Roofers and Gutter Specialists

Why should I hire roofers to handle my roofing and guttering?

Although it may require some additional investment, working with roofing contractors will mean you have a reassuringly deep bank of knowledge to draw upon when it comes to what action is taken and which materials are most suitable. Do you need a full roof replacement or can it just be patched? Should you use EPDM proofing, invest in fibreglass roofing or consider metal roofing? Will the roof structure support your chosen roofing material? Do you need gutter cleaning or to have your gutters replaced? Roofers can also advise you on more specialist areas such as roof insulation and rainwater harvesting.

How will roofers construct my new roof?

Every roofing project is a little different but on a typical re-roofing job, your roofing contractors will firstly erect scaffolding around your property, strip off any existing roof covering and cover the roof using a breathable felt. Next they will batten the roof, and then they will begin tiling in the tile or slate of your choice. You might opt for a dry fix system or mortar to complete your roof.

What roofing material should I choose?

There are a wide variety of materials available and your roofers can help you decide which option is best. You might look at clay, slate or concrete tiles and your choice will depend on cost, the style of your home and the local roofing style. In the North West of the UK you will see a lot more slate tiling, whilst in the South East there is an abundance of clay roofs. If you are in a conservation area you may find that your choices are more limited and you may need to look for reclaimed tiles; local roofing contractors will be knowledgeable in this area, so ask for their advice, too.

How do I find good guttering specialists and roofers?

Search for roofers and gutter cleaning specialists in the Find a Pro section of Houzz. Read their profiles, try to match their core skills with the problem in hand – some specialise in flat roof repair using roofing felt, others only work with roof tiles – and then see what previous customers have to say about their quality of service. Ask for personal recommendations from friends and family. Ideally your shortlisted roofing and gutter specialists or experts are members of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), the Guild of Master Craftsmen or the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Each trade organisation demands a high level of expertise and imposes a code of conduct on its members. TrustMark is a government-endorsed scheme that independently assesses tradespeople and allows you to lodge a complaint if necessary – look out for that. Call them round for a consultation and make sure you request a written quote. Cheapest is not necessarily the best; more importantly, who can you work with?

Important questions to ask before hiring roofers or gutter cleaning specialist

• How long have you been a roofer and how many projects like this have you completed?
  
• Please can I speak to a few previous clients or read references?
  
• Who will be working on the project?
  
• Do you offer a free, no-obligation consultation?
  
• Please can you talk me through the different stages of the job and how long it will take to complete?
  
• Is your proposed solution in accordance with local building regulations?
  
• How much disruption will there be?
  
• Should it be a repair or a full re-roof?
  
• What materials would you recommend for my roof? Should I consider clay tiles, concrete tiles or slate tiles?
  
• Will you need scaffolding?
  
• Do you carry out gutter cleaning services too? Or will you replace all my gutters?
  
• Is your quote inclusive of VAT and all materials?
  
• Is your work under warranty?
  
• If there are problems after completion, will you address those free of charge?