Replacing skylight in extension, job finished?

lah1308

I am not sure re: your questions as I am no expert. That is why we got these guys (from checkatrade) who had good reviews so am annoyed we are going through all this cr*p!

Any advice on the best way to get someone else out to review the works? Guess we could pay a local roofing company to come out and review the work before we pay up for the work?

lah1308

Oh and yes, I believe they did put the vertical struts in

teneighty

Checkatrade! Say no more.

From your description and photos it looks like the roof has a flat ceiling at the top and the ceiling slopes to follow the line of the rafters lower down?

If that is the case it depends on the size of the rafters if you can cut out a big hole in the roof or whether you need to strengthen the roof.

As for getting someone to check. Roofers are a strange trade, they just tend to do the tiles, slates, roofing felt etc. and would get a carpenter to do the timber roof structure. So really a carpenter would be a better bet but I suspect you will struggle to find someone who is prepared to inspect and of course you run the risk of them condemning the work in the hope they will get the job to rip it all out and start again.

So a more independent opinion would be better, Structural Engineer or Building Surveyor but that is likely to cost about £500.

If you really wanted to open a can of worms speak to the Building Control Dept at the Council as that should strictly have had a Building Regulations Application but that is likely to backfire and just end up causing you more aggravation and expence.

If you post the size and spacing and span of the rafters there are people here who could advise you if they are strong enough or there are free resources online to look it up yourself.

lah1308

What do you recommend using instead of checkatrade? We really struggle to find good tradesmen and this is the first job of many

And yes if I get someone off of checkatrade to review the work, as you say, we'll probably need to start again!

We did a bit of research into building regs and because there was already a skylight and because of the size and height it didn't need approval... I thought...! I'll double check that!

No convinced I will be able to get into the roof to measure anything up but once the plasterboard it cut away I guess we could see up into the roof and possibly measure.

For now I guess we let them finish up so the roof is watertight etc. and then try get a reputable company or surveyor in to review the work, if we have to pay £500 then so be it. Any recommendations on that front?

teneighty

The bottom line is it is a tiny roof with quite a small rooflight, chances are even if they don't strengthen it the very worst that will happen is there will be a very slight sag in the roof.

Talk to the roofers about opening up the ceiling as it might just have been a misunderstanding but certainly let them finish and get it all weathertight as you suggested before you get too heavy handed. The last thing you want is them getting the hump and walking off site with a big hole in your roof.

lah1308

Agreed - that is the conclusion we have come to. I have contacted my carpenter who said whilst a bit odd he can finish it off no problem.

System

If there was a skylight there, how come there is a ceiling in place?!

lah1308

there was one to the side we are removing and putting in a new one...

System

If you are altering a roof structure then it should be signed off by building control

lah1308

the planning portal says this?

You do not normally need to apply for planning permission to re-roof your house or to insert roof lights or skylights as the permitted development rules allow for roof alterations subject to the following limits and conditions.

Any alteration to project no more than 150 millimetres from the existing roof plane.
No alteration to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
Side facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor.