Public Liability for Roofing Contractors
Being a roofer is a very specialist job. Not only is it quite dangerous, but it is also quite skilled. Many of us don’t think much about the roof over our heads at any given time, but a well constructed roof that is looked after and maintained can last anything up to 60 years or more. Now that’s what I call craftsmanship. So when you’re looking at getting repairs done, how do you know if the roofer you choose is any good?
Well there’s several ways you can do this. First of all, you can attempt to look them up on a trade association website. In the UK there are three well known one’s:
* Confederation of Roofing Contractors * The National Federation of Roofing Contractors * The Institute of Roofing
In order to become a member of one of these associations, a contractor normally has to meet a required professional standard. This standard comprises holding relevant and correct roofing qualifications and specific insurance for roofers that provides a set minimum level of cover.
Ordinarily, a roofer who is a member of a trade association should have some or all of the following:
* A minimum level of roofers insurance, or public liability insurance as it’s also known, to a level of 1,000,000. This is to cover any damage caused to a person or their property and any professional roofer will be more than willing to provide a customer with a copy of this upon request. In fact, on larger jobs where a company is sub contracted this is mandatory, and a contract will not be awarded until evidence of cover has been produced. * An insurance backed guarantee. A written guarantee from the roofer themselves is all well and good, but if that firm should ever go bust, the cover will immediately cease. If the guarantee is backed up with insurance, then it will still stand even if that roofing company does go into dissolution. * Qualifications such as NVQ’s and City of Guilds. Also the Institute of Roofing provide some of their own technical qualifications which are recognised by the NFRC.
It’s unlikely a cowboy firm will be able to produce any documentary proof of these and they will probably attempt to side step any issues you have or deny this is industry practice. If this is the case, then walk away, otherwise, it’s likely your chosen contractor is a good one. Besides, even the best craftsmen make mistakes, but should anything untoward happen, that’s what proper insurance cover is for.
Matt Withers is marketing manager for Coversure Commercial who specialise in liability insurance for various contractors including roofing insurance.
