What Counts as a Roofing Emergency?
Not every roof problem needs emergency callout. Here's when to call us immediately versus waiting for a normal appointment:
Call Us Now If:
- Storm has removed significant tiles leaving roof exposed
- Water is actively pouring into your property
- Chimney stack has collapsed or is leaning dangerously
- Tree or debris has crashed through your roof
- Structural damage makes your home unsafe
- Flat roof membrane has blown off completely
Can Usually Wait Until Normal Hours:
- A few tiles have slipped but roof is still weathertight
- Small leak contained by bucket
- Ridge tiles loose but still in place
- Guttering blocked or damaged
If you're unsure, call us anyway. We'll assess the situation over the phone and advise honestly whether you need immediate attendance.
Our Emergency Response
Immediate Action
When you call with an emergency, we aim to reach you within hours, not days. Our team covers all of Bude, with roofers strategically located to minimise travel times.
Make Safe
The first priority is stopping further damage. This might mean temporary tarpaulin covers, emergency boarding, or removing dangerous debris. We carry emergency materials on our vehicles at all times.
Secure Property
If your roof has been breached, we ensure your property is secure before leaving. This includes boarding up openings if needed and ensuring the temporary repairs will withstand weather until permanent work is done.
Assessment and Quote
Once the emergency is contained, we assess the full extent of damage and provide a quote for permanent repairs. If the damage is extensive, we can also advise on insurance claims.
Permanent Repair
We schedule permanent repairs at your convenience, usually within days of the emergency callout. There's no obligation to use us for follow-up work, but most customers appreciate dealing with the same team throughout.
Storm Damage in Bude
Living in Bude means accepting that storms are part of life. Atlantic weather systems regularly bring destructive winds, especially to coastal and exposed areas. After major storms, we prioritise calls in order of severity.
If you're calling after a named storm and we're experiencing high call volumes, we'll give you an honest assessment of response times and advise on any interim measures you can safely take yourself.
Insurance Claims Support
Storm damage is usually covered by buildings insurance. We provide:
- Detailed written reports documenting damage
- Photographs of affected areas
- Itemised quotes suitable for insurance submission
- Direct liaison with loss adjusters if needed
Emergency Callout Charges
We charge a callout fee for out-of-hours emergencies, which covers our travel and the first hour on site. This fee is clearly stated when you call – no surprises. If we proceed with repair work, the callout fee is deducted from the final bill.
During normal working hours (Mon-Sat 7am-7pm), there's no callout charge – you pay only for work completed.