20 years in roofing

Why I do this.

I've been in roofing since I left school when i joined a family business, so I grew up around it rather than choosing it later in life. Along the way I picked up my lead welding and EPDM Installer certifications, and over the years I've worked across pretty much every kind of roof: slate, tile, flat roofing including Single Ply, liquid rubber, and EPDM, as well as loft conversions. Aqua-Proof Roofing, the company I ran, was ranked in the top 5 locally based on customer reviews — I didn't build a business on cutting corners, and RoofCheck UK carries that same standard, just aimed differently.

I stepped back from being on the tools day to day as I got older — the trade is hard on your body after two decades of it. But I didn't want to walk away from roofing altogether, and I definitely didn't want to stop being useful to people going through a house purchase with so many problems in the building trade with unqualified or inexperienced tradesmen.

Why independent matters

I've seen first-hand what happens when people don't get honest advice. Years ago I was charged £20,000 by a builder on a job of my own for work never completed — I know exactly what it feels like to be taken advantage of by someone who's meant to be on your side. That's part of why RoofCheck UK exists: so buyers and sellers get a straight answer, not a sales pitch.

I've also seen the other side of it professionally. Reports aren't always right, and a second, specialist set of eyes can catch what a general survey misses. This is why a surveyor will often recommend a specialist review for certain things in their report.

Buyers and sellers, not just buyers

Most people think of this as a buyer's service, but I work for sellers too. If you're selling and someone — a buyer, their surveyor, an estate agent — tells you the roof needs replacing, get a second opinion before you accept that or drop your price. I'm independent either way; I'm not trying to win repair work off the back of the report, whichever side of the transaction you're on.

What actually happens on the day

A typical inspection is about 45 minutes - 2 hours on site, followed by around two - three hours writing up the report properly back in the office — with photographs, in plain English. You'll typically have it within 3 days, and I'm always happy to jump on a call afterwards to talk through anything in it or answer any questions.

I'll bring a ladder and get up close where it's safe to do so, but I won't take risks on access - access onto the roof from a ladder is often not possible within health and safety guidance. If you, or I, think that roof access would be a significant advantage, this can be arranged and we can discuss the cost of that. But more often than not, the main investigative work happens inside the loftspace. One thing I can't do is inspect solar panels, though I can still assess the roof they're mounted on.

Practical bits

I cover Bristol and the surrounding area, and work weekends and evenings when the weather and light allow it — I know house purchases don't run to office hours. If you're arranging access through an estate agent, just make sure they're expecting me to get in touch, and I'll arrange the visit directly with them. I can usually get out to a property within a week of you getting in touch.

Pricing starts from £200 for small inspections; it goes up with the size and complexity of the roof, harder access, or listed building. A standard inspection with no additional access for a large roof will rarely exceed £400, but I'll always confirm a fixed price before attending, not after.