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Original poster

To feel worried about roofers…

31 replies

BEAchDays2 · 01/09/2026 16:31

I need to hire a roofer because we have a Leake, and for some reason I actually feel really stressed about it. I think there is something about the fact that they go up on the roof and Check, and there seem to be so many different ways you can be scammed with Roofing! But you can’t sort of see what they can see… Does anybody have any horror stories, which led you to understand potential pitfalls? Or stories of good roofers, and why you trusted them? I’ve already had one set of people out to look at the roof, and there was just something really untrustworthy about them, which sounds horribly judgemental, I didn’t like the teeth sucking, and the vague grabbing of a figure of a few thousand from the air… Help!

OP posts:
BillieWiper · 01/09/2026 16:39

I've had a crap one who managed to break more tiles than he fixed. I've also had what I hope was an ok one replacing the whole roof which was a bit nerve wracking.
Try and get a recommendation from someone who's got the same kind of roof as you.

And I wouldn't go for a one man band who wants full payment up front. That's too much of a risk.

Check their presence and reviews online. Again I'd be wary of someone who has limited online footprint.

You want them to quote for the job, not an hourly rate. And get everything in writing, including a guarantee.

Get quotes from at least three. Anyone very pushy I'd be wary of. Decent builders are rarely free immediately so if they can do it straight away that could be a red flag.

pulpJarvis · 01/09/2026 16:38

Word of mouth, sorry, I think that's the only way. I've got two trusted roofers - and they are always really hard to get hold of as both very busy. You are right to be wary.

Hiredgun · 01/09/2026 16:36

BEAchDays2 · 01/09/2026 16:31

I need to hire a roofer because we have a Leake, and for some reason I actually feel really stressed about it. I think there is something about the fact that they go up on the roof and Check, and there seem to be so many different ways you can be scammed with Roofing! But you can’t sort of see what they can see… Does anybody have any horror stories, which led you to understand potential pitfalls? Or stories of good roofers, and why you trusted them? I’ve already had one set of people out to look at the roof, and there was just something really untrustworthy about them, which sounds horribly judgemental, I didn’t like the teeth sucking, and the vague grabbing of a figure of a few thousand from the air… Help!

Roofers, like a lot of tradies, don’t like wee jobs like fixing leaks. But they shouldn’t charge you more than a few hundred quid max unless it’s multiple leaks and/or substantial damage.

Maybe try and get a few quotes or ask your neighbours for recommendations. Failing that, try online for recommendations.

Good luck.

TomahawkSteak · 01/09/2026 16:35

Can you ask on a local FB/Nextdoor group or similar for recs.

TemperanceWest · 01/09/2026 16:34

Word of mouth is the only way to find a good roofer IMHO.

Original poster
BEAchDays2 · 01/09/2026 16:32

Frustratingly, I can’t seem to get back to the start of that post…obviously I mean Leak…

OP posts: