Sky Guard versus a typical local roofer.
Twelve honest comparisons across the things that actually decide whether a flat roof job goes well or goes sideways. We are not the cheapest. The right-hand column is the trade-off.
- QuestionWho does the surveySky Guard
Chris — the owner. Fifteen years on roofs.
✕Typical rooferA salesperson on commission, or a junior estimator.
Why it matters: Commission-based surveys end in upsells. The person quoting should be the person installing.
- QuestionHow long the survey takesSky Guard
30-45 minutes on site, proper inspection.
✕Typical roofer5-10 minutes, measuring tape and a clipboard.
- QuestionQuote formatSky Guard
Written, itemised. System named. Build-up detailed. Timeline. What is and is not included.
✕Typical rooferVerbal estimate. Or a hand-written total on a scrap of paper.
Why it matters: A verbal quote is not a quote — it is a statement of hope. There is no record to hold anyone to.
- QuestionMembrane warrantySky Guard
20 years, manufacturer-backed, registered in your name.
✕Typical roofer5-10 years if any, often non-transferable.
Why it matters: Manufacturer warranties are only available to accredited installers. The shorter the warranty, the less the manufacturer trusts the fitter.
- QuestionWorkmanship guaranteeSky Guard
20 years, in writing, transferable if you sell.
✕Typical roofer"I guarantee my work" — verbal. Or 12 months in writing.
Why it matters: Verbal guarantees are worth nothing in five years when the original installer has changed phone numbers.
- QuestionManufacturer systems trained onSky Guard
Seven: Sika, Renolit, IKO, Fatra, Alwitra, Icopal, Protan.
✕Typical rooferOne — or none. Often just whatever the merchant had in stock.
Why it matters: Different roofs suit different systems. A roofer tied to one product fits that one product whether it is right for your roof or not.
- QuestionWill they fit GRP fibreglass?Sky Guard
No. We will tell you why on the survey.
✕Typical rooferYes — it is fast to install and cheap to buy. Bread and butter.
Why it matters: GRP cracks at the seams within 10-15 years. It is the favourite product of installers who want to be in and out before failure shows.
- QuestionResponse time to your enquirySky Guard
Survey within 2-7 working days. Emergencies often same-day.
✕Typical rooferA few days. Or a week. Or a missed callback you have to chase.
- QuestionPublic liability insuranceSky Guard
£10 million cover. Certificate on request.
✕Typical rooferSometimes uninsured. Often £1m cover that does not match the job.
Why it matters: If a slipped tile injures someone, your insurer will check the roofer's policy. £1m is below what most commercial sites require.
- QuestionIndependent verificationSky Guard
5.0★ on Google, every review verifiable. Award-winning at New College Oxford 2023.
✕Typical rooferCherry-picked Facebook screenshots. Or no online presence.
Why it matters: Google reviews can be looked up and verified. A roofer with no Google presence has either been trading 6 months or has reviews they do not want indexed.
- QuestionPricingSky Guard
Published ranges by job type. Written itemised quote. No deposits on domestic.
✕Typical roofer"Give me a ring for a quote." Cash upfront often expected.
Why it matters: A trade that refuses to publish ranges does so because the numbers move per customer — not the most reassuring policy.
- QuestionIf something fails in year 7Sky Guard
Ring the same number you rang at the start. We come back under guarantee.
✕Typical rooferPhone disconnected. Business name changed. Original installer untraceable.
Why it matters: Most "twenty-year guarantee" verbal promises survive 18 months. Ours is in writing for a reason.
We are not the cheapest, and we will not pretend to be.
If you want the cheapest possible price on a flat roof, there is always someone willing to undercut us. We have lost jobs that way and we will lose more. That is fine.
What we will not do is install a system we know will fail, paper over a roof that needs replacing, or quote a price we cannot stand behind in five years. We are not the cheapest because that approach costs more — in materials, in training, in time on site, in the warranty paperwork we actually honour.
If the comparison above reads like your last roofer was the right-hand column, you already know what we are talking about. Ring us and we will be straight with you about whether the existing roof can be repaired or whether it is time to start again.
Ready for a roof that actually lasts?
Free survey, no hard sell, transparent pricing. Speak to a real roofer in 30 seconds.