Emergency Roofers Near Me

By Lucy
Last updated 18th April 2024 - Reading time: 11 mins

There are some home issues you simply can’t ignore - and roofing emergencies are at the top of the list. Whether it’s a leaking roof, dangerously loose roof tiles, or storm damage requiring urgent attention, hiring a local emergency roofer can help prevent further damage to your property, and ensure the safety and security of both the structure and its occupants.

roof after fire damage

When dealing with a vital house component such as the roof you’ll want to hire a skilled, reputable emergency roofer to take care of issues efficiently without causing any further damage. In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps of hiring the best emergency roofers so that you’re prepared if and when the time comes to need one.

Let’s get started!

Understanding Your Roofing Emergency

Your first step when enlisting emergency roofing services is to assess the nature of your suspected roof damage.

While some issues can be booked in and scheduled with a regular roofer - such as minor damage around your chimney, or one or two loose or missing roof tiles - other issues can come with a more pressing sense of urgency.

Roofing emergencies can range from:

  • Storm damage that has lifted roof tiles and is causing water to enter your property.
  • A fallen tree/branch has landed on your roof, causing a hole, and requiring immediate attention.
  • A house fire has caused damage to the structural integrity of your roof or has destroyed your roof.
  • You’ve found evidence of rotting roof timbers, leading to suspected structural instability of your roof.

It should be fairly clear to see if you have a roof emergency on your hands. Giving your tradesperson a thorough description of the issue is crucial if you want to ensure a swift response and resolution.

Using MyJobQuote’s Online Directories

The good news is that there are plenty of emergency roofer companies to choose from if you do find yourself in a situation that requires one.

The best way of finding a suitable trader is using MyJobQuote’s online directory to find local emergency roofers. By simply filling in a few questions about your roofing issue, you can find a trusted roofer in your area in seconds, helping you to get your house back to normal as soon as possible.

Unlike other online directories, you can compare quotes with MyJobQuote, looking at user reviews and ratings to get an up-to-date picture of the contractor’s work ethic - and not something true ten years ago and no longer the case.

roof destroyed in storm

You will also be able to view photos from past customers, giving you greater visibility on the trader’s work quality, and helping you to make an informed choice when picking the best emergency roofer for you.

Simply click here to get your search started.

Verifying Roofer Qualifications

When comparing your contractor’s quotes, you must take a close look at their qualifications, verifying their claims where necessary. While some trades can get away with a more informal approach to training and licensing, roofers go through a stringent process to earn their stripes, and it’s a clear red flag if a roofer doesn’t have any formal qualifications as they’re likely to deliver sub-par work.

While less-qualified contractors may offer you cheaper rates, your house’s roof is not an area you want to scrimp on, as inadequate repairs can lead to greater problems further down the line. And, while another roof emergency may not happen in your homeownership, when it comes to selling up and moving on, poorly executed roof repairs can deter potential housebuyers so it’s in everyone’s best interests that you get the work carried out formally.

You should pay close attention to the roofer’s experience, and pay special interest to their experience in handling emergency roof projects in particular. While a roofing specialist may be great at long-term projects and renovations, they mightn’t have as much experience in rapid work and repairs, meaning they’re not an ideal candidate in these scenarios.

To understand this, you should take a look at customer reviews for these services in particular to get a good idea of the type of work they provide when there is a time crunch. Working effectively over a long period is one skill, but being able to translate that quality of work into a much shorter timeframe is another skill altogether, and is usually only held by emergency roofing specialists.

A good test of character and standard of work is to search for your roofing contractor on NFRC (The National Federation of Roofing Contractors). Being part of this trade association shows dedication to the trade, and can be a useful factor when making your decision.

While you will want to get your roofing emergency fixed immediately, this skill verification step is crucial to ensure that the roofer you opt for has the necessary skills and knowledge to address your emergency effectively. Failure to properly assess your contractor at this stage can, unfortunately, lead to bigger problems with more expensive price tags to remedy, so it’s worth taking your time to be diligent

Communication and Engagement

Effectively communicating with roofing experts during a time of crisis can be hard. You will understandably want to get your issue resolved as quickly as possible, and this may mean that some of your usual attention to detail is lost when speaking to your specialist.

Detailing your roofing emergency as clearly as possible is paramount to getting you the right help. When discussing pricing, a thorough understanding of the issue is required to ensure that the project scope is determined in line with your actual needs.

leak

Throughout your project, you must keep an open line of communication with your emergency roofer. If any additional damage is discovered, or further issues are uncovered due to the removal of failing roof tiles, for example, being available to adjust the project scope is important to keep the project on track.

