What is the Competent Roofer Scheme

As with many industries and trades, there are always a select few that try to game the system and cheat people out of their hard earned cash and the roofing trade is certainly no different.

To combat the rising number of cowboys in the industry, the Competent Roofer Scheme was formed, find out all you need to know about it and why, if you’re a roofer, you should join up.

What is the Competent Roofer Scheme?

The Competent Roofer Scheme or CRS for short is derived from the government’s Competent Person Scheme and is specifically aimed at tradesmen in the roofing industry.

It was originally setup by the National Federation of roofing contractors as they wanted a scheme that would allow members of the public to immediately recognise tradesmen in the roofing industry that always worked to a meticulous high standard and ensure all they’re work meets building regulations standards.

By law, if you are replacing more than 50% of your roof covering you have to notify your local building control office to ensure it meets building regulations standards at which point it will then be certificated.

Members of the Competent Roofer scheme can self-certificate their work, meaning much less stress and hassle trying to liaise with these bodies yourself.

How Did the Competent Roofer Scheme Come About?

The roofing industry has seen rapid changes, and for years, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) has been concerned about declining standards due to “cowboy” builders.

In November 2010, during the North West Roofing Training Group’s Annual General Meeting, the issue was addressed. Despite a downturn in work, members agreed that high roofing standards should be maintained and even improved.

The NFRC’s CEO at the time, Ray Norwood, introduced the idea of the Competent Roofer Scheme (CRS). Feedback from members confirmed the urgent need for such a program to raise industry standards and thus it was born.

What Property Owners Can Expect from a Competent Roofer Member

Homeowners enjoy several benefits when choosing a Competent Roofer Member. They save time on building regulations and money on inspections, as the roofer handles compliance directly and can self-certificate their work.

Additionally, you can also trust that all work meets required standards set out in the building regulations, ensuring peace of mind.

How can you Tell if a Roofer is Part of the Competent Roofer Scheme?

When it comes to hiring a roofer, it’s crucial to ensure they’re properly qualified and know what they are doing and this is where the Competent Roofer Scheme comes into play as it confirms that your tradesman is capable of the high standards set by the scheme.

To ensure they are who they say they are, follow the steps below:

• Check for a Competent Roofer Logo or Badge: Only roofers who are part of the Competent Roofer Scheme can legally display the scheme’s logo on their website, business cards, or vans
• Request Proof of Membership: Ask the roofer to provide evidence of their membership in the Competent Roofer Scheme, such as a certificate or membership number
• Check They’re Listing the Website: Once joined up the roofer will be listed on the official Competent Roofer Scheme’s website and you can search they’re name of membership number on the website
• Correct Practice: Propper, reputable tradesmen will notify your local authority about certain roofing work (like roof replacements) to ensure compliance with building regulations. All work carried out should be to regulation standards
• Insurance and Guarantees: Roofers who are part of the scheme should have public liability insurance. This protects both you and the roofer in case of accidents or damage during the job.
• Regular Checks: Any and all members of the scheme are subject to regular checks and inspections of their work, so will ensure they do everything absolutely by the book, so all of their work should be top standard all of the time.

What Does the Competent Roofer Scheme Cover?

The Competent Roofer Scheme covers a wide range of roofing work, including repairs and installations for both flat and pitched roofs. It applies to domestic, commercial, and industrial properties.

The scheme also includes repairs or replacements of roof timbers (excluding trusses), insulation, flashing, guttering, eaves, verge work, and the installation of roof windows (excluding structural changes to fit them).

To confirm exactly what is and is not covered, these are as follows:

What’s Covered by the Competent Roofer Scheme

• Roof structure repairs – Like-for-like replacement of rotten joists and rafters (excluding trusses)
• Adding insulation to the roof area
• Installing battens and counter battens as needed
• Boarding or sheeting for pitched roofs
• Decking for flat roofs, including steel decking for commercial and industrial properties
• Guttering, flashing, re-pointing, and work on eaves and verges
• Installing roof lights (without structural changes), between joists or rafters

What’s Not Covered by the Competent Roofer Scheme

• Structural glazed roofs
• Solar PV installations
• Property extensions
• Any structural work
• Changes that significantly affect the roof’s load
• For these jobs, you’ll need an approved inspector or structural engineer

What Happens When a Roofing Job Is Completed?

Once a job is finished, the Competent Roofer or registered company provides a written statement confirming the work meets current building regulations.

This eliminates the need for the homeowner to arrange a Building Inspector and saves between £200 and £400 in inspection fees. The statement is then submitted to the NFRC, who forwards it to the local authority’s Building Control department, who then certify the work.

How Competent Roofer Companies Are Inspected

Roofing companies in the scheme undergo two site audits annually. Minor issues must be fixed within 28 days, while major problems require a follow-up inspection, which may incur a fee. Repeated failures could lead to additional training or loss of membership.

All members receive the ‘Competent Roofer Guide to Building Regulations’, which can be downloaded from the NFRC website. The NFRC CEO has emphasised that the scheme helps maintain and improve roofing standards, reducing the impact of unqualified roofers.

This initiative benefits both the roofing industry and homeowners. While most building work can be inspected visually, roofing issues often remain hidden until bad weather reveals leaks or damage. If a roofer is unqualified, the damage becomes apparent only after the work has failed, leading to costly repairs.

Although the scheme won’t eliminate rogue roofers entirely, it will help reduce their presence and improve industry standards. Hopefully, similar schemes will be adopted across other trades soon!

To learn more about the Competent Roofer scheme and find a registered roofer for your project, visit their website here.