How to Read a Roofing Quote: What Every Line Should Tell You

A roofing quote isn’t just a number. It’s a document that should tell you exactly what you’re getting, who’s doing it, what materials are being used, and what’s included in the price. If any of those things are missing or vague, that’s a problem that matters now, before work starts. Call 0129 670 6028.

What Every Roofing Quote Should Contain

The company's full details. Business name, registered address, VAT number, and contact information. Not just a mobile number. A company without a verifiable address is a company you can't easily pursue if the work is disputed.

A specific scope of work. Not "roof repairs" — this tells you nothing. It should say: "Replace 24 concrete interlocking tiles on north-facing slope with Marley Modern in Slate Grey; re-bed 3 loose ridge tiles with fresh mortar; re-seal lead back-gutter behind chimney stack." If the scope is vague, what's been agreed is vague.

Material specification. Manufacturer name and product reference for tiles or membrane. Felt specification (breathable or traditional — and if breathable, what weight). Batten size and treatment (tanalised timber is standard on quality re-roofs). Lead grade if flashings are involved. This matters: there is a significant quality and price difference between the cheapest available concrete tile and a quality product from Marley or Redland.

What's included in the price. Scaffold (erected, hired for how long, and struck)? Waste removal and disposal? VAT? These three items can add £1,000–£2,000 to a job that appears cheap on paper. Every reputable roofer includes them in the written quote. If they're not mentioned, ask specifically.

The guarantee. What's guaranteed, for how long, and in writing. A verbal guarantee is worth nothing if there's a dispute three years later. The written guarantee should specify: what it covers (workmanship, materials, or both), the duration, and the process for making a claim under it.

Payment terms. A deposit of 10–25% on account is normal for larger jobs. Full payment before work starts is not. Staged payments (deposit, interim on completion of scaffold, final on completion of work) are reasonable on larger projects. Cash-only payment with no receipt is a strong warning sign.

The Red Flags

A quote that's significantly cheaper than others without explaining why is the most common issue. The gap is almost always accounted for by: no scaffold (the work will be done dangerously, or the access cost will appear as an extra); no felt or batten replacement (shortening the job life significantly); exclusion of VAT; or cheaper materials without disclosing the specification. Get quotes itemised and compare line by line, not total by total.

A quote with a very short validity period ("this price is only valid today") is a pressure tactic. Legitimate contractors give 30 days minimum — they have full order books and are not desperate for your deposit today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

For larger jobs (re-roofs, significant repairs over £1,000) getting two or three quotes is sensible. For smaller repairs — replacing a handful of tiles, resealing a flashing — the cost of getting multiple people to survey and quote may not be worth the time. The more important check is always the contractor's credentials, not the number of quotes.

10–25% of the total job value is standard. This covers material ordering costs and gives the contractor reasonable security. More than 25% upfront is unusual and should make you ask why. Full payment before work starts should be refused.

It depends on the contractor's VAT status. Sole traders with turnover below the VAT threshold (£90,000 in 2024–25) are not required to register and a VAT-exclusive quote from them is legitimate. Larger companies are almost always VAT-registered and quoting without VAT is misleading. Ask directly: 'Is this price inclusive of VAT?' before signing anything.

You can ask — but negotiate on scope and specification rather than just on price. Asking a contractor to match a lower quote without understanding what the other quote excludes is how work gets cut. If you have two genuinely comparable quotes, it's reasonable to ask the preferred contractor if there's any flexibility. Most established local roofers have limited appetite for negotiation on price — they've priced the job accurately already.

How to Read a Roofing Quote: What Every Line Should Tell You

What Every Roofing Quote Should Contain

The Red Flags

Frequently Asked Questions

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