A roof isn’t something you inspect often, which is exactly the problem. Most homeowners only think about their roof when something’s already gone wrong: a stain spreading across the ceiling, a tile in the garden after a storm, a chimney that’s started shedding mortar. By the time you’re calling a roofing company in Ashford, you’re usually not in a position to take your time comparing options carefully.
That’s a difficult spot to make a good decision from, and it’s exactly the spot rogue traders count on. A roof is also one of the few jobs where poor work is genuinely hard to inspect yourself; most of what determines whether a roof lasts happens well above eye level, and a bad job can look perfectly fine from the ground for months before it starts leaking.
This guide outlines what truly separates a reliable roofing contractor from a risky one, so you know what to check before any work starts.
How To Choose The Right Roofing Company in Ashford
Roofing has a lower barrier to entry than most trades, which means the market includes everyone from long-established, properly accredited firms to people who bought a ladder last month. The eight checks below will help you tell the difference.
1. Ask how much of their experience is actually local
Ashford’s housing stock is genuinely mixed; Victorian and Edwardian terraces with older slate and traditional lime mortar sit alongside newer estates with straightforward truss roofs. A contractor who’s only ever worked on modern builds may not know how to handle a period property without causing damage, particularly with lime mortar repointing and heritage leadwork, where the wrong materials can trap moisture and cause more harm than the original problem.
Ask directly:
- How long have you been working on roofs in Ashford specifically?
- Have you worked on properties similar to mine, especially if it’s a period building?
- Do you understand what conservation area rules might apply to my property?
A contractor who’s genuinely local will answer these without needing to think about it.
2. Check for recognised accreditation, not just a claim of being “insured”
Anyone can say they’re insured and experienced. What’s harder to fake is membership of a recognised body, such as the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), or of a government-backed Competent Person Scheme. Contractors registered under a roofing Competent Person Scheme can self-certify their own work for Building Regulations compliance, which means Building Control is notified automatically, and you receive a compliance certificate without having to arrange it yourself.
If a contractor can’t point to any accreditation at all, that’s not automatically disqualifying for smaller jobs, but it’s worth factoring into your decision, especially for a full re-roof.
3. Understand which roof types and materials they actually specialise in
Not every roofer works across every roof type, and a contractor who’s vague about materials is often less experienced than they let on.
Pitched Roofs
Slate, clay tile, and concrete tile remain the standard for most Ashford homes. A contractor should be able to explain why one material suits your property over another, not just quote whichever is easiest to source.
Flat Roofs
EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass, and torch-on felt are the three main systems in use today, typically with a 10 to 25-year expected lifespan, depending on the system and how well it’s maintained.
Lead Work
Flashing around chimneys, valleys, and skylights is one of the most common points of failure on an otherwise sound roof. This is specialist work, and it’s worth asking whether a contractor does it in-house or subcontracts it.
A contractor who talks you through these trade-offs is generally more trustworthy than one who pushes a single option regardless of your roof type.
4. Get more than one quote, and check what’s actually included
Two or three quotes is the sensible minimum, and the cheapest number on the page rarely tells the full story. According to local cost data from Checkatrade for roofing work in Ashford, roofing jobs average around £2,421, with a typical range of £1,418 to £4,086, while smaller repairs average closer to £966. A quote that sits well outside this range in either direction is worth questioning.
A proper quote should break down:
- Materials, including type and quantity
- Labour and a realistic completion timeframe
- Scaffolding, if the job needs it
- Waste removal and disposal of the old roof covering
- VAT, itemised clearly
Be cautious of anyone who quotes without inspecting the roof first, or asks for a large deposit before anything is agreed in writing. Citizens Advice is clear on this point: once you accept a quote it becomes a binding agreement whether or not it’s written down, but only a written copy protects you if there’s a dispute later about what was promised.
5. Confirm public liability insurance and get any guarantee in writing
Roofing work carries real risk to the property below it and to anything nearby: a dropped tile, a damaged gutter, scaffolding against next door’s wall. Public liability insurance protects you if any of that happens, and any contractor who hesitates to confirm it should be treated with caution.
The same applies to workmanship guarantees. Typical guarantees in the roofing trade range from 5 to 25 years, depending on the scope of work, and a reputable contractor will put theirs in writing without being asked twice.
6. Read reviews properly, and ask for direct references
Reviews on Google, Checkatrade, or Trustpilot are useful, but the star rating alone doesn’t tell you much. Read how a company responds when a review is negative; that tells you more about how they’ll treat you if something goes wrong than the five-star reviews will.
It’s also worth asking for references from recent local jobs. A contractor confident in their work won’t hesitate to put you in touch with a previous customer.
7. Pay attention to how they behave before they’ve even got the job
How a contractor communicates during the quoting stage tends to predict how they’ll behave once work has started. Slow replies, vague pricing, or pressure to sign quickly are all signs worth taking seriously before you’ve committed to anything.
Look for a contractor who responds promptly, provides a written quote within a reasonable time, and gives you a proper written agreement before any work begins.
8. Ask whether the job needs Building Regulations approval
Most roof repairs and like-for-like replacements don’t need anything beyond a straightforward agreement between you and the contractor. But under Building Regulations Part L, replacing more than about 25% of a roof covering generally requires notifying Building Control and upgrading the insulation to current standards, regardless of whether you’re changing the roof’s appearance.
