A new roof is one of the bigger bills a homeowner faces, and most people only buy one once. They worry about cowboys, they want to understand the paperwork, and they compare two or three quotes. A roofing website that answers those worries before the phone rings wins more of those quotes. Here are eight things homeowners check.
What homeowners check before they call a roofer
1. Whether you can sign off the work
Replacing the covering on a pitched or flat roof is work you need to tell building control about, unless a registered installer does it. GOV.UK lists CompetentRoofer and NAPIT as the competent person schemes for this work (GOV.UK guidance). If you are a member, say so clearly. It saves the homeowner a building notice and a fee.
2. The certificate they will get
GOV.UK says a registered installer should notify the local authority and give the homeowner a certificate of compliance, and that people should contact the scheme operator if it has not arrived within 30 days. It also says buyers may ask for these certificates when the house is sold (GOV.UK). Explain this on your site. It shows you know the process.
3. Photos of real jobs, with the area named
Before and after photos of your own work, with the town and the type of job, such as "Slate re-roof, Harrogate" or "Flat roof replacement, Leeds". Real local jobs beat stock photos every time.
4. A written guarantee
Say what your guarantee covers and for how long, and that it comes in writing. If you offer an insurance-backed guarantee, explain who provides it. Homeowners remember the horror stories, so this matters more than almost anything else.
5. Their cancellation rights
If you agree a contract in someone's home, it is usually an off-premises contract. Trading standards guidance says the customer has 14 days to cancel a service contract and must be given the cancellation information and a cancellation form before the contract is made, and failing to do so is a criminal offence (trading standards guidance). Mention it on your site and do it every time. Honest firms look more honest for it.
6. How you quote
Explain the process: a visit, photos of what you found, a written quote with what is included, and how long it is valid. A clear process separates you from the door-knockers people worry about.
7. Emergency repairs, if you do them
Storm damage and leaks are urgent. If you offer emergency repairs, put a tappable phone number and your response area at the top of the page, so someone with water coming through the ceiling can call in one tap.
8. Reviews from local people
Recent Google reviews that mention the job and the town are the strongest proof you can show. Ask every happy customer, and make it easy with a direct link to your review page.
See these ideas working
Our roofing demo shows a photo quote request, a storm before-and-after slider and clear repair options. Open the roofer demo.
Where to start this week
- Add your competent person scheme and what certificate customers receive.
- Put up five recent jobs with photos and the town.
- Write a short "How we quote" section.
- Check your contract paperwork includes the cancellation information and form.
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