How to Find a Good Roofer in Edinburgh

Hiring the wrong roofer is one of the most expensive mistakes an Edinburgh homeowner can make. Botched repairs, disappearing contractors, and inflated quotes are more common than most people realise. If you are wondering how to find a good roofer in the UK, you are not alone. According to the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), poor workmanship accounts for a significant proportion of roofing complaints across the UK each year.

The good news: a few straightforward checks before you commit will separate a trustworthy roofer from one who will cause problems. This checklist covers what to look for in a roofer, what questions to ask, and the warning signs that should send you elsewhere.

1. Check for Trade Body Membership

Trade body membership is the quickest way to verify a roofer’s credentials. In the UK, the NFRC is the main industry body for roofing contractors. Members are independently vetted for technical competence, insurance cover, health and safety compliance, and financial stability.

Other credible accreditations include TrustMark (a government-endorsed quality scheme), the Confederation of Roofing Contractors (CORC), and the NFRC Competent Person Scheme (a self-certification scheme for building regulations compliance in England and Wales).

Edinburgh-specific note: if your property is in a conservation area, check that your roofer understands local planning requirements. Edinburgh has more listed buildings and conservation areas than most UK cities, and not every roofer knows how to work within those restrictions.

2. Verify Insurance Cover

Any roofer working on your property should carry public liability insurance. Most homeowners should look for a minimum of two million pounds of cover. This protects you if the roofer damages your property, a neighbouring property, or injures a third party during the work. Public liability insurance is not legally required, but any reputable roofer will carry it as standard.

Ask to see a valid certificate, not just a verbal assurance. A legitimate contractor will have no problem showing you their documentation. If they hesitate, treat that as a red flag.

For larger projects like a full roof replacement or chimney rebuild, check whether the roofer employs staff. Employers’ liability insurance is legally required for businesses with employees and must provide at least five million pounds of cover.

3. Get at Least Three Written Quotes

Always get a minimum of three written quotes before committing. Each quote should clearly itemise:

• The scope of work (what exactly will be done)
• Materials to be used (slate type, membrane brand, etc.)
• Start and completion dates
• What happens if additional work is discovered once the roof is opened up
• Payment terms

A verbal quote is not enough. Written quotes protect both sides and give you something to compare like for like.

Watch for extremes: if one quote is 30% or more below the others, question why. The roofer may be planning to use cheaper materials, skip preparation steps, or is simply underquoting to win the job before adding extras later. Equally, the most expensive quote is not always the best.

4. Read Online Reviews Properly

Google reviews, Checkatrade, and Trustpilot all give useful signals, but you need to read them properly rather than just glancing at a star rating.

What to look for in reviews:

• Specific details about the work completed (not just “great job”)
• Comments about communication, timekeeping, and cleanup
• How the roofer handled unexpected problems
• Whether the reviewer would hire them again
• The roofer’s response to any negative reviews

A handful of detailed, recent reviews from verified customers is worth more than hundreds of generic five-star ratings. Look at the last 12 months of feedback specifically, as standards can change.

5. Ask About Experience With Your Roof Type

Edinburgh’s housing stock is diverse. Victorian tenements with natural Scottish slate need a very different skill set to a flat-roofed garage extension on a 1970s bungalow.

Before hiring, ask whether the roofer has direct experience with your specific roof type:

• Slate roofs require a roofer who can source matching slate and understands traditional fixing methods
• Flat roofs need a specialist in EPDM or GRP systems, not someone who primarily works on pitched roofs
• Chimney work involves lead flashing, repointing, and sometimes structural assessment. Not every general roofer handles chimney repairs competently
• Guttering and roofline work requires someone who understands drainage and can match existing materials on older properties
• Listed or conservation buildings require materials and methods that match the original construction

Ask for examples of similar work they have completed. A good roofer will be happy to show you.

6. Ask for References and Examples of Past Work

Beyond online reviews, ask for direct references from recent customers with similar work. A roofer with nothing to hide will provide contact details or point you to a portfolio of completed projects.

Look for:

• Before-and-after photographs
• Work completed on properties similar to yours
• Projects in your local area (Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, or the Scottish Borders)
• Evidence of the same team completing the work (not subcontracted out without disclosure)

If a roofer cannot show you any evidence of past work, question why.

