In this guide
Roofing work is easier to plan when the practical details are agreed before materials arrive. The arrangements for a small rear-roof repair can be quite different from a full replacement.
Walk through the access
Explain how the rear and side of the property are reached. Mention locked gates, shared passages, steps, conservatories and narrow driveways. Agree where equipment will go and which routes need to remain clear for people using the house.
Do not move equipment, climb scaffolding or use the work area as a shortcut. The contractor should explain the arrangements that keep occupants away from the roof work. HSE’s guidance for owners and occupiers of buildings with fragile roofs emphasises planning safe access before the work starts.
Make room for the job
Discuss parking, deliveries and where removed materials will be collected. Find out whether garden furniture, bins or vehicles need moving. Agree what protection will be used for paths, windows and anything beneath the work rather than assuming it is included.
Think about the people at home
Roof work can be noisy. If you work from home, have young children, keep pets or need an accessible entrance, mention that in advance. Confirm whether anyone needs access to the loft or inside the house and when you need to be available.
Ask about weather and the exposed roof
Before a covering is removed, discuss how the work will be staged and how exposed areas will be protected. Ask who will update you if the weather changes the plan, and who to contact if you notice a problem while work is under way. These arrangements should be specific to the job.
Keep decisions together
Save the quotation, agreed start arrangements and any later changes in one place. If concealed damage is found, ask to see the finding and the proposed extra work before agreeing how to proceed.
At the end of the work
Agree a handover that covers the completed scope, any outstanding items, waste collection and equipment removal. Keep the invoice and any supplied photographs, product information or written guarantee terms with the quotation.
Check the handover against the agreed work
Go through the quotation with the contractor and note any agreed changes. Ask them to explain the completion photographs, including work hidden beneath the finished covering. Confirm whether scaffolding or waste collection is still outstanding, who will arrange it and when.
You are checking that the agreed work has been accounted for, not certifying hidden workmanship yourself. Do not climb onto the roof to inspect it. Ask for clarification of anything you cannot see or do not understand.
If a symptom continues afterwards
Keep a dated record of any fresh water entry, changed staining or gutter overflow, using photographs taken safely from inside or ground level. Note the weather and where the symptom appears. Contact the contractor with the original job details and ask for the next step; a photograph alone may not establish the cause.
If water is entering now, follow the roof leak guidance. Keep the quotation, invoice, photographs and any written cover together so the agreed scope is easy to check.
Use the quotation checklist to settle these details before you book, or contact Slate and Ridge about your property.