How to choose a roofer you can trust

When people search for a roofer near them, they usually want someone who can visit to look at the roof, will come back if there is a problem and understands local weather and building types. A firm with a real address and a van on the road is easier to hold to account than a mobile number with no name behind it.

Local does not have to mean next door. We are based in Cardenden and regularly cover Edinburgh, Perth and Dundee, travelling up to 50 miles for the right job.

Will you inspect the roof before giving a price? A proper quote needs a look at the covering, the chimneys, the lead work and the roofline.

What exactly is included? Ask whether scaffolding, waste removal, lead, ridges and gutters are in the figure, and what happens if hidden damage is found.

Who will be doing the work? Find out whether the people who quote are the people who turn up.

How long has the business been trading, and where is it based? A firm that has been around for years has a reputation to protect.

A clear written quote describes the work in enough detail to compare with others: which areas of roof, which materials, how chimneys and lead will be treated and what tidy-up is included. It should be easy to understand without a roofing dictionary. If a quote is a single line with a single number, ask for more detail before agreeing to anything.

Unsolicited callers who say they noticed a problem while passing, pressure to decide the same day, large cash payments before any work, prices that change once the scaffold is up and reluctance to give a written quote are all reasons to step back. Genuine roofers are happy for you to take time and get other opinions.

Also be cautious of anyone who recommends a full new roof without showing you why. Sometimes replacement is the right call, but it should be explained, not asserted. Equally, endless patch repairs on a roof that is worn out can waste money.

Most homeowners cannot see their own roof properly from the ground. A roofer who explains what they found, and why it matters, helps you make a sensible decision. Ask questions until you understand what is being proposed and why.

Our process is simple: you tell us what you have noticed, we inspect the roof, we explain the options honestly and we give you a written quote. If you go ahead, we agree a start date, carry out the work carefully and leave the site tidy. New roofs are our speciality, and we also handle repairs, flat roofs, chimneys and lead work, and guttering and roofline.

Should I get more than one quote? It is sensible for bigger jobs, and a fair comparison helps you understand the work. Make sure each quote covers the same scope.

Do you cover my area? We cover Edinburgh, Perth and Dundee from our base in Cardenden and will travel up to 50 miles for the right job. Ask us with your address.

Can I call outside office hours? Our hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 6:00pm and Saturday 8:00am to 12:00pm; you can also leave details through the contact page.

Rowan Roofing is family-run, based in Cardenden, Fife, with 16 years trading under our own name and over 50 years of roofing experience in the family. We cover Edinburgh, Perth and Dundee and will travel up to 50 miles for the right job. If choosing the right roofer is on your mind, we are happy to look at the roof and put our advice in a written quote.

Call 07508 571291 on weekdays from 7:30am to 6:00pm or Saturday mornings from 8:00am to 12:00pm, or send the details through our contact page.