The Golden Rule: Get 3 Written Quotes
Never hire a roofer without comparing prices. Always get at least 3 written quotes from different contractors. This takes 30 minutes of your time and can save you hundreds of euros. A good quote breaks down labour, materials, scaffolding, and any repairs discovered during the inspection. If a roofer refuses to quote in writing, move on—it's a red flag.
Check Insurance First
Before you even ask about price, ask: Do you have public liability insurance and employer's liability insurance?
Public liability insurance (minimum €6 million cover) protects you if the roofer damages your property or your neighbour's during the work. It also covers injury to third parties. A roofer without this is a massive risk—if something goes wrong, you're liable.
Employer's liability insurance is required if they have staff. It covers their workers if they get injured on your job. A legit roofer will have both and show you proof (certificate of insurance) without hesitation.
If they say "I'm just a small operation" or "I don't need it," that's not acceptable. Irish law requires it for most trades. Walk away.
Verify They're Registered with CIF (or Similar)
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) and similar bodies (CIRI—the Register of Construction Professionals) hold registered roofers to a code of conduct. If a roofer is CIF-registered, they're vetted, insured, and held accountable for complaints.
Check CIF.ie or ask the roofer directly: Are you registered? Can you give me your registration number? If they're reluctant or can't provide it, that's a warning sign. It doesn't mean they're dodgy, but you have less recourse if things go wrong.
Check Reviews (Google, Trustpilot, GoldenPages)
Google reviews are essential. Look for:
Recent reviews: A review from 2023 is less relevant than one from this month. Work quality can change.
Specific detail: "Great job, very professional" is vague. "They replaced my gutters, cleaned up well, finished on time" is better. Look for specifics about communication, punctuality, and quality.
Mixed reviews: A roofer with 4.8 stars and 100 reviews is more trustworthy than one with 5.0 stars and 3 reviews. A few negative reviews are normal; look at how the roofer responds. Do they fix problems or make excuses?
Red flags in reviews: "Didn't finish the job," "left a mess," "charged extra without warning," "unreliable." These suggest dodgy business practices.
Check Trustpilot and GoldenPages too. More data = clearer picture.
Ask for References (and Actually Call Them)
A reputable roofer will give you 2-3 recent customer references. Call them. Ask:
Did the roofer show up on time? Was the job completed as quoted? Were there any unexpected costs? How was communication? Would you hire them again? Can I visit the work site to see the quality?
If they won't provide references, or if the references are vague or reluctant, that's a red flag.
Look at Previous Work
Ask the roofer: Can I see photos of recent jobs? Even better, ask if you can visit a completed project (with the homeowner's permission). Look at:
- Is the workmanship clean and tidy?
- Are flashings sealed properly (around chimneys, vents)?
- Is the guttering level and secure?
- Are materials consistent and professional?
A roofer proud of their work will be happy to show it off. If they deflect or say "I don't have photos," that's odd.
Red Flags: Walk Away From These
Cash only, no receipt: Dodgy roofers often insist on cash to avoid tax. This also means no guarantee—if the job fails, you have no proof you paid them. Legitimate businesses invoice and accept card payments.
No written quote: If they quote verbally or scribble on a scrap of paper, move on. A professional provides a detailed, itemised written quote.
Pressure to decide immediately: "This price is only good today" or "I have another job starting tomorrow, you need to decide now." Legitimate roofers don't rush clients. This is a classic high-pressure sales tactic.
Door-to-door cold calling: "I noticed your roof while driving past, you need repairs urgently." This is common in Dublin and it's a scam indicator. Reputable roofers rely on referrals and reputation, not knocking on doors.
Massive discount for upfront payment: "Pay me 50% now and I'll give you a big discount." If something goes wrong mid-job, you're stuck with no leverage. Never pay more than 10-20% upfront; pay the balance on completion.
No clear warranty: A good roofer guarantees their workmanship (usually 5-10 years) and materials (per manufacturer spec). If they can't articulate this, that's a problem.
Vague about what they're doing: If you ask "Will you replace the fascia?" and they say "We'll see when we get up there," that's not professional. They should inspect first, quote in detail, then do the work as quoted.
What a Good Written Quote Should Include
A professional quote has:
The Breakdown
Labour costs, materials costs (itemised—e.g., "uPVC guttering €60/m x 40m = €2,400"), scaffolding (if needed), any additional work discovered.
The Scope
What exactly will be done. "Replace roof" is vague. "Replace 50 square metres of slate roof with matching reclaimed slates, including flashing and guttering" is clear.
Timescale
How long will the work take? Is there a start date?
Warranty
What's guaranteed? For how long? Is there a written warranty document?
Conditions
What happens if repairs are discovered mid-job? How much notice will you get? Can they invoice extra or must they stop and renegotiate?
Contact & Insurance Details
Company name, address, phone, email. Public liability and employer's liability insurance details. CIF or other registration numbers.
For SEAI Insulation Work: Check the SEAI List
If you're claiming a SEAI roof insulation grant, the contractor must be on the SEAI Better Energy Homes registered contractor list. You can't use an unregistered roofer even if they offer a "good price." Check seai.ie before hiring. Registered contractors mean quality control and your grant is secure.
Know Your Consumer Rights
Statutory warranty: In Ireland, goods and services come with an implied warranty of quality. If a roofer's work fails within a reasonable time (usually 5-7 years for roofing), you can claim.
If things go wrong: Try to resolve it with the roofer first (email, in writing). If they won't cooperate, you can complain to the CCPC (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission) or take small claims court action. Keep all quotes, invoices, photos, and emails—they're evidence.
Deposit protection: If you pay a deposit, it should be protected under the Deposits Protection Scheme (if applicable to your job). Ask the roofer how they handle deposits.
Final Checklist Before You Hire
Insurance: Public liability + employer's liability? Check certificates.
Registration: CIF or CIRI registered? Ask for registration number.
Written quote: Detailed, itemised, signed?
Reviews: Google, Trustpilot, GoldenPages checked?
References: Called at least 2 past clients?
Site visit: Seen previous work or photos?
No red flags: No pressure sales, no cash-only, no vague quotes?
Warranty: Clear written warranty included?
If you tick all these boxes, you've done due diligence. Hire with confidence.
A Word on Price
The cheapest quote isn't always the best value. A roofer undercutting others might be cutting corners (cheaper materials, inexperienced labour) or they might be losing money and rush through your job to make it up elsewhere. Three similar quotes suggest fair market pricing. One quote wildly lower? Ask why. One wildly higher? Ask what's included that others aren't.