Conservatory roof needs replacing, not picked up in building survey

PeteW

Hiya,

We bought our house about a year or so ago and the conservatory roof has leaked from day one. We've tried re-sealing it with sealant repeatedly but it never lasts, so we finally got a couple professional roofers to come give us a quote for repairing it.

And neither of them were too impressed! When they walked into the room they were instantly shocked. The first said it was the "worst work he'd ever seen" and the second called it "an abomination". Basically it's been built really, really badly, the water doesn't run off and isn't supported at all. Both roofers said it needs totally replacing which will cost thousands.

From what our neighbour has said the guy who lived there before us had built it himself just months before they moved out. He was a 'professional' builder apparently - but clearly not a very good one!

We had a building survey done that cost about £1000 I think, which as far as I know, didn't mention anything about the conservatory (I'll check tonight), which is what I'm really annoyed about. From the roofers' reactions any buildings expert should have been able to see there would be a problem.

Do we have any legal options available to us? Perhaps suing the surveyor or the guy who sold us the house? I'm guessing not, but I'm just so annoyed about this. Any chance of at least getting the surveying fee back from the surveyor?

Pete

silvercar

Your first option is to go back to the surveyor with the report from the builders. Bear in mind that there may be an attempt to create work in telling you that the roof needs completely rebuilding. The surveyor will pass the comments onto their professional indemnity insurer if they think you have a claim. The insurer should then deal directly with you to settle any potential claim. At some point an independent assessor will examine your roof to see if it was reasonable that the faults were not spotted by a survey.

bryanb

Did the vendor lie about it? If not no chance with him.

Milliewilly

PeteW wrote: »

Hiya,

We bought our house about a year or so ago and the conservatory roof has leaked from day one. We've tried re-sealing it with sealant repeatedly but it never lasts, so we finally got a couple professional roofers to come give us a quote for repairing it.

And neither of them were too impressed! When they walked into the room they were instantly shocked. The first said it was the "worst work he'd ever seen" and the second called it "an abomination". Basically it's been built really, really badly, the water doesn't run off and isn't supported at all. Both roofers said it needs totally replacing which will cost thousands.

From what our neighbour has said the guy who lived there before us had built it himself just months before they moved out. He was a 'professional' builder apparently - but clearly not a very good one!

We had a building survey done that cost about £1000 I think, which as far as I know, didn't mention anything about the conservatory (I'll check tonight), which is what I'm really annoyed about. From the roofers' reactions any buildings expert should have been able to see there would be a problem.

Do we have any legal options available to us? Perhaps suing the surveyor or the guy who sold us the house? I'm guessing not, but I'm just so annoyed about this. Any chance of at least getting the surveying fee back from the surveyor?

Pete

'Tradesman' comes in and immediately slags off work of previous 'Tradesman' what a surprise.

You will have to go through your survey and take legal advice to see if you have a case against your Surveyor.

Did you get copies of the FENSA guarantees / any relevant planning etc?

leveller2911

Milliewilly wrote: »

'Tradesman' comes in and immediately slags off work of previous 'Tradesman' what a surprise.

You will have to go through your survey and take legal advice to see if you have a case against your Surveyor.

Did you get copies of the FENSA guarantees / any relevant planning etc?

IMO "Planning" may not apply if the conservatory is within permitted development rights and also FENSA may not apply either if there is a door from the existing house into the conservatory it wont need to conform in terms of thermal values.It will only apply if say there is not a door from the house into the conservatory and it will need to conform to the latest part L of building regs, including DG units to the roof and not polycarbonate.