By Charlie the Roofer for Roofline · Published · Checked against the sources listed below
On 15 October 2026, North East Lincolnshire Council's Trading Standards officers warned residents not to do business on the doorstep after reports of rogue traders cold calling in the Humberston area. Roofing is one of the services these callers commonly offer. If someone knocks saying your roof needs urgent work, agree to nothing and get quotes from roofers you chose.
What North East Lincolnshire Council said
On 15 October 2026, North East Lincolnshire Council's Trading Standards officers warned people not to do business on their doorstep. The warning followed recent reports of rogue traders cold calling in the Humberston area, as residents start to think about home improvements for the autumn.
The council describes rogue traders as people who appear to be qualified tradespeople and offer to do work at your home. It lists roofing among the services they commonly offer, alongside general building work, gardening, repairs and maintenance, and driveway resurfacing.
The warning signs
The council says rogue traders may pressure you into having work done straight away by suggesting that urgent repairs are needed. Other signs it lists are:
- a request for a large payment up front
- no written quote
- no physical business address.
With a roof, the pitch often starts with a loose tile or a blocked gutter that you cannot see from the ground. Our advice on doorstep roofers covers that approach in more detail. A cold caller has no reason to be on your roof or in your loft, so keep them off both.
What to do if you need roof work
Trading Standards advises you to:
- get several quotes from traders known to you, your family or friends
- not answer the door to traders you do not know or have not asked to visit
- put up a notice to deter cold callers
- ask to see ID or credentials when a contractor you booked arrives.
Roof jobs produce waste such as old tiles, felt and battens. The council reminds residents that if rubbish is fly tipped by someone not allowed to carry it, the householder is fined. Ask for a waste carrier licence and check the number on the Environment Agency's public register, or call 0300 065 3000. Get a receipt, and pay by card so the payment can be traced.
Autumn is a sensible time to check your roof from the ground. Our guide to preparing a roof for winter lists what to look for.
How to report a cold caller, and the safe next step
- Citizens Advice consumer helpline, 0808 223 1133, to report a cold caller, as the council advises.
- Humberside Police, 101, if you are approached on your doorstep and have concerns or feel threatened.
If a caller has told you your roof needs work, ask a roofer you chose yourself to take a look. Roofline is based in Barnsley and covers Yorkshire. Our inspections are free, we send you photos of what we find, and our roof repair quotes are free and itemised. Send a photo on WhatsApp to 07413 797731, or book a free inspection through our contact page.
Send us a photo on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we think it is and whether it needs a visit. Quotes are free and itemised.
Sources
- North East Lincolnshire Council: Rogue traders in the area, stay vigilant (15 October 2026)
- Environment Agency: public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers
General information about roofing in England, checked against the sources above when published. It is not a substitute for advice about your own roof.
