How to Choose a Roofer in Cork (Without Getting Scammed)

There’s no register you can check to confirm a roofer is any good, no licence they’re legally required to hold. That’s exactly why Cork sees its share of door-knock “we noticed your roof” jobs that take a deposit and vanish, or cash-only fixes that fail the next winter. Choosing the right roofer is mostly about knowing which questions to ask before any money changes hands.

I’m Michael Casey, founder of Keystone Roofing. After 17 years on Cork roofs I’ve re-done plenty of work that went wrong the first time. Here’s the checklist I’d give my own family.

Is the roofer insured and registered?

This is non-negotiable. Ask to see current public-liability insurance before work starts — a roof is high-risk work, and if an uninsured worker is hurt on your property or your home is damaged, you can be exposed. A real roofing business hands over the policy number and company registration without hesitation; Keystone is registered in Ireland (CRO 752205) and carries €6.5M public liability with AXA. Anyone who dodges this question has answered it.

Can you verify their reputation independently?

A website testimonial proves nothing — anyone can type one. Check independent platforms you can’t edit: Google reviews and Trustpilot, ideally with photos and recent dates. Look for how a company responds to the odd critical review, not just the five-star ones. Be wary of a brand-new profile with a sudden burst of reviews. Our own work is on our testimonials page and live on Google and Trustpilot for anyone to read.

Will you get a written, itemised quote?

Insist on a written quote that itemises materials, labour, scaffolding, waste and scope — not a number scribbled on the back of a card. A phone estimate without anyone looking at the roof is a finger in the air, not a quote. A proper quote lets you compare like with like and protects you if “extras” appear later. For what a good quote should contain line by line, see our guide to what a good roofing quote includes.

Do they guarantee the work in writing?

Materials usually carry a manufacturer warranty, but the workmanship guarantee is the one that matters most — bad fitting fails long before good materials do. Ask how long the workmanship is guaranteed and get it in writing on completion. Every Keystone job carries a written 20-year workmanship guarantee. Keep the certificate with your home insurance documents.

What are the red flags?

Some patterns come up again and again on the jobs we’re called in to rescue. Treat these as reasons to walk away:

• Cash-only, with no invoice, paperwork or company name.
• Pressure to decide today, or a “today only” price.
• A large deposit demanded up front (a deposit to secure materials is normal; paying for the whole job before it starts is not).
• Door-knock offers that “just noticed” a problem on your roof.
• No fixed address, or a mobile number only.

Honest pricing and clear paperwork are the whole point of a registered contractor — see our roofing contractors Cork page for how we work.