This is easy to miss on a larger repair that technically qualifies as a partial replacement. A contractor registered with a Competent Person Scheme can usually self-certify this on your behalf; one who isn’t should still tell you up front if your project falls into this category, rather than leaving you to find out later.
Quick Checklist: Questions To Ask Before You Hire
Before you agree to any roofing work, it’s worth running through these questions directly with the contractor. A trustworthy roofer will answer all of them clearly and without hesitation; vague or evasive responses to any of them are worth treating as a warning sign.
- How long have you been working on roofs in Ashford, and can I see examples nearby?
- Are you a member of the NFRC or a government-backed Competent Person Scheme?
- What roof types and materials do you specialise in, and which one do you recommend for my property, and why?
- Can I have a written, itemised quote covering materials, labour, scaffolding, and waste disposal?
- Are you covered by public liability insurance, and can you confirm this in writing?
- What guarantee comes with the work, and how long does it last?
- Will this project need Building Regulations approval or an insulation upgrade?
- What’s the realistic timeframe from start to finish?
- Who do I contact if a problem comes up after the job is done?
If a contractor answers all of these confidently and puts the key details in writing, that’s a strong sign you’re dealing with someone worth hiring.
Mistakes To Avoid When Hiring A Roofer In Ashford
Accepting a quote without an on-site inspection
A price given over the phone or from photos alone is a guess, and usually an optimistic one. Roof pitch, access, and the condition of the timber underneath all affect the real cost, and none of that is visible without someone actually getting on the roof first.
Focusing only on the headline price
Two quotes for the same job can represent very different scopes of work. A lower number often means fewer materials, no scaffolding included, or old roofing left for you to dispose of separately. Always ask what’s excluded, not just what’s included.
Not checking whether the guarantee is insurance-backed
A workmanship guarantee is only worth as much as the company behind it. If the business closes down or the tradesperson retires, a standard company guarantee becomes worthless. An insurance-backed guarantee (IBG) is independently protected by insurance, so it still stands even if the company no longer exists.
Overlooking ventilation when re-covering a roof
Swapping the roof covering without addressing ventilation can trap moisture in the loft space, leading to condensation and dampness months later, even if the new roof looks fine from the outside. A competent contractor should raise this as part of the job, not treat it as an optional extra.
Assuming scaffolding doesn’t need permission
If scaffolding needs to go up on a public pavement or road, the contractor typically needs a license from the local council. Work that starts without one can be delayed or halted partway through, an avoidable disruption if it’s checked beforehand.
Rushing into a “temporary fix” that becomes permanent
After storm damage, it’s tempting to accept whatever quick patch a contractor offers just to stop a leak. That’s sometimes necessary, but it’s worth asking clearly whether it’s a genuine temporary measure or whether the contractor is treating it as the finished job.
Why Ashford Homeowners Choose Hibbs Roofing and Building Ltd
Hibbs Roofing and Building Ltd has been carrying out roofing work across Ashford for over 25 years, and we’re happy to stand behind every point above. We’re fully insured, Google-verified, and every quote is fixed before work begins, so there are no surprises on the final bill.
We cover a wide range of roofing services in Ashford, including roof installation and repair, damp proofing, repointing, fascia, soffits & gutters, flat roofing, and leadwork. We have genuine hands-on experience with Ashford’s Victorian and Edwardian terraces, including lime mortar repointing and heritage leadwork. Alongside Ashford, we also cover Royal Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury.
Every project starts with a free roof inspection and an honest assessment of what your property actually needs. We aim to respond to emergency callouts within 24 hours, and we won’t start work until you’re genuinely happy with the plan and the price.
Conclusion
Choosing the right roofing company in Ashford comes down to checking the things a glossy website won’t tell you: genuine local experience, verifiable accreditation, a properly itemised quote, and the right paperwork if anything goes wrong. Get those right, and comparing price becomes a lot more straightforward.
Got a roofing project in mind? Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote, or call 01702 602114 to speak with the team directly.
FAQs
How quickly can you respond to an emergency roof repair in Ashford?
We aim to reach emergency roofing callouts within 24 hours across Ashford, and our team remains on call for urgent situations to patch leaks and prevent further damage before a full repair can be scheduled.
Do you offer free roof inspections?
Yes. We carry out free roof inspections across Ashford, assessing your roof’s condition and flagging any early warning signs of damage before they turn into costlier problems.
Do you work on period properties and Victorian terraces?
Yes, extensively. We have hands-on experience with Ashford’s Victorian and Edwardian terraced properties, including lime mortar repointing, heritage leadwork, and traditional slate roofing repairs and replacements.
How long does a typical roofing project take?
It depends on the scope. Minor repairs are often finished within a few hours; medium-sized jobs, like partial re-roofing, typically take one to two days; and full roof installations or major renovations can take several days. A proper contractor will give you a realistic timeframe as part of the quote rather than a vague estimate.
How much does a new roof or roof repair cost in Ashford?
Based on local cost data from Checkatrade, roofing jobs in Ashford average around £2,421, typically ranging from £1,418 to £4,086, while smaller repair jobs average closer to £966. Larger pitched roof replacements across Kent more broadly tend to fall between £6,000 and £12,000 depending on materials and access. A site visit is the only reliable way to get a figure specific to your property, since roof size, pitch, and material all affect the final price.
