What to look for in a roofer
- NFRC membership — The National Federation of Roofing Contractors is the leading trade body. NFRC members are independently inspected and offer insurance-backed guarantees on their work.
- TrustMark registration — TrustMark is a government-endorsed quality scheme. Registered roofers meet defined standards and their work can be covered by insurance-backed warranties.
- Manufacturer warranty authorisation — For specific materials (e.g., Marley, Redland tiles, or Firestone flat-roof membranes), check whether the roofer is an approved installer. This ensures the manufacturer’s warranty is valid.
- Public liability and employer’s liability insurance — Roofing is high-risk work. Insist on seeing current certificates for both public liability (£2 million minimum) and employer’s liability insurance.
- Scaffolding and safety compliance — Professional roofers use proper scaffolding erected by a licensed scaffolding company — not ladders propped against guttering. Ask about their health-and-safety approach before work begins.
Questions to ask before hiring
- What roofing system do you recommend for my property, and why? A competent roofer will assess your roof structure, pitch, and exposure before recommending materials. They should explain the pros and cons of options like concrete tiles, natural slate, or single-ply membranes.
- Is the work guaranteed, and is the guarantee insurance-backed? A verbal promise of a guarantee is worthless if the roofer goes out of business. Insurance-backed guarantees (IBGs) through schemes like NFRC or CompetentRoofer protect you if that happens.
- Will you inspect the timber and felt beneath the tiles? Replacing tiles without checking the battens, rafters, and underlay is a false economy. Ask whether the quote includes for timber repairs and breathable membrane installation.
- How will you manage rainwater during the work? An experienced roofer will explain how they will weatherproof sections each day to prevent water ingress. If they strip the entire roof on day one, ask what happens if it rains.
- Do I need Building Regulations approval for this work? Re-roofing more than 25% of a roof surface, or adding insulation, triggers Building Regulations. A competent roofer should know this and handle the notification through a competent-person scheme.
Red flags to watch for
- Knocks on your door unsolicited. Legitimate roofers rarely cold-call. Door-to-door roofers claiming they spotted damage from the street are a well-known scam pattern. Always get your own independent inspection.
- Offers a suspiciously low cash price. Roofers offering cheap cash deals are often avoiding VAT, using substandard materials, or both. Low prices frequently lead to leaks within months.
- No scaffolding plan. Working at height without proper scaffolding is illegal and dangerous. If a roofer says they can do the job from ladders to save money, they are cutting corners on safety.
- Cannot explain the ventilation requirements. Roof ventilation is critical to prevent condensation rot. If a roofer does not mention ventilation strategy, they may not understand modern building standards.
- No written specification of materials. The quote should name the exact tile type, underlay brand, and flashing material. Generic descriptions like “new tiles” leave room for substitution with cheaper products.
What to expect on costs
A full roof replacement on a typical semi-detached house costs £5,000–£12,000 depending on materials and access. Flat-roof replacements range from £1,500–£4,000. Ridge tile repointing costs £300–£600, and repairing a small leak might be £150–£400.
For a detailed breakdown, see our full cost guide.
Find rated roofers in Kent
- Roofers in Kent — county-level directory
- Roofers in Maidstone
- Roofers in Canterbury
- Roofers in Dartford
- Roofers in Tunbridge Wells
- Roofers in Ashford
Browse Roofing Supplies → Hand-picked by Kent tradespeople. Amazon UK prices.