Plan the replacement around your existing roof
Before choosing a finish, set out why you are considering a replacement. You might be comparing options after repeated repairs, planning other property work or seeking advice about a deteriorating covering. Tell us what has already been inspected and share any reports you hold. It is useful to separate the problems you have observed from work another contractor has recommended.
A full roof replacement and a replacement covering are not necessarily the same scope. Ask whether the proposal concerns the outer covering only or includes other components. If the immediate concern is a particular leak or damaged area, review our roof repair information as well. A written explanation of the options makes a larger roofing decision easier to assess.
Choosing slate, tiles or a flat roofing system
Start with the shape and construction of the building and the roof it already has. Discuss the proposed material, appearance, detailing and suitability for the roof rather than selecting only by colour. Our slate roofing page covers enquiries about reslating, while the tiled roofing page explains questions about tile matching and product choice.
Manufacturer guidance is relevant when choosing a tiled covering. Marley explains that fixing specifications take account of factors including location, exposure, building height, roof design and the chosen product. Its tile fixing guidance provides background for that discussion. Linking to this guidance does not mean a particular manufacturer or product has been specified for your project.
Agree the scope before work begins
Ask the quotation to identify what will be removed, what is intended to remain and which new materials are included. Discuss the covering, supporting layers, roof junctions, ridge and edge details and rainwater disposal. Where work is conditional on what is found after opening up, that distinction should be clear before you accept the quote.
Use a simple checklist when reviewing proposals: access and scaffolding; stripping and disposal; work to any defective substrate; new covering and junctions; any agreed insulation or ventilation work; and the arrangements for completion. This is a quotation checklist, not a promise that every item is required or included in every roof replacement. Ask for exclusions and optional items to be identified separately.
Access, timing and occupied properties
Give the team details about the property before discussing a programme. A shared access, garden room, overhead obstruction or limited parking can affect how the work is organised. Mention neighbouring roofs and any other trades due to attend. The more accurately access is described, the more useful the initial conversation will be.
Ask how the proposed sequence deals with removing and replacing the existing covering, how weather-related changes will be communicated and what access to the property is needed. Agree the intended start arrangements and how updates will be provided. We do not publish a fixed installation duration because the scope and circumstances vary between projects.
Older buildings and changes to the roof
If your property is listed or you have been told it is in a conservation area, mention this at the enquiry stage. For major reslating, Historic Environment Scotland advises checking with the planning authority about the work and proposed materials. Its slate roof guidance explains why retaining the roof’s character matters.
Keep any existing drawings, approvals or conservation advice with your project documents. Do not assume that a recommendation about one property applies to another. Confirm the relevant requirements for the actual proposal with the local authority before committing to changes. This page does not determine the permissions or building standards requirements for your individual roof.
Compare quotations and request a new roof discussion
Compare the written scope as well as the total. Check that proposals refer to the same materials and extent of work, and ask how variations would be agreed. Where a warranty is offered, request its written terms, provider, coverage and exclusions. No blanket warranty length or product lifespan is promised on this page.
Perth Roofers accepts enquiries from Perth and the Perthshire service area, including Scone, Crieff, Auchterarder, Blairgowrie and Pitlochry. Use the free quote enquiry form or call 07782 336394. For a garage or extension roof, our flat roofing service page may be the more relevant starting point.
Tell us about your Perthshire property
Start with your postcode and a brief description of the work. Contact Perth Roofers to discuss the next step.
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