What should I ask to see if a roofer says my roof is beyond repair?

The short answer

Ask to see the defects, the fixings and the underlay. Specifically: photographs of failures in more than one location, an image of a recovered nail and slate, the underlay where a covering was lifted, and an explanation of why a repair in that condition would not last. Those four things make the case checkable.

What could this mean?

A well-founded conclusion holds up under questioning. A weak one usually returns to age, general appearance or urgency instead of specifics.

What this evidence cannot tell you

Even a well-evidenced case for renewal is based on sampled areas. Nobody can establish the condition of every fixing and every metre of underlay without stripping, which is why a renewal recommendation should describe what was sampled and where.

What should you be shown before agreeing to the work?

Photographs of failures in more than one location
A recovered fixing and covering, photographed
The underlay condition where coverings were lifted
An explanation of why repair would not hold
Whether partial renewal was considered

Not every job needs every item. The point is that whatever is recommended should be supported by evidence you can see and a scope you can read.

Related services

What should you do next?

Take the evidence away and get a second assessment before committing to work of this size.

Reviewed by Aaron, Owner, Elite Roofing Services Cumbria Ltd — last reviewed 17 September 2026.

More in Understanding Roof Evidence

Back to Understanding Roof Evidence