We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Flat Roof Repair

Options
I have had a single floor extension built a few months ago. The roof incorporates a large rooflight (2.5 x 3.5m), and shortly after moving in we discovered water seepage all around the rooflight.

Subsequent inspections by various roofers revealed that
(a) the rooflight had been fitted almost flush to the roof, when it should have been fitted onto a 15cm upstand
(b) the flashings had been fitted poorly
(c) there was no incline so water collected in several places
(d) the felt used is of very poor quality.

Builder came back (grudgingly), and applied soft bitumen to all edges and joins, so there have been no more leaks. However he has refused to do anymore remedial work - we want him to remove the roof, build a suitable upstand, create an incline and refelt it with a suitable longwearing material. I had 3 roofers in each of whom recommended a different material - one said EPDM, one said Hi-performance felt and think one said asphalt felt (?).

Anyway... I have been quoted £3,500 to strip the roof, build an incline and refelt with some sort of felt (asphalt?). Roof area measures some 30m2. This doesnt include cost of removing and refitting the rooflight, or any decorating costs.....is this a fair price?

Thanks a lot.

Comments

  • keystone
    keystone Posts: 10,916 Forumite
    Actually I think it probably is fair. Thats a big roof area and they will have to take the deck right off to install firrings to give a fall that meets Building Regs. Whats the extra for the rooflight? The question is should you be paying for it and I suspect not. By your description your builder has clearly NOT done a proper job here at all (although there are always two sides to a story) and if he is refusing to carry out remedial works this sounds like a case for trading standards and / or the county court.

    Have you paid him all you owe him or is there a retention?

    HTH

    Cheers
    The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. - Einstein
  • spursfan323
    spursfan323 Posts: 107 Forumite
    edited 27 October 2010 at 3:05PM
    Thanks for your reply.

    I have NOT paid him in full - I have still got about £4k outstanding which suits me nicely.

    (In case you were wondering, I sent him a letter detailing this, and other jobs, that needed to be sorted out, giving a deadline for him to start work. I offered him £500 after all the other jobs would be completed and the balance after the roof.
    His written response was to quibble about the £500 (he wants more) but interestingly no mention was made of the £4000, from which I understood he's got no intention of seeing to the roof. In any case, his deadline's passed already...)
  • keystone
    keystone Posts: 10,916 Forumite
    Sounds like he's making a case for you not to pay him and use the balance to correct his alleged poor workmanship. I'd run it past my solicitor first to make sure I was on unassailable ground though if I were you.

    Cheers
    The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. - Einstein
  • Now got a quote from another (equally experienced) builder for £2,600 incl vat, but for three layers of torch on felt. Currently there is one layer of 'the cheapest rubbishy felt' - the type used on sheds.

    However, the first guy was proposing to use asphalt on the entire roof, as would be seamless and therefore more waterproof). Which would be better?


    As an aside, this is now the 5th professional to see the roof - 2 builders and 3 roofers - all of whom have been scathing as to the quality of the work done...
  • keystone
    keystone Posts: 10,916 Forumite
    but for three layers of torch on felt.
    The first guy was proposing to use asphalt on the entire roof, as would be seamless and therefore more waterproof). Which would be better?
    Both are good techniques.
    Currently there is one layer of 'the cheapest rubbishy felt' - the type used on sheds.
    :eek:
    As an aside, this is now the 5th professional to see the roof - 2 builders and 3 roofers - all of whom have been scathing as to the quality of the work done...
    I sorta had the impression that this would be the case from the way you described it in the first instance. Now, what you cannot do is not pay him for works that has been competed to your satisfaction. So if it just so happens that the value of the roofwork from the original quote/contract is equivalent to the quote(s) for the remedial works then you would be in your rights to say (yes I know he has already missed your deadline) you will not pay for that unless and until he corrects the work or if he will not correct it then you will still not pay him and use the money to pay another contractor to correct his poor workmanship, that you are considering reporting him to trading standards and building control and if you incur additional costs over and above then you will be starting a small claims process in the county court to recover those costs. Do it in writing too.

    What you can't afford to do is proceed on a basis that leaves you wide open to a breach of contract action because you have just said you won't pay him. I still think 30 minutes with your solicitor before you anything further would be money well spent (add that to any eventual claim against him too).

    Cheers
    The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. - Einstein
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.