Hiring a roofer in Ipswich without doing basic checks is a significant financial risk. The roofing trade is one of the sectors most targeted by rogue traders — cold callers who spot a loose tile from the street, knock on the door, and quote a price for work that either doesn't need doing, is done badly, or isn't done at all after a deposit is paid. This checklist gives you the specific things to verify before anyone starts work on your roof.
✓ Check NFRC registration. The National Federation of Roofing Contractors maintains a public register. NFRC membership means the contractor has passed a technical assessment, has appropriate insurance, and has committed to a code of conduct. We are NFRC registered — you can verify this on the NFRC website.
✓ Ask for public liability insurance certificate. Minimum £2m, preferably £5m. Ask for the actual certificate, not a verbal assurance. Check the policy is current. A roofer working on your property without liability insurance leaves you exposed if something goes wrong.
✓ Get a written, itemised quote. Not a verbal price, not a text message. A written document that specifies the exact work to be done, the materials to be used, whether scaffold is included, the guarantee terms, and the payment schedule.
✓ Check company registration. Look them up on Companies House or check their registered address. A legitimate roofing business has a verifiable presence. If you cannot find a registered address or the only contact is a mobile number, be cautious.
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors requires members to hold appropriate public liability insurance and to undergo technical vetting before admission to the register.NFRC membership standards
Cold calling after a storm. Legitimate roofers don't knock on doors after bad weather to tell you they've spotted damage. Rogue traders do. If someone knocks on your door and says they can see a problem with your roof, get them off your property and book a survey with a contractor you have chosen.
Pressure to decide today. "We're in the area this afternoon" or "this price is only available today" are classic high-pressure sales tactics. A legitimate roofer gives you time to consider.
Large deposits before work starts. A reasonable deposit on a large re-roofing project is 10–20% to cover material costs. Requests for 50%+ upfront, or requests for cash only, are warning signs.
No guarantee offered. Any legitimate roofing contractor should offer a written workmanship guarantee. No guarantee means no accountability for defects.
Can I have a written, itemised quote? What does your workmanship guarantee cover and for how long? Is scaffold included in this price? Are you NFRC registered? Can I see your public liability insurance certificate? Do you have references from recent work in Ipswich?
Verify NFRC registration on the NFRC website. Ask for their public liability insurance certificate. Check their company registration address. A legitimate roofer provides all of these without hesitation.
Don't let them on your roof and don't pay anything. Tell them you'll get your own surveys arranged. If they become persistent, ask them to leave. Cold calling after storms is a common rogue trader tactic in Ipswich and across Suffolk.
Yes — NFRC membership means the contractor has passed a technical assessment, has appropriate insurance, and has committed to a professional code of conduct. It's the clearest quality signal available in the roofing trade.
10–20% on large re-roofing jobs is reasonable to cover materials. Never pay more than 30% upfront, never pay the full amount before work is complete, and never pay cash without a receipt and written quote.
10 years for significant work — re-roofing, flat roofing, major repairs. The guarantee should be in writing, specify what it covers (labour, materials, or both), and ideally be transferable to a future buyer of the property.
Google Reviews are relatively reliable — fake reviews are harder to generate at scale. Look for reviews that mention specific job types and Ipswich locations, not generic praise. A pattern of reviews with no specific detail is worth noticing.
Ridge mortar that has been pointed with hard cement (grey lines, not lime colour), lead flashing with sealant patches over it, tiles that don't align to the original course, ridge tiles that can be rocked after recent repointing, or any change to the appearance of the roof that wasn't discussed in the quote.
Whatever your roofing question, we're happy to help. Call us for a free survey and honest assessment.
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