Roofing scams cost UK homeowners over £120m in 2025 according to Action Fraud. The pattern is remarkably consistent — cold-call, urgency, cash-only, no paperwork. This is the checklist to run before signing anything, plus how verified reviews fit into the defence.
Sign 1 — The unsolicited knock
'We noticed damage on your roof while working next door'. Legitimate roofers do not door-knock. Full stop.
Sign 2 — Cash-only, today-only
Any urgency + any cash-only demand = walk away. Real roofers accept bank transfer and issue an invoice.
Sign 3 — No verifiable address
A trader with no fixed address, no VAT number and no verifiable review history on any platform. Verification is not a bonus; it is the baseline.
- Verifiable business address
- VAT number if turnover justifies it
- Verified reviews across 12+ months
- Written quote with materials listed
Sign 4 — Materials swapped after quote
Cheaper felt substituted after work begins. Insist on materials being listed by brand and quantity on the written quote.
Sign 5 — Ladder photos, no drone survey
A £3,000+ roof job without a drone or ladder survey is a guess. Reputable trades share the survey photos in the quote.
Sign 6 — No insurance-backed guarantee
A guarantee is worthless if the trader disappears. Insurance-backed guarantees (IBGs) survive the trader closing shop.
FAQ
Where do I report a roofing scammer?
Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) and Citizens Advice consumer service (0808 223 1133). Both feed CMA and trading-standards enforcement.
Do verified reviews prevent all roofing scams?
No — but a trader with 40+ verified reviews across 18 months, plus a fixed address and IBG, is dramatically safer than the alternative.
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Discussion (2)
- Priya S.· 2 days ago
Really practical breakdown — the four-part reply structure is now on our till-side crib sheet. Thank you.
- Dan (Cannock Plumbing)· 5 days ago
Went from 12 reviews to 47 in three months following almost exactly this playbook. It works.