When you choose a roofer, you are making an important decision. Your roof protects your entire house, and the work often represents a large budget. Yet most roof defects are invisible: a badly connected underlay, incomplete insulation or a sloppy flashing only show up after several rainfalls, sometimes after several years. The choice of company is therefore decisive. Here are ten simple checks to make before signing.
1. Check the company’s registration
A building professional in Belgium has a company number registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises. Check it online: you will find the address, the date of incorporation and the declared activities. This number must appear on the quote and invoice, together with the VAT number. It is also a condition for reduced VAT and regional grants.
2. Ask for the insurance certificate
A reliable roofer is covered by professional liability insurance, and construction companies are subject to insurance obligations for certain types of work. Ask for the certificate: if damage occurs during the work or a problem arises afterwards, it is what protects you.
3. Insist on a visit before the quote
A serious roofing quote is not drawn up over the phone or from a photo taken from a distance. The roofer must see the roof, measure the areas and inspect the loft, the timbers and the zinc work. Be wary of a price given without a visit: it often hides extras.
4. Get a detailed quote
The quote should itemise every element: site set-up, stripping, roof timbers, insulation, underlay, covering, zinc work, roof windows and waste removal. For each material, it should state the brand, the reference and, for insulation, the thermal resistance achieved. A one-line quote lets you neither compare nor check what will be installed. Our article on roof renovation cost details the items to expect.
5. Compare several offers
Ask for two or three quotes and compare them line by line, not just on the total. A quote that is much cheaper than the others often leaves out an item, such as the underlay, the zinc work or waste removal, or uses lower-quality materials.
6. Ask for references
An experienced roofer can show you photos of recent projects, or even addresses near you where you can see the result. Read online reviews too, focusing on detailed reviews rather than just the score.
7. Clarify the guarantees
Ask which guarantees apply to labour and materials, for how long, and how they work in practice. Guarantees must be in writing. For work affecting stability or watertightness, the contractor’s ten-year liability may apply depending on the type of work.
8. Agree on the deposit and payment terms
A reasonable deposit on ordering is normal, particularly to buy the materials. Be wary of a very high deposit, full payment before the work or cash payment without an invoice. The balance is paid on handover, after inspection.
9. Set the schedule and deal with the unexpected
The quote or contract should give an approximate start date, the expected duration and how unforeseen issues will be handled. On a roof, the main unknown is the condition of the timbers, revealed when the roof is stripped: a unit price for replacing a rafter or batten avoids unpleasant surprises.
10. Make sure you have a single point of contact
A roofing project involves several stages and sometimes several teams. Having a reachable site manager who keeps you informed and answers your questions makes all the difference. Ask who your contact will be and how you will be kept up to date.
Warning signs
Be careful if…
the roofer knocks on your door uninvited, claims your roof is dangerous and must be treated today, offers an exceptional discount valid immediately, refuses to leave a written quote, asks for cash or a very large deposit, or has no company number or verifiable address.
These practices are common after storms and during door-to-door campaigns for roof treatments presented as renovations. Always take the time to check. Our article on storm damage recalls the right reflexes.
Why choose a roofer close to home?
When you choose a roofer, proximity is an advantage: the company knows the roof styles in your area, the local regulations and the local suppliers, and can respond quickly if there is a problem after the work. A roofer who works regularly in your municipality also has a reputation to protect. It is not an absolute criterion, but it counts in favour of a lasting relationship.
Questions to ask during the visit
- What condition are my roof timbers and underlay in?
- Should it be repaired or renovated? Why?
- Which insulation do you recommend, with what thermal resistance?
- Which materials exactly, and why those?
- Who will carry out the work: your own teams or subcontractors?
- How will you protect the house during the work?
- Do you sort and remove the waste yourselves?
- Can I benefit from reduced VAT and regional support?
After the work: the handover
At the end of the project, walk around the house with the site manager. Check that the surroundings are clean, and look at the gutters, the visible junctions and the loft. Ask for photos of the hidden stages, the technical data sheets for the materials and the written guarantees. Keep everything in a file: these documents will be useful for your insurance, a grant application or a future sale.
Frequently asked questions
Should a roofer’s quote be free?
Most roofers provide a free quote after a visit. Some charge for an in-depth survey, for example with a cherry picker or a detailed report: this must be announced in advance.
Should you always choose the cheapest quote?
No. Compare the content of each quote: a low price often hides a forgotten item or lower-performance materials, which you will pay for later.
How far in advance should you book a roofer?
For a renovation, allow several weeks to a few months depending on the season. Emergencies, such as leaks and storm damage, are dealt with as a priority.
In summary
To choose a roofer well, check their registration and insurance, insist on a visit and a detailed quote, compare offers, ask for references and written guarantees, and be wary of pushy door-to-door sellers. At Toiture En Ligne, the visit and quote are free, our guarantees are in writing and a single site manager looks after you, in Brussels, Walloon Brabant, Hainaut and Flanders. Find out more about us.