7. Confirm Warranty and Aftercare

A reliable roofer should offer clear warranty cover. There are two types to ask about:

• Workmanship warranty covers the installation itself. A minimum of 5 years is standard for most roof repairs. Full roof replacements should carry 10 years or more.
• Material warranty comes from the manufacturer and covers defects in the roofing products. EPDM membranes typically carry 20-year warranties. Natural slate can carry up to 75 years.

Get the warranty in writing. Ask what the process is if something goes wrong after the job is finished. Will they come back promptly to resolve it, or will you struggle to get hold of them?

8. Agree Payment Terms Before Work Starts

How a roofer handles payment tells you a lot about how they run their business. Standard practice for most roofing work follows this structure:

• Deposit: up to 25% on agreement, to cover material ordering
• Stage payments: for larger jobs, payments at agreed milestones (e.g., strip and batten complete, slating complete)
• Final payment: the balance on completion, after you have inspected the finished work

Never pay the full amount upfront. No legitimate roofing contractor will ask for this. If someone demands full payment before starting, walk away.

Cash-only requests with no receipt or invoice are another warning sign. A proper business will provide a clear invoice and accept multiple payment methods.

9. Watch for These Red Flags

Some warning signs are obvious. Others are easy to miss when you are dealing with an urgent roof leak or storm damage and want the problem fixed quickly.

Walk away if:

• They knock on your door unsolicited claiming to have spotted damage from the street
• They pressure you into an immediate decision with “today only” discounts (our guide on signs your roof needs repair can help you assess urgency yourself)
• They have no business address, landline, or verifiable online presence
• They cannot provide proof of insurance or trade body membership
• They want to start work before giving you a written quote
• They claim not to be VAT registered despite running what appears to be an established business
• They suggest using leftover materials from a “job down the road”

Citizens Advice has detailed guidance on your consumer rights when hiring tradespeople, including your right to cancel within 14 days for contracts agreed at your home.

How to Find a Good Roofer: Questions to Ask Before Hiring

Keep this list handy when speaking to potential roofers. Their answers will tell you everything you need to know.

1. Are you a member of the NFRC or another recognised trade body?
2. Can I see your public liability insurance certificate?
3. Will you provide a detailed written quote before starting work?
4. How long have you been working on roofs like mine?
5. Can you show me examples of similar work you have completed?
6. What materials will you use, and why?
7. What is your estimated timeline for completion?
8. What warranty do you offer on workmanship?
9. What are your payment terms?
10. Do you hold a waste carrier licence for removing old roofing materials?

A good roofer will answer all ten without hesitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many quotes should I get for roofing work?

Three written quotes is the minimum for any substantial roofing job. This gives you enough to compare scope, materials, and approach. Avoid choosing purely on the cheapest option. Compare what is included in each quote and ask questions about any significant price differences between them.

Should I use a local roofer or a national company?

A local roofer with an established presence in your area is usually the better choice. They know the local housing stock, understand regional planning requirements, and rely on local reputation for repeat business. National companies often subcontract the work to local teams anyway.

What qualifications should a roofer have in the UK?

There is no single mandatory licence for roofers in the UK, which is why checking trade body membership matters. NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Roofing and NFRC members have all demonstrated verified competence. Scottish building warrants may apply for structural work.

How do I check if a roofer is legitimate?

Verify their trade body membership on the NFRC website, check Companies House for their business details (where applicable, as sole traders will not appear), read their Google reviews, and ask to see their insurance certificate. If they pass these checks, you can hire with considerably more confidence.

What should I do if roofing work goes wrong?

Contact the roofer in writing first and give them a reasonable opportunity to fix the problem under warranty. If they refuse or disappear, contact Citizens Advice, your local Trading Standards office, or the trade body they claimed membership of. Document everything with photographs and keep copies of your contract and invoices.

Choose Carefully and Your Roof Will Thank You

Finding a good roofer in Edinburgh does not need to be difficult. Follow the checklist above, ask the right questions, and trust your instincts when something feels off. The right contractor will welcome your due diligence rather than resisting it.

If you would like to put this checklist to the test, First Choice Roof Repairs is a family-run company serving Edinburgh, the Lothians, and the Scottish Borders. We are happy to answer any of the questions above openly. Browse our completed projects or get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.

You can also call us directly on 07473 431365.