How to choose a good roofer near you

Start with a proper look at the roof

A trustworthy roofer wants to see the job before pricing it. Photos from the ground can help with a first conversation, but slipped tiles, cracked mortar, worn flashing and rotten timber are often only visible up close or from inside the loft. If someone offers a firm figure over the phone for anything beyond a very simple task, treat it as a rough guess rather than a quote.

During the visit, notice whether they explain what they found. A good tradesperson will point to the cause of a leak, not just the stain on your ceiling, and will tell you if a small repair is enough. Being told that a roof has years of life left is one of the clearest signs you are dealing with someone honest.

What a clear written quote should include

Ask for the scope in writing. It should say what will be removed, what will be replaced, which materials are proposed and how waste will be handled. For bigger jobs it should mention scaffolding, how the roof will be kept watertight while work is under way and what happens if hidden damage is found once the old covering comes off.

Vague wording such as "repair roof" leaves too much room for disagreement later. A specific description protects you and the roofer alike, and makes it far easier to compare two quotes fairly.

Questions worth asking before you agree

How long have you worked on roofs like mine? Slate, clay tile, concrete tile and flat roofs each call for different skills, and period properties often need matching materials. Will the same team be on site from start to finish? How will you protect gardens, driveways and paths? Who do I call if something is not right afterwards?

It is also reasonable to ask to see previous work. Photographs of finished projects, especially ones similar to yours, tell you more than a slogan on a van.

Warning signs to take seriously

Cold callers who say they noticed a problem while passing are a well known pattern in the trade. So is pressure to sign today to secure a discount, reluctance to give a landline or address, and requests for the whole cost in cash upfront. None of these automatically means fraud, but together they are a good reason to pause and get another opinion.

Another red flag is a quote that is dramatically lower than every other. Roofing materials and safe access cost what they cost, so a figure far below the rest usually means something is being left out.

Why being local matters

A roofer based near you can return quickly if a problem appears, understands the house styles and materials common in the area and has a reputation to protect among neighbours. Stonecroft Roofers works from the Guildford area across Surrey and Hampshire, so the people who quote are the people who come back if you need them.

When you contact us we arrange a visit, look at the roof properly and give a free, no-obligation quotation with the work described in plain English. If a repair will do, we say so.

Frequently asked questions