Roofing repair charge

deutsch

< 15 mins work. 2 men, call out charge - £125.00

where do i stand on this? what can i do.

materials = £25.00
vat = £30

£180.00 in total

i'm ok with materials, ok with vat, just not the charge.

local roofing company.


invoice description:
investigate leak around gas flue pipe, establish saddle fitted incorrectly, and lead short and not dressed under tile course.

can i go to trading standards or anything? what's the best way to dispute.

Jaynne

Did you ask them what their callout charge is? Seems a bit steep but most companies either do a callout charge or a minimum of an hours labour however they want £75 per person per hour which is a lot for a roofer.

I've never heard of anyone being called out, finding its a 15 minute fix and saying oh its ok ignore the cost of the diesel to get here and the travel time and my years of skills and experience that'll be £10.

deutsch

is there anything i can do?

they want: "strictly nett cash on completion."

i've never been ripped off like this in my life.

ljonski

I used to work for a roofer. The majority of repairs are very simple. However what costs is getting up and down the ladder to places that are inaccessible and dangerous .

tom15387202

What quotes did you get from the other roofers?

spacey2012

Does it have a VAT registration number on ?

deutsch

spacey2012 wrote: »

Does it have a VAT registration number on ?

there's a company reg no.
Status: Active
Date of Incorporation: ../02/2012

no VAT reg no though....

spacey2012

If they have charged VAT the invoice should have a VAT registration number and the receipt has to have one by Law.
I would subtract the VAT until they can come up with a VAT registration number that checks out to them.
Some do try to use other peoples.

deutsch

since i've come home and opened the letter to the invoice, i haven't stopped thinking or searching the net.

i've found this in relation to call out charges....

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/nireland/consumer_ni/consumer_builders_and_home_improvements_e/consumer_problems_with_cost_e/paying_call-out_charges_for_building_work_and_other_repairs.htm

i wasn't advised anything!

thing is, will i be causing more trouble complaining? should i live in fear with the consequences of coming out on top in my argument?

vaio

As you weren't told of the call out charge there is a requirement that the charge be "reasonable". £125 as a call out charge for two men might be regarded as slightly on the high side but remember that they probably allocated a couple of hours to your job so in the general scheme of things I doubt a court would regard it as unreasonable.

Digging your heels in and refusing to pay could well end up with hassle, probably court with additional costs and maybe even the leadwork they added being removed whilst you are at work.

I think I'd be inclined to pay it and remember to ask about call out charges in future.

Jaynne

Honestly I think court isn't going to get you anywhere - you're probably haggling over £50 at most and the time and energy just isn't worth it imho. Chalk it down to experience and ask for what it will cost in advance in the future.

The only thing I'd do is call them A) asking for a VAT invoice to check they have a valid VAT NO as that could save you £30 off the bat (you could also report them to HMRC if you felt vindictive if they were falsely claiming VAT) simply query the charge ask them why its that much as you think its very high for a callout.

B probably won't get you anywhere but its worth a shot and the cash only bit sounds fishy to me but it is perfectly legal, noone has to accept cards or bank transfers.