Free tool
Spot a Rogue Roofer
A printable checklist of the warning signs — and the exact questions to ask — before you agree to any roofing work.
Print this, or keep it on your phone, and run through it before you agree to any roofing work — especially with anyone who turned up uninvited. It asks questions and flags warning signs only; it makes no judgement about any specific trader.
Your details
Roofer being considered
Warning signs — tick any you’ve seen
"We were working on a roof nearby and noticed yours"
The classic doorstep opener. A reputable roofer does not tout for work by cold-knocking about a roof "spotted from the road" — you should not be able to see most genuine roof faults from the pavement.
Pressure to decide today, or a "today only" discount
Urgency is a sales tactic, not a roofing need. A real roof problem is still there next week — a genuine tradesperson will give you time to think and to get other quotes.
Cash only, or a large cash deposit up front
Insist on a written quote and a traceable payment method. A big cash deposit before any work, with no paperwork, is a common way money disappears.
No written, itemised quotation
Everything — materials, labour, scaffold, waste removal, VAT treatment — should be written down before work starts, so there are no "extras" invented halfway through.
No verifiable address or landline — mobile number only
You want a business you can find again if something goes wrong. A checkable trading address and a real company name matter.
Reluctant to show insurance, or to put anything in writing
Ask to see their public-liability cover and get the scope of works in writing. Evasiveness here is a warning sign in itself.
"Your whole roof needs replacing" after a 30-second look
A snap diagnosis that jumps straight to the most expensive job — with no proper inspection, no photos, and no explanation — is a red flag. Ask to see the evidence.
Won’t provide references or examples of similar local work
A settled local roofer can usually point to work in your area. Total reluctance to share any is worth pausing on.
Questions to ask before you hire
- 1Can I have a written, itemised quote — materials, labour, scaffold, waste removal and VAT — before any work starts?
- 2Can you show me photos of the actual problem on my roof, and explain why the work you’re proposing is needed?
- 3What public-liability insurance do you carry, and can I see it?
- 4What guarantee or warranty comes with the work, exactly what does it cover, and is it in writing?
- 5What is your trading address and full company name?
- 6How and when do you take payment — and is a deposit required? (Avoid large cash deposits.)
- 7Can you give me references or examples of similar roofs you’ve done nearby?
- 8Will you leave the site safe and clear the waste when the job is finished?
Want a straight, no-pressure second opinion?
Book a free, no-obligation roof survey and we’ll tell you honestly what your roof does — and doesn’t — need. No hard sell, no cash-only, everything in writing.
No obligation — your details are only used to arrange your survey.
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