey area? Speak to Collier Roofing. We offer trusted roofing services in Kingswood, Lingfield and beyond. For a free roof quote, please contact us.