Frequently Asked Questions

We cover North London and Hertfordshire, including Golders Green, Hendon, Barnet, Finchley, Highgate, Muswell Hill, Wood Green, Edgware, Hampstead, Fulham, Mill Hill, Islington, Kilburn, St John’s Wood, Maida Vale, Camden, Kentish Town, Crouch End, Totteridge, Whetstone, and into Hertfordshire covering Potters Bar, Borehamwood, Elstree, Radlett, Bushey, and Watford. If you’re unsure whether we cover your area, give us a call and we’ll be happy to discuss.

Simply call us on 07809 442746 or email hjr.roofing@hotmail.com. We’ll arrange a free, no-obligation site survey at a time that suits you, inspect the roof thoroughly, and provide a detailed written quotation. There’s no pressure and no hidden costs.

Yes. HJR Roofing carries comprehensive public liability insurance and employer’s liability insurance. We’re happy to provide copies of our insurance certificates on request before any work begins.

We are a Which? Trusted Trader — vetted and endorsed by one of the UK’s most respected consumer organisations. We’re also rated 5 stars on Checkatrade and Nextdoor. John, our founder, has over 25 years of hands-on roofing experience and the team stays up to date with industry best practice and Building Regulations.

Yes. All our roofing work comes with a written workmanship guarantee. The length of the guarantee depends on the type of work — for example, a new roof installation typically carries a 10–20 year guarantee, while many of the materials we use come with separate manufacturer warranties. We’ll explain all guarantee terms clearly before work starts.

The cost of a new roof in London depends on the size of your property, the type of tiles or slates chosen, and the complexity of the roof. As a rough guide, a typical terraced house re-roof in North London ranges from £5,000 to £12,000, while a semi-detached property is usually £8,000 to £18,000. Detached homes and listed properties can be higher depending on specifications. We provide free, detailed quotations so you know exactly what’s included — no hidden costs.

Minor repairs such as replacing a few slipped tiles typically start from around £150–£400. More extensive repairs like lead flashing replacement, valley gutter repairs, or ridge tile re-bedding usually range from £400 to £2,000 depending on the scope. Emergency callout repairs may carry an additional charge. We always provide a clear quote before starting any work.

For smaller repair jobs, no deposit is required — you pay on completion. For larger projects like new roof installations, we may ask for a small deposit to cover material costs, with the balance due on satisfactory completion. Full payment terms are always agreed in writing before work begins.

Yes. If your roof has been damaged by storms, falling trees, or other insured events, we can liaise directly with your insurance company on your behalf. We’ll provide all the documentation, photographs, and quotations your insurer needs to process your claim.

Yes, we provide 24/7 emergency response for urgent roofing issues including storm damage, severe leaks, and structural concerns. If you have an emergency, call us on 07809 442746 any time — day or night. We aim to respond to emergency calls within a few hours.

For emergency repairs, we aim to attend within a few hours. For non-urgent repairs, we can usually schedule a site visit within 2–3 working days. During busy periods after storms, wait times may be slightly longer, but we’ll always keep you informed.

Place a bucket or container under the leak to catch water and minimise damage to your floors and belongings. If it’s safe to do so, move furniture and valuables away from the affected area. Then call us immediately on 07809 442746. Do not attempt to go onto the roof yourself — it’s dangerous and best left to professionals with the right equipment.

In many cases, localised repairs are perfectly adequate. We’ll always give you an honest assessment during our free survey. If a repair will solve the problem, that’s what we’ll recommend. We’ll only suggest a full replacement when the overall condition of the roof means repairs would be a false economy.

Common warning signs include: damp patches or water stains on your ceilings, daylight visible through the roof from inside the loft, slipped or missing tiles visible from the ground, blocked or overflowing gutters, moss or plant growth on the roof, and sagging or uneven rooflines. If you notice any of these, it’s worth getting a professional inspection before the problem gets worse.

A standard terraced or semi-detached house re-roof typically takes 3–5 working days, weather permitting. Larger or more complex properties — such as detached homes, properties with multiple levels, or roofs with dormers and skylights — may take 5–10 days. We’ll give you a clear timeline at the quotation stage.

