Roofline Roundup

 Have installation standards in roofline slipped? There are no statistics. At least roofline installers have not been in the news. Window and conservatory installers however have hogged the headlines. A year ago Which?, the consumer organisation, reported high levels of dissatisfaction with double glazing firms’ installations. Then the Government cited 185,000 consumer complaints about conservatory installations in a single year. The figures almost certainly exaggerate the problem in windows and conservatories, but few would argue against the need to improve best practice in roofline.

There have never been so many issues and challenges for the roofline industry. Years of underinvestment, in products, customer support and marketing by brand leaders have left the old guard open to criticism. They promoted products as commodities, left installers to fend for themselves, and focused on price to fend off suppliers who threatened them.

Stockists depend on roofline manufacturers to develop the market, so they and installers can prosper. But the gap between what installers want and what they get has never been wider. Newer brands are coming up with the answers.

In this column we’ll be asking stockists and installers about the problems and issues that concern them. Starting next month, we’ll provide practical tips and comment on best practice in installation. Speaking personally, I started as a time served carpenter, and trained carpenters and joiners for the building trade. Best practice is a mission with me. I will also draw on Vince Richardson’s expertise. He is Everwhite’s Technical Director. And we’ll talk to stockists and installers about a professional approach to roofline sales and marketing. It won’t be one-way traffic. We will be listening too. Our aim is to take a lead by raising the standard in roofline.

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