They say never meet celebrities. You probably shouldn’t trust them with your roof either. In a scandal that proves the importance of a job well done, former Emmerdale star Kirk Smith has left a friend’s house “uninhabitable” after installing a roof that failed to meet industry standards.

Off-screen drama

Well-known as trucker Pete Collins in the popular British TV series, Kirk Smith went on to establish a roofing company called 5KC Ltd following his TV days. After father-of-two Peter Hallwood had the roof of his family home in Runcorn severely damaged during a winter storm, he enlisted 5KC Ltd to carry out the repair work.

The bill came to roughly £5,000. However, on completion the roof had severe leaks and left the house unfit for habitation. Hallwood was then forced to pay another company to repair the damage and also took 5KC Ltd to small claims court.

“I’ve known Kirk as a family friend and he has done work for me before so we trusted him,” said Collins in an interview with the Liverpool Echo. “He said he wouldn’t use scaffolding, which he had quoted me for, or the internal work. He said he would cut back and because I was a friend he would do it for £5,000.”

The importance of a quality roof

While Collins was able to claim back almost £9,000 plus £900 in costs from 5KC Ltd, the experience highlights the importance of hiring the right company for the job. While it’s possible to take shortcuts on bathroom tiles, scrimp on flooring materials or save money with a DIY paint-job, roofing is something that should never compromise on quality.

After all, a roof protects a building from the elements and ensures your home is safe, stable and most importantly, habitable. Without a quality roof you’re not only jeopardising the quality and safety of your home but also its resale value which can be a huge blow when your property hits the market.

How to choose a reputable company

A roof is the crown of any home which means it’s important to find a company you trust. Browsing the company website and reading testimonials is a great way to get a feel for what a company offers. You can also check out case studies which often feature photographs and comments from previous clients.

On top of that, consider the official accreditations and endorsements from organisations such as Confederation of Roofing Contractors (CORC), Federation of Master Builders (FMB), TrustMark, Safe Contractors Scheme and The Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Take things one step further and look at Google reviews, Facebook and Trustpilot. Of course, getting in touch with the company via phone or email and discussing your project is also important. This will give you a chance to gauge their level of knowledge, professionalism and customer service.

Qualified, experience roofers

Enlisting the help of a reputable company that’s qualified, experienced and committed to a job well done is the absolute best way to ensure your roof not only meets, but exceeds industry standards.  That’s exactly what we offer at DPR Roofing in Huddersfield.

Our domestic roofing services cover everything from new roof installations to simple roof repairs. Whatever the case, we make sure your roof will stand the test of time – both with its appearance and performance.