In most cases, a like-for-like roof replacement does not require planning permission as it falls under permitted development. However, if you’re changing the shape, height, or materials significantly, or if your property is in a conservation area or is a listed building, you may need permission. We can advise on this during our survey and help you navigate the process if needed.

The best material depends on your property, location, and budget. For London properties, we commonly use natural slate (ideal for Victorian and Edwardian homes), concrete tiles (durable and cost-effective), clay tiles (traditional look with excellent longevity), and synthetic slates (lightweight, sustainable, and increasingly popular). We’ll discuss all options during your free survey and recommend what suits your property best.

Yes. All our roof work is carried out with proper scaffolding to ensure the safety of our team and your property. Scaffolding is included in all our quotations. We use CITB-registered scaffolding contractors and ensure all access complies with current health and safety regulations.

A well-installed roof using quality materials should last 40–80+ years depending on the material. Natural slate can last over 100 years, clay tiles typically last 60–100 years, and concrete tiles around 40–60 years. Flat roofs using modern EPDM or GRP systems generally last 20–30 years. Regular maintenance and prompt repairs help maximise your roof’s lifespan.

We recommend a professional roof inspection at least every two years, or annually if your property is older, surrounded by trees, or has had previous leak issues. Regular inspections catch small problems — a cracked tile, loose flashing, or early moss growth — before they develop into costly repairs. Many of our customers take out an annual maintenance programme so they never have to worry.

A standard HJR maintenance visit covers: a full visual inspection of all roof surfaces, ridge tiles, flashings, valleys, and verges; moss and algae assessment and treatment; re-pointing of any loose ridge or hip mortar; checking tile and slate condition for cracks, slips, and missing units; inspecting lead work around chimneys and dormers; and a written report with photos so you know exactly what was found and what, if anything, needs attention.

Yes — left untreated, moss and lichen retain moisture against tiles and in joints, accelerating freeze-thaw deterioration and eventually causing tiles to crack or lift. Moss can also block gutters and valleys, leading to water ingress. We remove moss mechanically and apply a long-lasting biocide treatment that kills spores and inhibits regrowth for several years.

In almost every case, yes. A maintenance programme costs a fraction of what a single emergency repair or partial re-roof costs. It also keeps your guarantee valid if your roof was recently installed, and gives you documented evidence of care — which can be valuable when selling your property. We offer flexible annual programmes tailored to the age and type of your roof.

We recommend having your gutters cleaned at least once a year, ideally in late autumn after the leaves have fallen. Properties near trees may need cleaning twice a year — in autumn and spring. Blocked gutters can cause water to overflow and damage your walls, fascias, and foundations, so regular maintenance is important.

Look for: water overflowing during rain despite gutters appearing clear, visible cracks, splits, or sagging sections, peeling paint or damp patches on external walls below the gutterline, rust (on metal gutters), and joints that keep leaking even after resealing. If your gutters are old cast iron, replacing them with modern UPVC is often more cost-effective than repeated repairs.

Fascias are the long boards that run along the lower edge of your roof, supporting the bottom row of tiles and holding your gutters. Soffits are the boards tucked underneath the fascia, bridging the gap between the wall and the roofline — they often include ventilation for the roof space. Bargeboards are the boards on the gable end (the triangular side) of your roof. All three protect the edges of your roof structure from weather and pests.

We take great care to minimise disruption. Before starting work, we protect your garden, driveway, and surrounding areas with tarpaulins and sheeting. We clear up at the end of each working day and leave your property clean and tidy on completion. For larger projects, we’ll discuss logistics with you upfront so there are no surprises.

Not necessarily. Most roofing work is carried out externally, so you don’t need to be home for the duration. However, we do recommend being available at the start of the project to discuss any final details, and at the end for a walkthrough of the completed work.

We monitor weather forecasts closely and plan our work accordingly. If your roof is partially stripped, we always have heavy-duty tarpaulins ready to protect your property overnight and during any wet weather. Your home will not be left exposed. We’ll discuss weather contingencies during the planning stage.