Problems With Tradesmen and What To Do Next

ChrisHunter

II'll try to keep this short and sweet.

Back in around early October 2016 we had a roofing company out to get a quote for work that needed doing on our main roof (original rosemary tiled roof). Now we're not roofers so we asked what needed doing, whether we just needed repairs or an entirely new roof which we had already got a loan to cover the cost for. After quite a few call and visits from them, the boss came to see us and said it doesn't need a new roof but they might find more issues when we get up there, you just need broken tiles replacing, new ridge tiles as well as guttering and flashing.

After a few changes in the quote we agreed to the work, which was carried out in December 2016, and paid the £3480 as soon as the work was complete. We thought all was well but a couple of months down the line we noticed the back bedroom ceiling had gotten really damp and paint started to come off. We got in touch with the same company who sent an engineer out to survey the damage and they agreed it was a result of their work. After a lot of back and forth they agreed to do the work but randomly sent engineers out to try to do the work, without telling us. At this point they had never confirmed what they would do to fix the issue or when they would do the work we turned them away. On one occasion the engineer that originally completed the work pulled up as we were leaving the house. I told him the company still hadn't arranged it and he told me about a few issues following the original work, that he reported to the roofing company but this was never relayed to us (one of us was damage to the lower roof caused by their scaffolding and issues with the flashing on the chimney).

Last Wednesday (6th August 17) a new engineer came and carried out work to fix any possible leaks in the main roof (by grouting the back of the tiles from inside the loft) and fix the damage to the lower roof too. He left and the company hasn't sent us a receipt for the work or been back in touch since. However I haven't had chance to enter the loft and check the work the roofing engineer carried out but we have since noticed the ceiling in the front bedroom (not affected by damp) is cracked and bulging slightly following his visit, as though too much weight has been put on it.

Where do we stand with this, should we get in touch with the roofing company first and tell them, should we get a receipt for the work from them first so we have a record of their visit? Or considering we gave them the opportunity to rectify their mistakes and they've now made more mistakes, do we seek legal action?

Sorry for the long post, it's been really stressful trying to get them to admit and agree the fixing their mistakes and we just want to get it sorted as quickly as we can as it's our home and it's been on going for 10 months now.

If you made it to the end, thank you for taking the time to read this. Any suggestions would be a great help!

Chris.

comeandgo

Sorry not much help on the building part but don't get het up about a receipt. You have the invoice, and you will have evidence through bank regarding payment, no receipt required.

ChrisHunter

Thanks for the reply comeandgo. The roofing company were doing the latest repairs at no charge as it was a result of their original work or should have been done at that time.

We have emails leading up to the 6th, explaining what would be done and that the work was still going ahead but nothing following. We're wondering if we should email them for proof the work has been done before mentioning the crack in the ceiling or at the same time and allow them to offer to fix it, or whether to seek legal help considering this is another mistake on their part.

[Deleted User]

I think you might need to get a surveyor to come round a do a report on the roof, send it to the company and if you don't feel confident in their work, ask for compensation to enable you to get the work done.

I'd also get into the roof space or get someone else in to see what damage has been caused (maybe see what's causing the ceiling bulge) in case more urgent work needs to be done.

This might be useful http://www.roofingconsultantsgroup.com/understanding-the-different-types-of-roof-survey/

ChrisHunter

Thanks deannatrois, we were considering getting another roofing company in to look at how much it's cost to fix everything but surveyor sound like a better idea!