Roofing Scams and How to Spot Them

How Roofing Scams Work

The typical roofing scam follows a pattern. Someone knocks on your door uninvited and claims they have spotted a problem with your roof. They say they were working nearby and noticed missing tiles, or they can see damage from the street. They offer to take a look for free.

Once on the roof, they return with bad news: loose flashing, cracked tiles, a leak waiting to happen. The problem may be entirely invented, or they may have caused it themselves while up there. The aim is to create urgency so you feel that if you do not act now, you will face a much bigger bill later.

Then comes the offer. They can fix it today at a special price because they have materials left over from another job. They want cash, and they want you to agree on the spot. If you hesitate, they push harder: the price is only available today, the weather is about to turn, the damage will get worse.

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Who They Target and Warning Signs

Roofing scammers focus on people they think are less likely to push back. Older homeowners are a common target, particularly those living alone. They also look for well maintained homes, assuming the owner cares about the property and can afford to pay.

They often work in teams. One person knocks while another watches from a van. Some return to the same street or house weeks later with a different story.

The biggest red flag is an uninvited visit. Legitimate roofers do not drive around looking for work by knocking on doors. They get business through recommendations, trade directories, and online enquiries. Other warning signs:

• They cannot provide a landline number, business address, or company registration details
• They want cash only and will not provide a written quote or invoice
• They pressure you to agree immediately and say the price will go up if you wait
• They claim to have leftover materials from a nearby job
• They refuse to give references from previous customers
• They ask for full payment upfront before any work starts
• They have no public liability insurance or refuse to show proof

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

How to Protect Yourself

Never agree to roof work on the spot from someone who has knocked on your door. If you think there might be a genuine problem, find your own roofer through a trade body such as the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), TrustMark, or Checkatrade. Some local councils also run approved trader schemes.

Always get at least two or three written quotes before agreeing to any work. A written quote should include a full breakdown of the work, materials, timescales, and payment terms. Make sure you have a written contract before work begins. Do not pay in full upfront: a reasonable deposit is normal, but hold back most of the payment until the work is finished and you are satisfied.

Ask any roofer for proof of public liability insurance. This protects you if there is accidental damage or someone is injured during the work. A legitimate tradesperson will not be offended by the question.

What to Do if You Have Been Scammed

If you have handed over money to a rogue roofer, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or through their website. The phone line is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm. Also report it to your local Trading Standards service through Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133.

If you paid by credit card for more than £100, you may be able to claim a refund through your card provider under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. If you paid by debit card, ask your bank about a chargeback, though this is not guaranteed.

If the roofer carried out substandard or unnecessary work, you may have a claim under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which requires services to be carried out with reasonable care and skill. Citizens Advice or a solicitor can help you work out your options.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Spot a Scammer lets you describe what a trader has said or done and find out whether it sounds like a scam. Try it now →