Questions
Roofing questions, answered straight
Straight answers to the questions people ask before they get a roofer in: prices, planning, leaks, insurance and choosing who to trust. Not here? Call or text Peak Roofing.
Roofing questions
Choosing a roofer
How do I tell a good roofer?
Ask them to show you what’s wrong (photos help), ask what the job includes, and agree the price before any work starts. Be wary of anyone who knocks on your door saying they’ve spotted a problem.
Do you charge to come out and quote?
No. Quotes are free anywhere we cover in Lancashire, with no obligation to book.
My roof joins my neighbour’s. Can you repair just mine?
Yes. On a terrace or a semi, your roof ties in with your neighbour’s at the party wall, so the join is part of the job. Tell us if the problem is near the line between the two houses.
What should I send when I get in touch?
Your town or street, what you can see (a slipped tile, a damp patch, water over the gutter) and, if you can take one safely from the ground or indoors, a photo. Text it to the same number you’d call.
Roofing questions
Costs and timing
How much does a roofer charge?
Most roofing is priced per job, not per hour, because the cost depends on what’s wrong, the materials and how the roof is reached. We look first and give you the price before any work. See roof repairs and new roofs.
What time of year is best to replace a roof?
Roofs can be replaced all year round. Drier months make the weather easier to plan around; in winter the work is planned day by day around the forecast.
Will a repair stop the leak for good?
A repair lasts when it fixes where the water gets in, not where it shows. That’s why the roof gets looked at before anything is priced. If the roof is failing in several places, we’ll tell you a repair won’t be enough, and why.
Roofing questions
Permission and rules
Do I need planning permission for roof work?
Roof work that doesn’t materially change how the house looks, such as repairs and like-for-like re-roofing, usually doesn’t need planning permission. Listed buildings, conservation areas with Article 4 directions, and changes to the shape or height of a roof can need permission or consent, so check with your council first.
Do building regulations apply to a new roof?
They can, for example when a large part of a roof is renewed, because insulation and structure rules may apply. Check with building control before the work starts.
Can you re-roof over an existing flat roof?
Stripping the old covering means the deck underneath can be checked and replaced where it’s rotten. See flat roofing.
Roofing questions
Leaks and storm damage
My roof is leaking. What should I do first?
Move things away from the drip, put a bucket under it and, if water is near a light or socket, switch that circuit off, but only if the fuse box is dry and safe to reach. Don’t go on the roof. Then call or text with where the water is showing. See roof leak repair.
Is a leaking roof covered by home insurance?
It depends on your policy and the cause. Sudden storm damage is often covered; wear and tear usually isn’t. Check with your insurer before the work.
More roofing questions? Ask us
Call 07576 545213 or text us or send us the form. Or read about chimney repairs and fascias and guttering.