Dart Roofing
Trade Secrets, Nigel Bryant of Dart Roofing
Name: Nigel Bryant of Dart Roofing
What do you do? All sorts of new roofing, repairs and maintenance. This can include tiling, slating, flat roofing, re-roofing and general repairs such as to fascia boards and soffits. We’ll also repair and clean gutters and will happily do any size of job. Indeed, no job is too small for us. Such jobs often lead onto larger projects.
How many staff do you have? It’s mainly me and just one apprentice but I call upon other tradesmen when required.How long have you been a roofer? I first began my apprenticeship 29 years ago in Plymouth, working with my father. I then set up on my own in Dartmouth two years later and haven’t looked back. I was born and bred in Dartmouth and have stayed around the area ever since.
Where do you work? Mostly around South Hams although, being based in Stoke Fleming, I do most work in Dartmouth, Totnes and surrounding villages. There are very few roofers with our extensive experience in the area especially this side of the Dart.
What type of roofs do you mostly work on? I regularly work on large country or historic houses, barn conversions, new builds and also I work for holiday letting agents looking after their holiday lets and e.g. maintenance of the new houses at Dart Marina. Although the maintenance work is important, it’s only about 10% of our time. The rest is either roofs on new builds or stripping roofs and re-slating. With the type of properties locally and the fact that many houses are often in weather-exposed positions, we find we do a lot of re-slating or repairs. We probably do two ‘roof strips and re-slates’ every month.
What’s special about Dart Roofing? Firstly we turn up when asked, be it for a quote or to do a job. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work and I can advise on the best type of roof and materials to use. I offer a good price and customers can be confident of a job well done. We have done many roofs around the town and have built a reputation for doing the work properly. Unlike some contractors, I offer a 10-year guarantee on flat roofs or re-slating. Having been the main specialist roofing contractor in Dartmouth, I am well used to the vagaries and idiosyncrasies of Dartmouth’s roofs.
How long should a good roof last? A good flat roof should be good for 25 years, a re-slate, using natural slates, should last 50 years.
Do you only work on roofs? No, we’ll also do chimney work – re-pointing and lead work especially the top flashings (these often need repairing or replacing) and we will fit Velux windows. Also, it’s increasingly important around Dartmouth to supply and fix seagull repellents. Nowadays, there are many products to prevent seagulls nesting or fouling roofs and chimneys. It’s a big problem as the gull population has increased over the years because of the rubbish left out in bin-liners. It’s easier for seagulls to come into town than going out to sea looking for fish.
Do you love being a roofer? I love being outdoors. I work hard though, 6 days a week – but I like seeing a good job done. A good roof is important for a house’s appearance let alone the practical benefits. Some roofs are very simple, but it requires skilled work in making sure complicated roof valleys and slate mitres are precise and of the necessary quality, something that’s especially important around the Dart.
What don’t you like about working in Dartmouth? The hills and narrow streets!
What’s good? It’s an old town, I don’t know how many roofs I’ve worked on but there’s always another one to be done. There’s no shortage of roofing work around here!
Do you look after your own roof? Yes, I clean my own gullies and gutters regularly – my partner makes sure of that!
First Published September 2008 By The Dart