Homeowners
Homeowners
Our Homeowners guide to useful knowledge of your roof type and selecting a contractor provides additional information for consideration.
NFRC Members who specialise in providing services directly to the homeowner may also have an accreditation with NFRC CPS, our sister company, which is regulated by the UK Government. These members can self-certify their roofing works without the need of using building inspectors. This scheme operates in England and Wales and is applicable if more than 50% of the roof area is being replaced.
NFRC is a scheme provider to TrustMark, the UK Government endorsed Quality Scheme for home improvements. Membership through NFRC is voluntary. If you are looking to find an NFRC Member of the TrustMark scheme, please head to our Find a Member page.
Should your property be listed or be of historic value, NFRC Members who are listed on the National Heritage Contractors Register, are there to assist. The National Heritage Roofing Register is part of an initiative to promote understanding and training in heritage roofing, giving additional assurance to owners of listed or historic buildings.
Other information to consider
These recommendations are designed to give you extra peace of mind when choosing a roofing contractor.
Quotes and Recommendations
Select up to three roofing contractors to look at the job. If possible, obtain recommendations from family, friends, neighbours or a reputable trade association.
Ask each of them to give advice on which materials they would suggest using.
Invite quotes from each contractor but do not automatically take the cheapest option. Base your choice on the quality of the advice given and your confidence in the contractor.
Insurance Backed Guarantee
Ask for a guarantee on new or refurbishment work. NFRC recommend purchasing an Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) which back up, but are independent of, the contractor’s own guarantee.
Remember that even the best contractors can go out of business whereupon their own guarantees become worthless, so make sure you will be covered.
Estimates
Ensure that the quote or estimate selected is given to you in writing—except possibly for small emergency repairs.
Bear in mind that ‘estimates’ for refurbishment work can change once the chosen contractor has removed the main covering (e.g. tiles/ slates) to expose the sub-structure underneath.
Payment Terms
Agree payment terms before the work commences. Be careful on upfront payments ensure you know what you are getting for any upfront payment. It may be difficult to get monies back. Contractors offering cash / VAT-free deals are not easily tracked down if things go wrong.
Don’t expect to obtain free advice from contractors, unless you have a real intention to assign the contract to them.
Homeowner Responsibility
Remember that a property owner is responsible for any planning permission that may be required on that property.
Please be aware that when carrying out refurbishment work to 50% or more of a roof's area that either a roofing contractor that is registered with the NFRC Competent Person Scheme must be employed or your Local Authority Building Control must be contacted prior to work starting. This is in order to confirm that the roof should be upgraded to meet thermal requirements of Part L of the current Building Regulations.
Thinking about installing solar panels for your home?
Solar installations on roofs are becoming an increasingly common sight across the UK. With this in mind, NFRC is encouraging its roofers to work together with reputable plumbers and electricians in order to achieve the optimum solar installation.
Our belief is that competence in roofing work rather than just knowing how to install the system is a key component when it comes to installing solar panels. Professional roofing contractors can bring expertise and knowledge, as well as the correct insurance for working at height, to solar installation.
Our members are supported and actively encouraged to consider bringing solar into their business either by being a registered installer or by becoming Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accredited.
Why should I install solar panels?
There are many reasons why property owners are choosing to have solar installed on their roofs, including:
- to save money and protect against energy price rises.
- reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by the property.
Whatever the reasons for deciding to install solar, there are a number of checks that NFRC recommends property owners should do before going ahead, which can be found in our Homeowners Guide to Roof Work. Request a copy here.
Types of solar
Solar Thermal
Solar water heating systems, or 'solar thermal' systems, uses heat from the sun to warm domestic hot water. A conventional boiler or immersion heater can be used to make the water hotter, or to provide hot water when solar energy is unavailable.
Solar water heating systems use solar panels, called collectors, fitted to your roof. These collect heat from the sun and use it to heat up water which is stored in a hot water cylinder. High performing solar thermal panels do not require direct sunshine and will collect heat on a cloudy day.
Solar PV
Solar panel electricity systems, also known as photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic cells. These cells don't need direct sunlight to work—they can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day. The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting. Costs have continued to fall as efficiencies of PV materials have risen, so the technology is becoming more and more cost-effective for generation of energy on buildings.
PV cells are made from layers of semi-conducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers. The stronger the sunshine, the more electricity is produced. Groups of cells are mounted together in panels or modules that can be mounted on your roof.
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Homeowners Guide to Roof Work
Request a copy of our 'Homeowners Guide to Roof Work' to understand the basics of your home's roof and how to find the best roofing contractor to work on it .