It can be a challenging experience to need a new roof in London. Neighbours will be unhappy about the workers arriving at daybreak and working for weeks. The changeable London weather can also pose a problem, as well as the danger of ending up with a “cowboy builder”, who will take your money and then disappear. However, you shouldn’t lose hope; there are many excellent roofing contractors in London if you know how to look for them.

Good Contractors Do Exist

A good place to start in your search for a quality roofing contractor is the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), based in Weymouth Street. The NFRC also works closely with International Roofing Contractors. Roofing contractors in London and elsewhere have to abide by a Code of Practice and pay membership dues in order to stay a member. You can ask the NFRC to recommend a contractor to you, and any complaints about a member can be brought to them.

The saying “one rotten apple spoils the barrel” is particularly true when it comes to London roofers. Contractors want to stay in business, and so they will try to follow maintain high standards. It is far more expensive to run a counterfeit business than it is to be a legitimate company. It is to the contractors benefit to provide high quality service, avoiding the hassles of angry customers, industry watchdogs, and the police. There are “cowboy builders” around, but they are far less common than rumours make them out to be.

What Questions Should You Ask A Contractor?

The easiest way to sort the good contractors from the bad is to ask questions. As a paying customer, you have a right to know who you are paying, so don’t hesitate. Ask how much the job will cost, payment methods, how long they have been operating, how soon work can begin, what materials they use and why, and how they can be contacted. Make sure you get all this information in writing for future reference. If the contractor cannot provide with the information you ask for, if they try to pressure you, or if they treat you disrespectfully, pick another contractor. Such behaviour is a good indicator of a “cowboy builder”.

You can also ask around locally to see if anyone can recommend a good contractor to you. For example, your bank may have a list of approved contractors and may be more willing to give you a loan if you use one of them.

Remember, despite the rumours, high quality roofers do exist in London.