Neighbours Garage Roof "Damaged"

Maverick192

I've just had my leaking garage flat roof replaced and re-felted. The garage is joined to next door's garage by about 50% of it's length.

The neighbours have been complaining that my builders were not taking care to stay on my side of the property, and seem concerned that their side might no longer be weather proof (presumably due to damage incurred by the builders walking on the other side).

When hiring the builders, I took care to explain to them that the roof of the garage block is very old and certainly nearing the end of it's useful life (my side had lost it's remaining waterproofing in spectacular fashion in the last heavy rain we had) and that they should take care not to damage next doors in anyway.

I don't want to escalate the dispute with my neighbour, so what should I suggest if they come back to me demanding more action? Refer them to the builders to make a claim against them? Or should I get more involved than that?

Thanks in advance

Hector-The-Inspector_2

seem concerned that their side might no longer be weather proof

So their side might be alright? OK maybe the builders should'nt have stood on their side, but standing on it woulden't cause damage unless their roof is knackered to begin with.

Hose the [STRIKE]neighbours [/STRIKE]down! oops, I meant the roof and see if it leaks, do it now, if you don't and it leaks in two years you'll definately get the blame for it.

ormus

refer them to your builders. they should have insurance against this sort of problem.
warn your neighbours that any successfull claim will be modified by betterment. ie if the roof was decrepit.

Maverick192

I wondered about the "betterment" thing as the roof (from the outside) looks marginally better than mine did (and mine was in an absolutely terrible state).

The neighbour's anxiousness was, I'm sure, due to knowing the roof is on it's last legs anyway. I think that knowing that they won't get a "free" roof out if it will probably be enough to settle the debate.

Thanks for the advice.

mikey72

The contractor shoudn't even have walked on their roof, and you employed the contractors, so you are liable, but could offset it against the builders insurance. Be careful, as whoever he employs to fix his roof with walk all over your new one if you don't watch them.

dacouch

I personally would find it suspiciious that you had your roof repaired due to by the sounds of it coming to the end of its life. Coindidently their roof is damaged by your builders, could it not be that their roof is also at the end of its life and needs replacing anyway.

I would be inclined to ask your builders to give their opinion on the neighboors roof or better still a sperate roofing company

Maverick192

dacouch wrote: »

I personally would find it suspiciious that you had your roof repaired due to by the sounds of it coming to the end of its life. Coindidently their roof is damaged by your builders, could it not be that their roof is also at the end of its life and needs replacing anyway.

I would be inclined to ask your builders to give their opinion on the neighboors roof or better still a sperate roofing company

You're right, and the builders (all three that quoted) noted that both roofs (at least from the oustide on the neighbours half) looked in a terrible state (bowed and sagging between the beams with huge puddles collecting in the dips).

I was wondering what would happen if the neighbour tries to get his roof replaced for "free" by claiming that my builders damaged it by walking on it. Or if it springs a leak in 3 months and then they try to blame my builders.

It doesn't seem fair that they would attempt this, as the roof almost certainly needs replacing due to it's age anyway, although it's feasible (but not provable) that walking on the roof was the straw that broke the camels back.

dacouch

For them to have a legitimate claim against you or the builders they would have to prove that you are "Legally Liable".

Assuming they put a claim in the Insurers would send a loss adjuster out, they are forever dealing with claims where people claim for "storm damage" to their roof. What in reality often happens is the roof is knackered due to its age and when you get heavy rain or the wind blowing the rain in a certain direction the roof leaks. They can spot a roof that has been genuinely damaged by say the builders or is actually just worn out due to age.

I'm surprised the builders actually stepped on the roof, most of the roofers I know would spot a dodgy roof in these circumstances. They would point it out and either avoid walking on it or get someone to sign some kind of disclaimer.

I suspect the roof was already knackered, I say this because if you think about it roofers walking on roof tiles all day and they don't normally cause any damage as a roof can normally support them and they know how to stand on tiles.

I would be inclined to either have a word with the builder or just tell the neighboor to send any correspondence to the builder

missile

Did you ask neighbour if he wanted his side done at the same time and share the cost?

steveroofer

As a roofing contractor I would want to be notified of the complaint as soon as possible, I would wont to arrange for a visit to the garage and I would take extensive photos of the roof from the outside or the inside, my men would have already taken photos from the outside anyhow, we find that we take hundreds of photos of all of our flat roofs mainly for our archives but also as proof of what was carried out and the conditions of the surrounding properties roofs. Before we started the work we would have warned you of this situation as its not unusual. Depending on what’s found after the site survey depends on the course of action to be taken, if douse sound like the roof is not in a good condition and although the builders should not have walked on the roof you will find that any loss adjuster will find it hard work to assess blame