Don’t Get Caught Out by Rogue Roofers After Storms, NFRC Warns Homeowners

Homeowners in areas due to be impacted by Storm Austen should be alert to rogue roofers looking to exploit storm damage, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) has warned.

The Met Office has issued an amber wind warning for Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and the Isles of Scilly, with gusts of up to 80mph and building damage possible. A wider yellow warning covers south Wales, the south coast of England, Somerset, Wiltshire, Herefordshire and the South East. Strong gusts are also expected in London.

NFRC warns that unscrupulous traders could target households affected by storm damage once the storm passes.

The risk of scams within roofing is already significant. Suspected roofing scams were the top scam the Citizens Advice Consumer Service saw in the last year, making up 10% of goods or service complaints flagged as scams.

Citizens Advice received 8,985 roofing-related complaints between September 2025 and August 2026, up from 8,136 the previous year. Of these, 2,205 (around a quarter) were suspected scams, most involving doorstep sales tactics.

Check Before You Hire

If they identify damage to their roof, NFRC advises homeowners to:

• Find a roofer through the NFRC directory. Claims of membership on other websites or on the doorstep are not proof.
• Match the details. The company name, address and contact details must match the NFRC directory.
• Never agree to work on the doorstep. Take time, get multiple quotes, and be wary of anyone applying pressure.
• Ask NFRC if unsure. Call 020 7638 7663 or email helpdesk@nfrc.co.uk.

NFRC businesses must hold full insurances and pass site and office inspections before joining and are re-inspected every three years, distinguishing them from those listed on other trade checker websites.

Over a quarter of applicants to NFRC were refused in 2025. If something goes wrong, customers can use NFRC’s free complaints process, and NFRC will then attempt to resolve disputes between the dissatisfied customer and our member business. Participation in the complaints process is mandatory for NFRC businesses.

NFRC Policy and External Affairs Manager, Gray Gibson, said: “Storms can leave people anxious and in a hurry to get repairs done, which is exactly what rogue traders rely on. Homeowners shouldn’t have to guess who to trust. NFRC businesses are inspected, insured and held to recognised standards, with sanctions if they fall short. Find a roofer through our directory, check every detail, and don’t be rushed into a decision.”

Don’t Get Caught Out

Common roofing issues include broken interlocking tiles, wind damaged dry verge, lose flashing and slates, and blocked hoppers and gutters. NFRC has provided images of these faults, along with descriptions, to help homeowners more clearly identify them.

Broken interlocking tile: Not always easy to spot. Inconsistencies in the appearance of the roof are a good clue to finding faults. Broken interlocking tiles can cause water ingress onto the membrane and into the roof space below, especially if not fixed in a timely manner. It is a good habit for the homeowner to look up and be familiar with the condition/general appearance of their roof.
Wind damaged dry verge: Poorly fitted verge units can easily be dislodged during high winds and storms. This can lead to insecure tiling and vermin entering the roof space.  Contractors should always follow the manufacturers fitting instructions.
Lose flashing and slates: Insecure flashings, slates and tiles will lead to water ingress into the roof space and rooms below. Lose slates and tiles can be dangerous as they can fall from the building. Localised roof repairs do not always lead to full roof replacement unless there are regular occurrences.
Rainwater goods – blocked hopper: These can cause a lot of problems at the roofline and down the walls. A good clue to finding an obstruction is the presence of leaves and vegetation growing above the line of the hoppers and the gutters. Regular maintenance of these areas can prevent a lot of problems.
Rainwater goods – blocked gutter: These can cause a lot of problems at the roofline and down the walls. A good clue to finding an obstruction is the presence of vegetation growing above the line of the hoppers and the gutters. Regular maintenance of these areas can prevent a lot of problems.

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