A rogue trader at the door
In August 2025 a man knocked on Angela's door in Kennington and offered to clear her gutters, then told her the slates on her front bay were damaged and needed replacing urgently.
They weren't. He had smashed them deliberately. She paid him more than £6,000 for repairs that were never done, and was left with her bay roof open to the weather and broken slate across the garden.
Putting the slate bay right
We inspected the roof, gave her a clear quote, and matched new slate to the rest of the roof. Two days later the bay was reinstated and watertight. It was the second time Angela had used us.
A bay roof is small but fiddly: short slopes, hips, and lead where it meets the wall of the house. Natural slate varies in size, thickness and colour from one quarry to the next, so a repair that's going to look right has to be matched to what's already there rather than to whatever's in stock. More on slate and tile work on our pitched roofing page, and on smaller jobs on roof repairs.
How not to get caught by a rogue roofer
Be wary of anyone who knocks on the door offering roof work. Check a roofer's reviews, insurance and trade body before they go up a ladder, and never pay a large sum up front. We don't take deposits at all.
Angela's story is not the only one. In 2024 another customer had a doorstep caller tell them their ridge tiles were loose, put a ladder up, and announce that the battens were rotten. They rang us instead. John found there was nothing wrong with the battens: only the ridge tiles needed reseating.
A proper roofer will give you a written quote, show you the problem (from a photo or a drone if they can't get you up there), and never need an answer today. We're members of the Confederation of Roofing Contractors (no. 1501), and every review we have is on our reviews page, word for word. Our guide to checking any roofer lists what to ask.
Your rights after a doorstep sale
If you agree to roof work at your own front door, the law gives you time to change your mind. Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, a service agreed away from the trader's premises can be cancelled within 14 days, and if the trader never told you about that right, the period runs for a further 12 months. A trader who won't put your right to cancel in writing is telling you something about themselves.
If you think you've been caught, report it. The Citizens Advice consumer helpline, 0808 223 1133, passes reports on to Trading Standards. And if a caller won't leave, or you feel unsafe, call the police. Then get an honest look at the roof: a photo from the ground is enough for Steve to tell you whether anything is wrong at all. More on roof repairs and on making a roof safe if it's been left open.
"If only all traders were like this one! Decent, responsible, and helpful. It's the second time I have used them and would use them again."
