Roof leak / quotes / etiquette?

Absolutely

This is probably going to be a bit of a rant, sorry

I posted previously about a hairline crack appearing in my daughters bedroom. Turns out its a long-standing roof leak - cause unknown til someone gets up there. Obviously I can't get on the roof myself, no hubby, so I've got a BIL who 'knows a mate' that will help.

4 weeks on and much nagging, I'm still waiting.

3 days ago, I posted the job on one of those websites where you invite quotes. One guy was very quick to respond. Agreed to come out yesterday, but then weather was too bad so we agree if the weather is better he will come out today (Friday) at 9.30 ish. No show so far. I've left a message on his mobile - no reply.

So do I:
1) wait for BIL and his mate who may or may not be able to fix the leak?

2) wait for the first guy from the website to get in touch?

3) get in touch with another company via the website that says they can come out tomorrow and do a free quote?

4) get in touch with everyone that said they would quote and just get them all round over the next week or so?

I wouldn't mind but it's an IDEAL day to get up on the roof. Clear, dry, no frost. Grrrrrrrrr

MX5huggy

Option 4, up to about 4 or 5 people, no point getting 20 quotes.

Chunks

Agree. Getting quotes, and getting it done gets my vote. If your roof's leaking, it needs fixing asap.

Chunks

Sorry - premature posting meant to add having a clue what's wrong might help (with the final bill). If it's a blocked gutter and some other issue is 'found/created' might be a case of forewarned and all that... just a thought.

Buy the BIL a bottle of red and send him up the ladder.

Absolutely

Chunks wrote: »

Sorry - premature posting meant to add having a clue what's wrong might help (with the final bill). If it's a blocked gutter and some other issue is 'found/created' might be a case of forewarned and all that... just a thought.

Buy the BIL a bottle of red and send him up the ladder.

I've got an idea what's wrong, and it's not a blocked gutter. I think it's the lead flashing between mine and next doors house.

I've given up on option 1.

Option 2 - I rang him and he didn't return my call.

So I've gone for Option 3 - the guy that says he will come out tomorrow and no obligation quote.

I'll see what he comes up with and maybe progress to Option 4 if needs be.

Houses...bloomin' money pits sometimes.

Don't even get me started on my kitchen :eek:

KateLiana27

I would strongly advise against using anyone from a website that invites quotes (rated tradesman type ones). The tradesmen have to pay to give you a quote, which means only the most desperate who cannot get business in other ways use them. This doesn't in itself mean they are shoddy, but unfortunately that's often how it is. Like some others on this forum, I had a bad experience with this. You might be lucky, but just thought I should warn you.

Call up established local companies (preferably on personal recommendation, but otherwise just phone them and use your gut instinct as to who you trust), and get three quotes.

Absolutely

KateLiana27 wrote: »

I would strongly advise against using anyone from a website that invites quotes (rated tradesman type ones). The tradesmen have to pay to give you a quote, which means only the most desperate who cannot get business in other ways use them. This doesn't in itself mean they are shoddy, but unfortunately that's often how it is. Like some others on this forum, I had a bad experience with this. You might be lucky, but just thought I should warn you.

Call up established local companies (preferably on personal recommendation, but otherwise just phone them and use your gut instinct as to who you trust), and get three quotes.

Thanks for your comment. My problem is:

1) I don't know many people myself therefore personal recommendations are almost impossible.

2) My ex was in the building trade so I'm 'persona-non-grata' to a lot of the local companies in this area now I've divorced him (sad but true).


I had no idea that contacting a tradesman through a website and inviting them to quote meant they had to pay the website money.

Could you perhaps Private Message me with details of the website you dealt with? I was under the impression that the one I'm dealing with charges commission to the tradesperson once the job is agreed and paid, not on giving a quote.

Thanks for your reply. I shall delve a bit further.