People are often wary about contractors working on their roof. There are stories about people who promise to do work and then leave. However with the right approach it is possible to find a reliable and qualified roofing contractor who will do the best job for you.
Accreditation!
The first thing to do is to make sure that the roofing contractor that you select is properly certified. A good example of this is the CompetentRoofer accreditation, a government backed scheme that contractors achieve to prove that they are skilled enough to comply with local building regulations in England and Wales (there should also be equivalent certifications in other parts of Britain as well.)
Furthermore, if you need to replace your roof (more than 50 per cent) then it is a legal requirement to notify and comply with building regulations. Competent roofer accredited contractors can self certify compliance and must undergo regular inspections.
Roofing contractors have to be inspected and audited before they get this accreditation, so if you see the competent roofer logo then you can be rest assured that you are getting work from a dedicated professional.
Another aspect of this is replacing insulation, something that LABC (Local Authority Building Control) require is that your home is brought up to current energy standards. This means more work goes into your roof than you might expect.
Using an accredited roofing contractor, you get a workmanship guarantee (which lasts ten years and is covered under insurance). In the event of the roof failing to meet standards or the company goes into administration you are still covered under the terms of the guarantee.
What to be aware of
It is best to contact a company directly. Sometimes you may get representatives of a roofing company or sole trader offering to work on your roof. You should ask them what accreditation they have and if they are insured.
Be very wary if they are evasive if this point and if they do not provide identification that you can independently verify or a central point of contact (for example they only give you a mobile phone number to call in the event of any issues.) They may then offer to do work for you at a discount and often if you pay the full amount upfront or pay in cash. It is recommended that you do not pay the full amount upfront or in cash as this is typical rogue behaviour.
Talk to a professional.
Ideally, you should have your roof inspected by an accredited roofing contractor at least once every six months or so (more in areas with high winds or heavy rainfall). This allows you to spot any problems so that any repairs to your roof won’t be as expensive as a full replacement. Of course, sometimes events can happen and more extensive repair work will need to be done on your roof.
By looking up accredited CompetentRoofer companies in your local area you can avoid a lot of potential issues, giving you the security and peace of mind you deserve while your roof is being repaired.
