Roofers get a rougher reputation than they deserve. The vast majority in Leeds are perfectly good, hard-working sole traders and small companies who take pride in their work.
But — and it's a genuine but — roofing is one of the most common trades used by rogue traders and doorstep scammers in the UK. National Trading Standards data consistently puts "roofing repairs" in the top three complaint categories. Leeds sees its fair share, especially after a storm rolls through.
Here's how to vet a Leeds roofer properly.
Rule one: never say yes to a knock at the door
The single most reliable red flag is a stranger knocking your door offering to fix your roof because they've "just noticed some tiles slipping while working next door". This is the classic setup. The work will either be unnecessary, wildly overpriced, or shoddily done — often all three.
A legitimate roofer doesn't cold-call. They're already booked out for weeks from proper referrals.
Rule two: check the paperwork
Any Leeds roofer you're seriously considering should be able to give you all of the following without hesitation:
- A company name and Companies House number (if they're a limited company) — you can check this at companieshouse.gov.uk in about 30 seconds.
- A VAT number if the job's over the threshold, or a plausible explanation if they're a sole trader below it.
- Public liability insurance — minimum £2 million cover. Ask for a certificate. A proper roofer will send it without a fuss.
- Employers' liability insurance if they have staff going up onto the roof.
- Trade body membership where relevant — the NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors), CompetentRoofer, or TrustMark. These aren't mandatory but they're a positive signal.
Rule three: get written quotes from at least three roofers
The Leeds roofing market is competitive. A £2,000 job from one roofer might be £1,400 from another — but it might also be £4,000 from a third who's about to be very busy this month. Three quotes is the minimum for anything over about £500.
A proper quote should include:
- A clear scope of work — what tiles/slates, what underfelt, how many linear metres of ridge or valley, etc.
- Materials specified by manufacturer where possible — "Marley Modern in Anthracite" is better than "concrete tiles".
- A start date, an end date, and a payment schedule.
- A total price with VAT clearly stated.
If a quote is one line on a scrap of paper for £2,300 "for roof job", walk away.
Rule four: ask to see recent local work
A Leeds roofer who's been busy for years will have finished jobs within a few miles of you. Ask for two or three addresses of recent work and, if you can, go and drive past. You're looking at:
- Straight ridge lines (no dips)
- Clean flashing (lead or code-5 aluminium neatly dressed into brickwork)
- Matching tiles/slates that don't look like they've been done from three different pallets
Also ask if you can speak to a couple of previous clients. A confident roofer will happily give you a phone number.
Rule five: never pay in full up front
A deposit of 25-40% for materials is normal for larger jobs. Anything over 50% before work starts is a red flag. Never pay the full balance until the work is complete, cleaned up, and you've had a proper look yourself — including checking from ground level with binoculars if it's a full re-roof.
Common Leeds-specific gotchas
- Chimney work — Leeds's older housing stock has a lot of tall Victorian chimneys. Cowboy repointing on a chimney is one of the most common rip-offs; the work looks fine from the ground but is actually badly done. Ask for photos taken from the scaffold before and after.
- Slate roofs — original Yorkshire stone slates are valuable. Some rogue traders will "replace" your natural slate with concrete lookalikes and quietly sell the originals. Insist on old materials staying on-site until you approve their disposal.
- Scaffold vs. ladder work — Anything more than a couple of tile replacements should involve scaffolding for the roofer's safety and your insurance protection.
Why homeowners in Leeds are joining MyHandyHub
MyHandyHub is a UK trades marketplace launching soon. Every roofer on our platform has to prove their insurance, their Companies House registration, and their trade body membership before they can quote. No lead fees, no commissions, no doorstep cowboys.
Join our waitlist and be one of the first 100 to post a job when we go live. £20 Amazon voucher on us, and you'll be able to see three verified quotes side by side.
The takeaway
In roofing, the cheapest quote is almost never the best value. But neither is the most expensive. What you want is the roofer with the best paperwork, the clearest quote, and recent work you can go and look at with your own eyes. Take a weekend to get it right — the roof over your head is one of the last things worth cutting corners on.