Dispute with builder regarding roof slates

thebaronn

Hi,

We are having a ground floor kitchen extension built and it has a pitched slate roof. This is our first building project.

The majority of slates were put on in one go, leaving 1-2 rows below the ridge line. A week or two later the builder finished the job, but the slates they used leading up to the ridge look completely different. They are a totally different colour and texture. I appreciate that slate is a natural product but the slates don't even look like they are from the same quarry.

Our builder is flatly refusing to do anything about this, despite us saying we are not happy. They have said there is no problem with the function or installation of the roof and we are being unreasonable asking for the unmatching slates to be replaced. They have said that the slates are from the same supplier but they were purchased at different times (I'd argue that they should have bought enough slates to finish the job in one go, ensuring they were all from the same "batch"). They have also cited that their roofer of 40 years experience has said this is not an issue.

I'm really looking for some advice as at the moment it is just our word against theirs. The slates really do stand out. It's not like this is a patch up job, this is a totally new roof.

If the builders continue to refuse to make good the work, what is our next course of action?

Thanks all.

daveyjp

First port of call is your building contract.

What does it say about choice of materials and dealing with disputes?

J_B

Have you paid?

thebaronn

Contract is at home which I'll be going over this evening. I'll report back later.

thebaronn

We are paying in stage payments, there are two payments remaining circa £10k, but he lion share has been paid.

dermonte

The shade of colours are always different I was told with each batches by my tile supplier when I bought my tiles. It will be same for roof tiles probably. I bought 4sqm more incase. Its common sense. I would be very firm with them if it was me and wouldnt let it go until tney agree to change it.

teneighty

I would suggest that this is the builders responsibility to rectify.

It is a very basic error not to order enough materials to complete the project. You run the risk of not being able to match the colour texture etc. of things like roof slates, facing bricks etc. However, I do wonder if they have used completely different slates, perhaps the roofing merchant only had cheap Chinese slates in stock and the previous ones were slightly less cheap Spanish?

If the difference in appearance is not too obvious they may be able to strip the roof and re-slate mixing the new slates in with the original but I would do that at the builders risk, if it doesn't work I would reserve the right to reject it.

thebaronn

Thanks teneighty. I'm no slate expert but they do look very different in terms of composition and colour so wouldn't be surprised if they are from a different source (even if from the same supplier).

Furts

thebaronn wrote: »

Thanks teneighty. I'm no slate expert but they do look very different in terms of composition and colour so wouldn't be surprised if they are from a different source (even if from the same supplier).

If you ask the builder to mix in the slates be very careful. You risk a reluctant builder going flat out to bodge. Hence I would not go down this route.

I would be stating renew the roof in matching slates from one batch to meet the specification. Yes they could renew the top courses, but only if you inspect the suitability of the slates before they fix them.

Remember you are holding back £10000 and this will pay for a lot of roofing works. But equally if this has to cover internal works, finishes, floor, kitchen units et al then I am worried about the position you are in.

southcoastrgi

If they look totally different they might be from different quarries or even different parts of the world, not all slate comes from Wales

thebaronn

I'd love to upload a picture but a new forum member I'm not allowed to upload photos or post links.