How to avoid rogue flat roofers

We’ve all heard the horror stories. Builders that leave customers with a house that is either unfinished, badly built or downright dangerous; workmen that treat your home with no respect; tradespeople who overcharge but under-deliver.

This is bad enough when you’re trying to repair or renovate less expensive parts of your property, but when you’re parting with thousands of hard-earned pounds, it is essential that you choose a tradesperson that offers the quality, reliability and value for money you both need and deserve.

Just a quick online search will reveal various reports of cowboy roofers and their crimes. For example, in January eight roofers were sentenced to a total of almost 18 years after being found guilty of a series of cons that resulted in elderly and vulnerable homeowners across the North-East losing tens of thousands of pounds.

Elsewhere, Harrow Council has has to warn residents of a door-to-door scam being carried out by rogue roofers, whilst a Nottinghamshire couple in their 60s and 70s were conned out of over £40,000 for repairs that should have cost only between £800 to £1100.

A recent survey conducted by Chandlers Roofing Supplies found that 72% of the roofers questioned believe that ‘’weeding out’ rogue roofers is the most pressing issue for those working in the roofing trade.’

These roofers have been asked by customers to rectify poor quality work by another roofer at least once in the past year.

Chandler Roofing Supplies’ Sue McKinney commented that: “ It’s not surprising that customers are somewhat unappreciative when subjected to the services of rogue roofers. Nevertheless, it needs to be highlighted that the vast majority of roofers work exceptionally hard and to a very high standard completing excellent projects for customers.”

As flat roofing specialists, we are incredibly disappointed when we hear that others in our industry have either let customers down. Sadly, whatever field you work in, there will always be people who want to make a ‘quick buck’, no matter what the cost.

So here are our top answers to the question: ‘How to avoid rogue flat roofers’:

There are a few ways you can spot and avoid cowboy tradespeople. These include:

Uninvited visitors:

Rogue roofers will often turn up unannounced and offer to carry out work there and then. We strongly advise against agreeing to any on-the-spot work as if you verbally agree to a price, you have no legal document in place in case they suddenly announce that you owe them more. You also won’t be able to contact other flat roofers to gauge whether their price is competitive.

Plus if a flat roofer carries out work on that same day they knock on your door, the chances are you won’t be able to get in touch with them if anything goes wrong. It’s much too easy to print a few cheap business cards or leaflets; you need to do a bit of research to ensure they are part of a legitimate business that comes recommended before agreeing to anything

Scaring you into making a snap decision:

They use various methods of coercion, ranging from gentle persuasion through to downright intimidation and will often scare you into believing that repairs need to be done immediately. The reality is that your flat roof may only need very minor repairs. Even if it does need more major work, you will still have time to get quotes from highly rated companies.

Elderly or vulnerable:

It’s a sad fact that rogue traders tend to target the most vulnerable members of society. If you have an elderly friend or relative who lives alone, we suggest that you check on them regularly to make sure that no-one has been trying to talk them into unnecessary repairs.

So how to avoid rogue flat roofers? Firstly, do not get caught up in a panic. Irrespective of what you are told, you do not have to make a decision on the spot. You have time, no matter how damaged your flat roof may be, to shop around. Get at least three quotations from reputable flat roofing companies, get everything in writing and never agree to a roofer who says the work needs to be done that day.