Start with what you can see
Make notes from a safe position. The purpose is to give a roofer a useful starting point, not to diagnose the structure yourself.
- Where the symptom appears indoors and outdoors
- Storm damage, missing tiles or damaged flashing
- Whether temporary protection is needed
What a written proposal should cover
Ask providers to explain the work in the same level of detail. A cheaper price can reflect a narrower scope.
- A safe inspection and explanation of the fault
- Repair of affected tiles, flashing or junctions
- Photographs, waste removal and any return visit
Questions worth asking
- Can you show the defect and explain the proposed fix?
- Is a temporary repair or scaffold required?
- What would trigger a wider repair?
Cost and comparison
The defect, roof height, access and whether scaffolding is needed can matter more than the size of the visible stain.