Roofing - Consumer Rights

Kefte

Brief: We have a property that had a leak in the roof so my partner asked a friend at work if they knew any roofers and she gave her partners friend a ring. He firstly gave us a quote of £250 to replace some missing roof tiles. On closer inspection he told my partner we had no felt and made him seem neccessary for the roof therefore my partner agreed to a £4500 job. I didn't find out till a few days later, but immediately I was livid.

This property has been in my family for over a decade and this is the first leaky roof, also it's terraced, and the neighbours don't have any felt but suffer no negative consequences.

I rang up the roofing company who told me the scaffolding was going up as we spoke and materials had been ordered so there was nothing I could do to stop the job going ahead. Plus the labour for the job is booked in [scheduled for 2-3 weeks from now]. Therefore if I choose to not go ahead with the job I'd have to pay the full amount anyway!!!!!

I think this is ridiculous. What can I do? Can I stop the job and just pay for scaffold costs perhaps?

Just another quick question, I know this should be in quotes, but does this price seem about right? Just re-using old tiles, but putting new felt underneath...

maninthestreet

Try to call their bluff by saying that a surveyor is coming to inspect the roof today, and only urgent roof repairs identified by the surveyor will be perfomed in the short term.
They will need to take most, if not all, of the tiles in order to install the felt. No doubt more 'problems' will be found once the job progresses, resulting in even more expense. Once they have the roof off your house, you are at their mercy.

Kefte

Thank-you for replying. [shall try this tactic] What can I do if he insists I pay full costs? Will I need to pay for the materials he doesn't use? -- surely as a roofer he can use these again? Or send them back where he ordered them from?

Felt is generally not that important is it? The roofer seems to have frightened my partner into thinking it is...

HoofeHearted

Here is my experience with roofs.

Main house roof:- Slates: Originally constructed without felt, nailed to battens, with mortar(?) between tiles (underside). Had the slates refitted because off loose, missing slates. Under-slate felt fitted, new battens, slates re-nailed to battens.

Extension Roof: Originally flat with green roofing felt.
Had this changed to a pitched roof (sloping) due to leaks. Under-tile felt fitted, battens and concrete tiles placed on battens.

So in my opinion/experience, the recommendation is to now fit felt (breathable plastic type) under the slates/tiles.

Hope that helps.

Kefte

Thanks. I'm trying to get othr peoples prospective...

It's just I don't want to spend this huge amount of money, and from my understand felt isn't crucial by any means... It's hard to tell from your post whether you think it is? Of course it makes future leaks for a few decades very unlikely if done right.

But, from my understanding some people genuinely don't like felt -- say it makes house ventilation bad. It seems to be an issue of debate. But, if I can save over £4000... and perhaps get the spray foam when I choose otherwise -- anyone any experiences of this product? Also, it seems very much as if I/we are being bullied!

Sorry I'm abit all over/not making too much sense, I have just given birth to my second child only a few weeks ago and finding my bearings....

HoofeHearted

I think it is necessary to have felt under the slates/tiles. I suspect the roofing people will insist on it being fitted so that there is no comeback if/when your roof starts to leak.

It will not affect ventilation. Roof spaces should be vented via the eaves, unless they have been blocked by putting the FibreGlass insulation too close to the eaves.
Also roofers recommend having ventilation tiles in roofs to offer extra ventilation. These pass through a hole made in the felt directly under them.

It is important to use the breathable felt, to avoid a build up of moisture between the felt and the tiles/slates.

I would definitely avoid the spray foam. My next door neighbour took this route instead of having the slates re-fitted. He now has some loose slates. I have heard that the only cure if sprayed foam becomes ineffective is to rip out the slates and throw them away and start again.

Having said all this, £4000+ seems to be a lot of money; but depends on how big your roof is.

And last, it must be your hormones:rotfl:

lagi

A lot of houses were built with out felt. Its a secondary measure. There is no reason for you to have it now if you don't want it. Even if they couldn't guarantee that the tiles they replaced wouldn't leak, for £250 compared to £4500 i would get somebody else in if it did. Sounds like they pushed and got lucky for the business.

Price wise, it sounds like your trying to justify the job being done. If you don't want it, do your utmost to stop the job. They don't sound a good company, get down the c.a.b. sooner the better.

p.s. ditch the partner

beaker141

Have you signed any contract or anything to do the job, anything in writing ?

Could you write to them to tell them you dont want the work doing, leaving the ball firmly in their court as to if they want to pursue you for any costs.

Page 2 of this pdf link has some good illustrations of modern roof covering methods, http://www.insulation.kingspan.com/uk/pdf/k7.pdf . All new roofs now would have a breathable felt applied, which can then eliminate the need for ventilation through the eaves etc.

I had a new roof put on a 3 bed semi for £5700 which included labour and materials, scaffolding was already present and cost £900 which covered all 3 sides of the house.

Prior to the reroof it was original roof from the 1930's without any felt. Never had any problems with it other than its age.

I they do go ahead with the 4k job, I would insist on new tiles going back on - I dont think the tiles themselves cost much, they are also sure to break a few of the ones you have taking them off leaving a mosaic pattern roof !

marybishop

Phone Consumer Direct and ask them what your rights are as regards a cooling off period. Tell them you feel you're being pressured into having work done you're not sure is necessary and see what they suggest.

The_Pedant

When exactly did your partner 'agree' to the job, and when have you queried your ability to cancel with the builders involved?

I ask, as I'm not entirely sure whether this would be covered under "The Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer’s Home or Place of Work etc Regulations 2008". This was introduced to bring the contracts for cold sales calls and scheduled sales calls closer together, by allowing a single contract with the more consumer friendly cold calling rules on cancellations etc. This states that a minimum 7 day cooling off period should be given and that any subsequent cancellation policy should be clearly stated.

There are some exceptions to where this applies (hence my uncertainty), so I'm not sure whether it also applies to building works, or possibly 'repairs'.

Someone better informed and 'in the know' I'm hoping can advise though whether this can be applied in your case (I'm interested too whether it can be applied to building works). Either way, what you are able to do may in part be limited by any services that have already started (such as scaffolding already being put up), and may therefore entail some cost even if you cancelled.

gerardty

I am getting quotes in at present for reslating the roof on my 2 bed terraced house.

A local firm has quoted £3600 to erect scaffolding,remove existing slates (reusing these where applicable), fix new treated timber battens and breathable felt. Renew all flashings and recover roof slopes with salvaged slates and any replacements where needed.

Hope this helps.