By Basingstoke Roofing Experts · Call 0125 624 2410
Before signing anything or paying a deposit, ask these ten questions. A reputable Basingstoke roofer will answer all of them confidently. Anyone who hesitates, deflects, or refuses is not the roofer for you.
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors requires members to demonstrate competence and carry adequate insurance. Registration is not a legal requirement, but it is the industry's strongest quality indicator.
Public liability insurance (minimum £2m) and employer's liability insurance should be current and verifiable. A photo of a certificate on a phone is not proof — ask for the insurer's name and policy number so you can verify independently if concerned.
A quote that says "new tiles" without specifying the manufacturer and product leaves room for cheap substitution. Insist on named materials — Marley Edgemere, Redland Grovebury, etc. — so you know exactly what you are getting and can compare quotes fairly.
A roofer working on a 1960s system-built property in South Ham needs different knowledge than one re-roofing a Victorian cottage in Old Basing. Ask specifically about your property type and neighbourhood — their answer reveals whether they genuinely know Basingstoke or are just advertising broadly.
Any roofer quoting a significant job without inspecting the loft space is guessing. Loft access reveals underlay condition, timber integrity, ventilation adequacy and signs of previous water damage. A roofer who skips this step cannot give you an accurate quote.
Scaffold is essential for safe roof work and typically costs £600–£1,500 for a semi-detached re-roof. Any quote that omits scaffold is either quoting unsafe working practices or hiding a significant additional cost.
A 10-year workmanship guarantee should be standard. Ensure it is in writing, specifies what is covered, and states whether it transfers to a new owner if you sell.
Responsible roofers include a contingency process: stop, document, discuss with you, and agree additional work and cost before proceeding. A roofer who says "we'll deal with it" without specifying how is setting you up for unexpected charges.
Two or three references from recent jobs in your neighbourhood — not just generic reviews from anywhere in Hampshire. Follow them up.
No more than 10–20% deposit before work starts. Progress payments by agreed milestones on larger jobs. Final balance on satisfactory completion. Full payment upfront is a red flag.
Roofing is one of the few trades where the customer usually cannot see the work being discussed. That asymmetry is why getting a second opinion on any significant quote is sensible — not because most roofers are dishonest, but because specifications genuinely vary and comparing them is the only way to know what you are buying.
When comparing quotes, look past the headline figure. Does each quote include scaffold? Are materials named by manufacturer or described vaguely as "quality tiles"? Is waste disposal included? Is there a written guarantee, and what does it actually cover? A quote that is £500 cheaper but omits scaffold and dry ridge is not cheaper at all.
Ask what happens if additional problems are found once work starts. A good answer describes a process: stop, photograph, discuss, agree cost, then continue. A vague answer suggests you may face unexpected charges. Ask what guarantee is provided and request it in writing. Ask whether the guarantee transfers if you sell — a transferable guarantee is a genuine selling point.
Finally, ask for references from recent local work. Any roofer confident in their standards will provide them readily, and following up two or three takes ten minutes that could save you thousands.
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors publishes technical guidance for homeowners covering material selection, standards compliance and choosing a contractor. Your local authority building control department can advise on when notification or approval is required. For conservation area and listed building work, the Basingstoke and Deane conservation officer is the definitive source on what materials will be acceptable.
For anything specific to your own roof, a professional inspection is worth more than any amount of general reading. Call 0125 624 2410 — advice costs nothing and there is no obligation to book work.
Call 0125 624 2410 for a free, no-obligation quote.
Can I see your insurance certificate? Everything else — quality, guarantee, materials — is secondary if the roofer is not properly insured. An accident on an uninsured job leaves you liable.
Yes — for any significant job. A roofer quoting a re-roof without checking the loft is guessing at timber condition, underlay state, and ventilation adequacy. Their quote will be inaccurate.
10–20% on large jobs. Nothing at all on small repairs — pay on completion. Any roofer demanding more than 25% upfront or full payment before starting is a significant risk.
Ask for the insurer's name and policy number. You can call the insurer to verify the policy is current. A genuine roofer will have no problem with this.
Move on. A reputable roofer is transparent about insurance, materials, guarantees, and payment terms. Reluctance to answer basic questions is a clear warning sign.
Three is standard. Compare them on specification (not just price), check that all include the same scope of work, and verify that scaffold, disposal, and guarantee are included in each.
Not always — but a quote significantly below the others is usually cutting corners on materials, scaffold, or specification. Ask what is included and compare line by line.
No call-out fees. No obligation. Just an honest quote from a local Basingstoke roofer who'll turn up when they say they will.
0125 624 2410