While you will want your problem solved immediately, your roofing expert will want to set realistic timeframes and expectations. You must agree to these terms during the decision-making process, and flag any issues or concerns at this stage to avoid any unnecessary delays to the repair works once the project begins.

Your roofer will be experienced in working at a speed relative to the roofing emergency, and will likely be able to effectively manage the situation to ensure that the repairs are completed as expected, in line with the expectations of both parties. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you have them, as ignorance certainly isn’t bliss in these situations.

Requesting Quotes Through MyJobQuote's Quote Form

During emergencies, you don’t want to waste time scouring the internet for the best emergency roofers and reaching out to them one by one. By using MyJobQuote’s quote form, you can request emergency roofing services from multiple traders at once, streamlining the quotation process and ultimately making it easier for you to make an informed decision about the best trader for you.

Clicking here will take you to our quote page, where you will need to fill in some simple questions about your roofing issue. Follow these simple steps:

  • Enter your postcode
  • Select the type of roofing work you need to complete
  • Define your roof type - pitched, flat, or other
  • Define the height of your roof - single, two, three storeys or more
  • Define your roof material - tiles, slate, fibreglass, felt, etc
  • Select the work you need to be done - tile repairs, leak fixing, flashing repair, etc
  • Enter a description for your job, being as detailed as possible, stressing the urgency of the issue
  • Add photos of your roofing emergency - this is especially important if you aren’t sure of what the exact issue is
  • Select your budget range
  • Define your timeframe - roofing emergencies need to be completed as soon as possible
  • Enter your email address
  • Wait to receive quotes from suitable local emergency roofers

Including extra details such as photos and a thorough written description of your emergency can help roofing specialists quote you accurately. The quotes will then go straight into your inbox, where you can conveniently compare quotes from professionals in one place and get your roofing emergency seen to.

Seeking Personal Recommendations

Sometimes, working with contractors can involve a lot of trial and error. While their website may say one thing, perhaps their work ethic, in reality, isn’t quite as good as they say it is and their timekeeping may leave a lot to be desired.

Where possible, it’s a good idea to seek recommendations from friends and family on the emergency roofing services they have used in the past. It’s important to bear in mind that if the company is national, although one person’s experience in the north of the country might have been good, the same company in the south may give different results as it’s likely that teams will be made up of local professionals and not the same crew across the country.

rotting roof timbers

With this in mind, asking neighbours and colleagues who live in the same region as you can be a great way to go as you’re likely to get the same workers, especially if they are a local emergency roofing company.

As we’ve previously mentioned, hiring an adept emergency roofer is of the highest importance, and asking for personal referrals from friends, family and neighbours can help to provide insights into the reliability of their service, giving you that extra peace of mind when hiring roofing specialists.

Understanding Service Terms and Agreements

When a roofing emergency strikes, it can be easy to get swept away with hiring the first roofer you find just to get the job fixed, agreeing to any terms - and any price. It’s prudent to take a little bit of extra time to understand the service terms and agreements before committing to a contractor, as failure to do so could lead to more issues further down the line.

Before the work begins and the quote is approved, you must clarify the scope of the work. As the work is classed as an emergency, there will be a set call-out fee that will be added to the price of the actual work.

You must understand the pricing and the payment terms. Work may be quoted on an estimated cost basis, in which case you must have an upper limit set so that the costs don’t spiral out of control.

The work needs to be agreed upon via a written quotation, detailing the scope of the project, and including any special guarantees or warranties. When comparing quotes, it’s a good idea to look at these sections independently as a lower overall price with fewer guarantees/warranties than the higher-priced option may be enticing but isn’t necessarily the best choice in terms of long-term care for your roof.

Some red flags to be aware of are when traders ask for the full amount before any work has even started, or if ask for cash-only payments or offer VAT-free deals, as these can be hallmarks of rogue traders. While a low price may be compelling, it’s best to stick with trusted traders with solid reputations to avoid potential issues.

Ensuring a clear agreement is reached between parties will help to give a mutual understanding of the expectations and responsibilities, setting you up for a smooth transaction.

When a roofing emergency strikes, dealing with the issue promptly is of utmost importance to safeguard your property and its occupants. While speed is of the essence, it’s important to still take an informed approach when selecting an emergency roofer.

Utilising MyJobQuote’s online trader directory can help to give you a streamlined resolution, saving you time and effort when searching for suitable emergency experts. You can compare quotes quickly and easily, while considering customer reviews and images of past work, to help you choose the right professional for your problem.

For a stress-free resolution to your roofing emergency, MyJobQuote can take the guesswork out of hiring your roofing specialist, and help you resolve your problem efficiently and effectively.

Last updated by MyJobQuote on 18th April 2024.
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