A proper Warwickshire roofing quote is written and itemised, naming the specific tile, underlay, fixing method, scaffold provision and guarantee. Verbal quotes and one-line totals are not comparable and invite disputes. Always get three written quotes for major work, and check the specifications match before comparing on price alone.
Most homeowners accept or reject roofing quotes on price alone, without knowing whether the quotes they are comparing are for equivalent work. A £6,000 quote for concrete tiles and non-breathable felt is not comparable to a £7,500 quote for clay tiles and breathable underlay. This guide explains what a complete, honest quote looks like and the questions to ask if it is missing anything.
What Every Roofing Quote Must Include
A fully specified roofing quote — the only kind that allows meaningful comparison — contains all of the following:
- Specific material name: not "new tiles to match" but "Marley Modern Clay concrete interlocking" or "Wienerberger Purus clay interlocking." The specific product matters — you cannot compare two quotes without knowing what you are comparing.
- Underlay specification: "breathable TP200 HR underlay" versus "non-breathable BS 747 felt." This affects long-term roof performance significantly and the cost difference is £150 to £300 — meaningful in the context of a full quote comparison.
- Batten specification: "new 25x50mm tanalised timber battens" should be explicit. An assumed batten replacement that appears as a surprise addition after work starts is a common source of post-completion disputes.
- Fixing specification: "stainless steel A2 nails throughout." Galvanised nails corrode in 25 to 40 years, producing the nail sickness problem that drives most Stratford estate re-roofing. Stainless fixings throughout is the correct specification — the cost premium over galvanised is minimal on a full re-roof.
- Scaffold: "erection and strike of scaffold" should be a named line item in the total, not a potential addition.
- Waste disposal: "removal and legal disposal of all stripped material." Waste left on site or fly-tipped by a contractor creates legal liability for the homeowner.
- Guarantee: "10-year written workmanship guarantee provided on completion." This should be stated, not implied.
NFRC recommends homeowners obtain written, itemised quotations specifying materials and fixing method, and warns that verbal or single-figure quotes prevent meaningful comparison.
— NFRC — advice for homeowners
Comparing Competing Quotes: The Correct Method
Once you have two or three quotes, compare them in this order:
- Specification equivalence first: Are they quoting the same material? Same underlay? Same fixing type? If not, adjust for the known cost differences before comparing the total price.
- Scope completeness: Does each quote include scaffold, disposal, and guarantee? Add any missing elements at their market cost before comparing totals.
- Price last: Once you are comparing equivalent scopes, the price difference is meaningful. A 15% price difference on an equivalent specification warrants a direct question. A 40% difference warrants serious investigation before acceptance.
Red Flags That Should Prompt You to Decline
- Quote given verbally with nothing in writing
- No specific material product named
- Scaffold not included (acceptable for minor repairs; never for a re-roof)
- Cash-only payment requested for a significant job
- Pressure to accept immediately ("price only holds today")
- No mention of a workmanship guarantee
- Large upfront deposit demanded (over 30% before work commences)
- Roofer cannot provide evidence of public liability insurance
The Three Questions to Ask Before Signing
"What happens if you find rot at strip stage?" The correct answer: "We photograph it, call you before proceeding, and provide a separate quoted cost for your approval." Any other answer is a red flag.
"Is the price fixed?" The correct answer: "Yes, subject only to structural discoveries documented at strip stage." Legitimate roofers quote fixed prices because they have inspected the property adequately before quoting.
"Can I see your public liability insurance certificate?" The correct answer: the document, provided without hesitation. NFRC members carry minimum £2m public liability and can demonstrate this immediately.
Our Quoting Process
We survey the property first — including a loft inspection to assess felt and batten condition where accessible. We then provide a fully itemised written quote within 24 hours. The quote is fixed price. Any structural discoveries at strip stage are photographed, communicated to you with a clear description, and quoted for your approval before any additional work proceeds. Nothing appears on the final invoice that was not either in the original quote or separately approved in writing.
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