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Choosing · Detail

Checking references properly

A reference is only useful if you actually call. The companies you want are happy to share addresses — and the ones you do not want, very quickly are not.
5 min leestijd·Onafhankelijke informatie

Short answer

Ask the company for two or three recent customer references in your region. Call them, ask short, specific questions about how the work has held up, and — if you can — visit one in person. Twenty minutes on a doorstep beats an hour of marketing.

How to ask for them

Ask at the quoting stage, not after signing. Phrase it as a normal part of comparing companies, not a test. A solid company will offer addresses, dates and a way to contact the customer without you having to push.

Questions to ask the customer

  • Did the install happen on the date that was promised?
  • Were there any extra costs that were not in the original quote?
  • How did the company handle the permit and the council?
  • Has there been any leakage, draught or condensation since?
  • How quickly did the company respond when something was reported?
  • Would you use them again if you were doing it tomorrow?

What to look for on a visit

  • Lead apron. Tight to the tiles, no lifting at the corners, no obvious patching.
  • Cladding joints. Even gaps, no warping, no visible discoloration where panels meet.
  • Frames and seals. Sealant intact, no gaps at the corners, glass not condensed between panes.
  • Interior corners. No hairline cracks, no shadow stains from cold spots.
  • Roof tiles around the dormer. Cut cleanly, sitting flat, no temporary slates.

Reference checklist

Checklist

Use this before deciding

  1. 01At least two references provided without resistance.
  2. 02At least one job older than three years.
  3. 03One reference call completed by phone.
  4. 04One reference visited in person if possible.
  5. 05Same questions asked of every reference.
  6. 06Answers documented in writing for your own decision file.

FAQ

FAQ

Veelgestelde vragen

01Should I always visit a finished dormer in person?
Yes, if you can. A photo only tells you the company can take a good photo. Twenty minutes at a real address tells you more than an hour at the showroom.
02How many references is enough?
Two recent ones is the minimum. Three from different years gives you a sense of how their work ages.
03What if the company refuses to share references?
Politely thank them and move on. Privacy is not a valid reason — they can ask their own customers for permission first.
Conclusie
References are the cheapest, fastest insurance you can buy when choosing a dormer company. The companies you should hire know that — which is exactly why they share them.