How to Choose a Roofer in Ireland: What to Ask & What to Avoid

Your roof is the most important part of your house. Get roofing work wrong and you'll be dealing with leaks, damp, and expensive repairs for years.

Here's how to find a trustworthy roofer in Ireland.

The Problem with Roofing

Roofing has more cowboys than almost any other trade. Why?

• You can't see the work being done

• Most people don't go on their roof

• Problems take months/years to show

• Easy for chancers to do a "quick fix"

Questions to Ask Every Roofer

1. "How long have you been roofing?"

Experience matters. Roofing is skilled work. Someone with 10+ years has seen every problem.

2. "Do you have public liability insurance?"

Essential. If they fall off your roof or damage property, you need to know they're covered.

Minimum: €1.3 million cover

Ask for: Certificate of insurance (not just "yes I have it")

3. "Will you provide a written quote?"

Non-negotiable. Roofing quotes should include:

• Exact work to be done

• Materials specified

• Scaffolding (if needed)

• Skip hire

• Timeline

• Guarantee period

• Total price (incl. VAT)

4. "What materials will you use?"

Quality varies massively. Ask specifically:

• What brand of felt/membrane?

• What gauge lead?

• What type of slate/tile?

If they can't answer clearly, they're not planning to use quality materials.

5. "Do I need scaffolding?"

Safe roofing work usually needs scaffolding. It costs €800-1,500 but:

• Allows proper access

• Safety requirement

• Sign of professional operation

Red flag: "I'll just use a ladder" for anything more than a quick inspection.

6. "Can I see photos of recent jobs?"

Every professional roofer has photos. No photos = no track record.

7. "What guarantee do you offer?"

Work Type

Expected Guarantee

Roof repair

1-2 years

Flat roof (felt)

10 years

Flat roof (fibreglass)

20-25 years

Full re-roof

20-30 years

Get it in writing.

8. "Will you take before and after photos?"

Shows they're confident in their work. Also gives you evidence if problems arise.

Red Flags

🚩 "I was just passing and noticed your roof needs work"

Classic cold-call scam. Legitimate roofers don't canvass door-to-door.

🚩 "I've got materials left from another job"

Often substandard materials sold at "discount."

🚩 "We can start today"

Good roofers are booked out. Immediate availability suggests they're not in demand.

🚩 Huge deposit requested

10-20% deposit is reasonable. 50%+ upfront is a scam risk.

🚩 No written quote

Verbal quotes = "I'll add more charges as I go."

🚩 Cash only

No receipt, no guarantee, no come-back.

🚩 Pressure to decide now

"This price is only good today" — walk away.

Roofing Costs in Ireland (2025)

Repairs

Repair

Cost Range

Replace broken tile

€60 - €150

Fix valley leak

€200 - €500

Replace section of flashing

€200 - €400

Chimney repointing

€400 - €800

Ridge tile repair

€150 - €400

Gutter repair

€100 - €300

Flat Roofs

Type

Cost per m²

Lifespan

Felt (3-layer)

€70 - €100

10-15 years

EPDM rubber

€90 - €120

25-30 years

Fibreglass (GRP)

€100 - €140

25-30 years

Green roof

€150 - €250

30+ years

Average flat roof extension: 15-25m²

Full Re-Roof

House Type

Cost Range

Terraced (2-bed)

€6,000 - €10,000

Semi-detached (3-bed)

€10,000 - €18,000

Detached (4-bed)

€15,000 - €30,000

Bungalow (3-bed)

€12,000 - €22,000

Includes stripping old roof, new felt, battens, tiles/slates.

Extras

Add-on

Cost

Scaffolding

€800 - €1,500

Fascia & soffit

€80 - €120 per linear metre

Gutters

€50 - €80 per linear metre

Insulation upgrade

€1,500 - €4,000

Velux window

€1,500 - €3,500 installed

Flat Roof vs Pitched Roof

Flat Roofs

Pros:

• Cheaper to build

• Quicker installation

• Can be used as terrace

Cons:

• Shorter lifespan

• More prone to leaks

• Needs more maintenance

Pitched Roofs

Pros:

• Lasts 50+ years

• Sheds water naturally

• Attic space for conversion

Cons:

• More expensive

• Longer installation

How to Verify a Roofer

1. Check online reviews — Google, directories, Facebook

2. Ask for references — call previous customers

3. Verify insurance — ask for certificate

4. Look for trade association — not essential but shows commitment

5. Check company registration — CRO.ie for limited companies

6. Get multiple quotes — 3 minimum

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

1. Document everything — photos, dates, communications

2. Contact roofer in writing — give them chance to fix

3. Small Claims Court — for disputes under €2,000

4. Legal action — for larger amounts

5. Review sites — warn others (stick to facts)

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Looking for a roofer? Find trusted roofers near you on TradesmenIreland.ie.