How Roofing Guarantees Work — A Guide for Contractors

What Is a Roofing Guarantee?

A roofing guarantee is a formal commitment that the work you carry out will meet an agreed standard for a defined period of time. If defects arise within that period that are attributable to your workmanship or materials, the guarantee provides the homeowner with recourse — either for you to return and fix the issue, or for financial compensation.

Guarantees come in several forms:

• Contractor workmanship guarantee — issued directly by you as the roofing contractor, typically covering your labour for 1–10 years.
• Manufacturer product warranty — issued by the material manufacturer, covering defects in the product itself. Often transferable to the homeowner.
• Scheme-backed guarantee — issued through a third-party accreditation scheme, providing additional protection that remains valid even if the contractor ceases trading.

Why Homeowners Want Guarantees

The roofing industry has a significant trust problem. Many homeowners have had bad experiences or know someone who has. They are spending thousands of pounds on work they cannot fully inspect, on a part of their home they rarely access. A guarantee addresses their two main fears: that the work won't last, and that the contractor will disappear if something goes wrong.

When you can offer a guarantee — particularly one backed by a third party — those objections disappear. You move from being one of several quotes to being the only contractor who has given them complete peace of mind.

The Roofing Protection Scheme's Optional RPS Protection

As a member of the Roofing Protection Scheme, eligible work you carry out can be covered by the RPS's optional RPS Protection up to £20,000, subject to independent inspection and scheme terms. This is not a personal guarantee from you — it is a scheme-backed commitment from the RPS, which means:

• The guarantee remains valid even if your business closes or you retire
• Homeowners have access to an independent dispute resolution process if issues arise
• You are protected from unfair complaints — disputes are handled by a neutral third party
• The guarantee covers poor workmanship and contractor non-completion

For you as a contractor, this is a major selling point. You can tell eligible customers that their job can be backed by up to £20,000 of optional RPS Protection — and that is something no unaccredited competitor can match.

How to Talk About Your Guarantee

Many contractors are reluctant to bring up guarantees because they worry it might open them up to more complaints. In practice, the opposite is true. Contractors who confidently discuss their guarantee close more work, receive fewer disputes, and enjoy better client relationships.

When quoting, say something simple: "All of my work is carried out as an approved member of the Roofing Protection Scheme. That means eligible jobs can be backed by their optional RPS Protection up to £20,000 — so you have complete peace of mind."

Put the guarantee details on your quote document, your invoice, and any written correspondence. This demonstrates professionalism and ensures there is no ambiguity about what is covered.

Practical Tips for Managing Your Guarantee

• Always provide a written job specification before starting work
• Document the work with photos before, during, and after completion
• Keep records of all materials used, including manufacturer batch numbers where relevant
• Issue a completion certificate when the job is finished
• Follow up with clients a week after completion to confirm satisfaction

Becoming an RPS member gives you a structured framework for all of this. Your profile, your guarantee, and your reviews are all managed in one place — making it easy for homeowners to find you, trust you, and recommend you.

Apply to join the Roofing Protection Scheme and start offering eligible customers optional RPS Protection on your roofing work.