Roofer asking for 70-75% deposit dodgy?

[heartbroken22]

I wasn't expecting such a large amount upfront? They have no reviews online and their page on google says temporary closed. What would you do? Cancel and find someone else?

My neighbours used a dodgy roofer to repair a leak. It cost them a whole new roof (from a proper roofer)

I wouldn't. Could you offer to order the materials yourself instead of giving them the money to order them?

Absolutely not. We very naively did this and it was a scam.

We had scaffolding up for a year and a hole in our roof. £10k down. It was unbelievably stressful.

@heartbroken22 where did you find this roofer? Did they just knock on the door? Most people research contractors before instructing them.

As a minimum, I would look them up on Companies House to see if they are a legitimate, solvent, well established business. You should be able to see who their directors are and read their official accounts.

And do not trust what the website says. The neighbours roofer claimed they were members of check a trade and the confederation of roofing contractors. They were neither.

If you are feeling especially curious reverse search the images on their website - you may find they relate to different companies altogether.

I had a vested interest in this as I am a terrace and due to the neighbours issue my own roof was also badly damaged as was inside my house where the water leaked in.

I went mental!