Roofing sits in an unfortunate position where the work is difficult to inspect during or after completion, prices vary enormously, and the consequences of a poor job can take months or even years to fully materialise. This combination makes roofing one of the sectors most frequently cited in consumer complaints about home improvement trades.
Whether you are planning a full roof replacement, a flat roof renewal, or simply some repair work, the eight checks below will help you find a trustworthy roofer and avoid the pitfalls that catch out many Staffordshire homeowners every year.
1. Public Liability Insurance — and See the Certificate
Any roofer working on your property should hold public liability insurance with a minimum of £1 million cover — £2 million for larger jobs. This protects you if the roofer damages your property, causes a flood, or injures a third party during the work. Do not accept “yes, we are insured” as an answer. Ask to see the actual certificate before any work starts. A legitimate, well-run roofing company will have no hesitation sharing this. At Aether Roofing Solutions we carry £2 million public liability insurance and are happy to provide documentation on request.
2. A Written, Fixed-Price Quote
Never agree to roofing work without a written, fixed-price quote that spells out exactly what is included — the materials, the scope of work, any exclusions, and the total price. Verbal estimates and “approximate” quotes leave you with no protection if the final invoice is higher. A written quote gives you a clear contract: the job is completed for the quoted price, full stop. Be particularly cautious of quotes that list items as “extra if required” without specifying conditions — this is how costs escalate.
3. Own Team — Not Subcontractors
Ask directly: “Will your own team carry out this work, or do you use subcontractors?” Many roofing companies are essentially lead-generation businesses that subcontract the actual work to self-employed trades. This is not necessarily a problem in itself, but it does reduce the company’s direct control over quality, and it means the person who surveys your roof and sells you the job may not be the same person who carries it out. A company that employs its own roofers can be held fully accountable for the quality of the work from start to finish.
4. A Guarantee in Writing
For a full roof replacement or a new flat roof, you should expect a written workmanship guarantee of at least 10 years. For repair work, 1 to 5 years is reasonable depending on the nature of the job. The key word is “written” — a verbal assurance that the work is guaranteed means nothing if the company cannot be held to it. Ask specifically what the guarantee covers, whether it is backed by the company or a third-party insurance scheme, and what the process is if something goes wrong.
5. Local Reputation and Genuine Reviews
Look for a roofer with a genuine local presence and a track record of verified reviews on Google or Checkatrade. A solid, established roofing company will have a history of reviews across multiple years, not just a cluster of recent five-star ratings. Check whether the reviewer names look plausible and whether the reviews contain specific detail about the job. Ask the company if they can provide references from previous customers in the Staffordshire area, or point you to nearby completed jobs.
6. No Large Upfront Cash Payment
A reputable roofer will not ask for a large cash deposit before any work begins, and will never ask for full payment before the job is complete. A small materials deposit for a large or complex job can be reasonable, but anything more than 10–20% upfront should prompt questions. Requests for cash payment only, especially combined with pressure to decide immediately, are a significant red flag. Pay by bank transfer or card so that you have a clear record.
7. VAT Registration for Larger Jobs
If a roofing company is turning over more than the VAT threshold (currently £90,000 in the UK) and is not VAT registered, that is a red flag — it suggests they are operating partially off the books. For larger jobs, asking whether the company is VAT registered and requesting a proper VAT invoice gives you an additional layer of consumer protection. It also means the company has an established financial record that can be checked if a dispute arises.
8. A Free Survey Before Any Commitment
A roofer who provides an accurate, honest quote should be willing to carry out a proper survey of your roof before pricing the job. Any quote given without a physical inspection of the roof is guesswork at best. A free survey demonstrates confidence in the company’s ability to win the work on merit, and it protects you from surprises when the job starts. Aether Roofing Solutions provides free, no-obligation surveys across Staffordshire — we will always inspect before we quote.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Cold-calling or knocking unsolicited — “We were in the area and noticed your roof…” is a classic pressure tactic.
- Urgency pressure — “We can only do this price if you sign today” is designed to prevent you from getting other quotes.
- No fixed address — A company with only a mobile number and no verifiable address has little accountability.
- Vague or handwritten quotes — No specification of materials, no breakdown of costs, no company details.
- Claiming your roof is in danger of imminent collapse — without evidence, this is a scare tactic. Get a second opinion.
Questions to Ask a Roofer Before Hiring
- Can I see a copy of your public liability insurance certificate?
- Will your own employed team carry out the work?
- Can I have the quote in writing, as a fixed price?
- What guarantee do you offer, and is it in writing?
- Can you point me to any recent jobs near me?
- What exactly is included and excluded in this quote?
- How do you handle unexpected problems found during the work?
If a roofer is reluctant to answer any of these questions clearly, that tells you everything you need to know. A professional roofing company has nothing to hide and every reason to demonstrate their credentials.
Aether Roofing Solutions — Every Box Ticked
We tick every box on this list: own team, free survey, written fixed-price quote, 10-year guarantee, £2M public liability insurance, and a 5.0★ Google rating. Serving Stafford, Lichfield, Tamworth, Cannock and Burton-on-Trent.
No pressure, no hidden costs — just honest roofing done properly.
Book Your Free Survey Today
