Most homeowners only need a roofer a handful of times in their lives, so it's hard to know what good looks like. Unfortunately the trade has its share of cold-callers and cowboys, and a bad roofing job can cost far more to put right than it did to do. These twelve checks will help you pick a roofer in Surrey with confidence, whatever the size of the job.

1. Are They Genuinely Local?

A roofer with a real local address and a track record in your area has a reputation to protect, and can get back to you quickly if anything needs attention. Check their address on Google Maps and look for jobs they've done nearby. Be wary of anyone who knocks on your door saying they "happened to be in the area" and spotted a problem with your roof.

2. Can You Check Their Reviews?

Look for a good number of reviews on Google, ideally mentioning the type of work and the town. A long run of genuine, detailed reviews is hard to fake. Read the low-rated ones too: how the company responds to a complaint tells you a lot.

3. Do They Have Proper Insurance?

Ask for proof of public liability insurance, and check the level of cover. If a ladder goes through a conservatory or a tile falls onto a neighbour's car, you want that to be the roofer's insurer's problem, not yours. Reputable roofers will happily send a copy of their certificate.

4. Will They Put the Quote in Writing?

A proper quote should be written and itemised: what work will be done, what materials will be used, whether scaffolding is included, how waste will be removed and how long the job will take. Vague quotes such as "roof repairs, £2,000" leave room for disagreements and surprise extras.

5. Do They Ask for a Large Deposit?

Be very cautious about anyone who wants a large sum upfront, particularly in cash. Some reputable firms do ask for a deposit on large jobs to secure materials, but it should be modest and clearly explained. We don't take a deposit on any job.

6. Do They Show You the Problem?

A trustworthy roofer will show you photos or video of what they've found, explain it in plain English and tell you what happens if you leave it. If someone insists you need urgent, expensive work but can't show you why, get a second opinion.

7. Are They Recommending the Right Fix?

Sometimes a repair is the right answer; sometimes a full re-roof is better value. A good roofer will explain both options honestly. Our guide on repairing or replacing a roof explains how to tell the difference.

8. What Guarantee Do You Get?

Ask what guarantee covers the work, how long it lasts and what it covers. For new roofs, an insurance-backed guarantee is best, because it still protects you if the company stops trading. Make sure you get it in writing at the end of the job.

9. Do They Understand Planning and Building Regulations?

Re-roofing in a conservation area, on a listed building or with different materials can need permission, and replacing a large part of a roof can trigger building regulations requirements for insulation. Your roofer should know this and tell you before work starts. Our planning permission guide covers the basics.

10. Will They Use Scaffolding Where Needed?

Working at height safely matters, for the roofer and for you. For anything more than a quick repair, proper scaffolding or edge protection is normally needed. A suspiciously cheap quote sometimes means corners are being cut on safety.

11. How Do They Communicate?

Do they answer the phone, turn up when they say they will and reply to messages? The way a company handles the quoting stage is a good preview of how it will handle the job itself.

12. Do They Leave the Site Tidy?

Ask how waste, old tiles and debris will be dealt with, and whether they protect gardens, paths and driveways. Reviews often mention this, and it's a good sign of a firm that takes pride in its work.

Red Flags to Walk Away From

  • Cold calling at the door, especially after a storm
  • Pressure to decide today, or a "special price" that expires
  • Cash-only payment or no written paperwork
  • No landline, no address and no online presence
  • Refusing to show photos of the problem

Get a Free, Honest Quote

My Local Roofer is based in West Molesey and works across Elmbridge, Kingston and Richmond, Spelthorne and the rest of Surrey. We give free written quotes, take no deposit, and show you photos of everything we find. You can read what our customers say on our reviews page. Call 07470 744247 or message us on WhatsApp.