4 Things to Avoid When You Need Roofing Work Done

If you’re a homeowner, it’s likely that you’ll need roofing work done at some point. This could be anything from repairing a small area to installing a whole new roof.

As part of your home, your roof is a big investment. It’s important that you look after it so your property stays in good condition and you don’t lose money.

To help you take care of your roof and stop yourself from making common mistakes, we’ve come up with 4 things to avoid when you need roofing work done.

1. Inexperienced DIY

DIY is often a great plan. Doing all or part of a job yourself can save you money and mean that the work is done the way you want it.

However, when it comes to roofing, DIY is not usually a good idea. Removing, laying or repairing a roof can be tricky and dangerous work. If you don’t know what you’re doing you run the risk of damaging your roof and hurting yourself.

If you do DIY roofing work you also run the risk of falling foul of building regulations. There are several different types of work that need building regulations approval. If you do the work yourself, you’ll need to be aware of this and possibly spend time and money applying for approval. On the other hand, if you hire a roofer who’s registered with a competent persons scheme, they’ll take care of all of this for you.

2. Buying your own materials

Shopping around for the best deal when you’re looking for contractors can be a great idea, but not when you need roofing materials. A roofer will know exactly what materials they need and may have access to competitive pricing if they have established relationships with regular suppliers. They also will probably be able to give you a combined workmanship and material warranty for your roof.

If you ignore this and buy your own materials, you run the risk of paying more. You may buy the wrong or too many materials. You might also lose out on the most competitive pricing, even if you have access to trade prices, and may not benefit from a warranty.

good roofer slate
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3. Installing unsuitable products

Not all products are suitable for all roofs. Rain diverters, for example, can force water under shingles and damage them. Flush mounted skylights are also sometimes unsuitable as they can leak in heavy rain. If you’re worried about whether a certain product will be suitable for your roof, get advice from an experienced contractor.

4. Hiring a dodgy contractor

This may sound a bit obvious but it’s surprising how many people do it. Do your research and find a reliable roofer whose work you can trust. Talk to friends, family and colleagues and find out if they can recommend anyone. You should also see if you can find any online reviews of their company and work.

Don’t be tempted to go straight for the cheapest roofer without first checking that they’re reliable. Using a trustworthy and high-quality contractor should mean that you’re left with a new roof that you’re completely happy with.

If you’re keen to hire a trustworthy roofer but are struggling to find one, we can help. Fill in our online form and we’ll connect you with up to 4 professionals in your local area. You can get free quotes, check out their online reviews and decide for yourself who you want to hire.

Evy Coe

Evy works for Quotatis as a Content Marketing Executive. She loves to write about interior design and help homeowners with their DIY projects.