Your roof is an integral part of your building’s structure, and it is vital that you keep it in top condition.
Failing to deal with a damaged roof can quickly lead to major problems including mould, rot, and other dampness related issues.
This will not only make it a lot more expensive when you do come to deal with the problems but in the mean time can lead to the destruction of possessions, affect the performance of your insulation, and put your loved ones at risk.
For this reason, it is critical that you have a roofer inspect your roof on a regular basis, perform routine maintenance services, and carry out any repairs that may be required.
Even if you are a keen DIYer your roof is the one area of your home that should always be left to the professionals due to the risk to safety that comes with working at height and the severe consequences of failing to fully resolve any issues.
But how exactly do you go about finding the right roof repair company for the job? Well, following the tips below is a great start, as we looking at some of the most important questions to ask when searching for a roofer to carry out repairs on your property.
What previous work have they done?
For most people, the starting point for finding a good roofer in their area will be to ask their friends and neighbours in the area for any recommendations.
This will give you a good idea of what a company or individual will be like to work with when carrying out roof repairs on your behalf. You will be able to ask for details on things such as how prompt their services were, what the payment process is like, and whether there have been any issues with the work since.
If you have recently moved to the area and don’t know anyone personally who has used a roofer recently, online reviews are a good place to start, but choose an independent review site rather than looking at the handpicked testimonials on the roof repair company’s website for a more accurate idea of what working with them will be like.
You could also try asking on the local Facebook page for recommendations for roof repair companies nearby, if you get many recommendations for a single roofer, the chances are that they are a good option.
What qualifications do they have?
The only sure-fire way to check that a roofer has the skills needed to carry out repair work on your roof is to look at the qualifications that they have.
Any roofer that you use should be BBA certified and a registered member of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). The NFRC is the UK’s biggest roofing trade association and roofers must go through an extensive vetting process in order to become a member. As part of this process a roofer must demonstrate extremely high standards of workmanship.
When first starting your search for a roofer to carry out roof repairs Glasgow, there is no place better than the NFRC website, a catalogue of quality tradespeople in your area.
When approaching a roofer for a quote, you might also wish to ask them if they have any additional qualifications or certifications. If they do, this is a sign that they are committed to excellence and could help you decide between two similar quotes from separate roof repair experts.
What is your roof repair plan?
Before you go ahead and book in repair work with a local roofer, make sure that you have had a discussion with them about exactly what their plan is to resolve your issues.
A skilled and confident roofer should be able to explain exactly what they intend to do on your property and be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have about the process.
One of the most important things to ascertain at this stage is how long they think the roof repair job will take to complete. You should be very wary of any roofer who doesn’t give you a timeframe for roof repair work.
A contractor should be able to give examples of previous work that they have done when estimating how long they believe your job will take. Delays can happen, but the contractor should be open and honest about them if they do and be clear from the outset about any additional fees that will be charged if more repair work is needed that first thought or the work takes longer than initially expected.