Extortionate roof, old dad overcharged

Helpmyoldpapa

I'm really hoping I can help my dad out of an extremely distressing situation.

To cut a long story short, my had is almost 80. He is in the process of having a complete new roof tiles, felt, guttering and facias. It is a end terraced house, 3 bed.

As I have a newborn, I took my eye off him for a bit and didn't even know this was going on.

They quoted him 10k cash and he signed the quote (alone)

It took 6 people today, so one day only to do this job. And are doing to final things tomorrow morning and then expecting payment in full. Now they originally wanted 14k!! But knocked it down assuring my dad they were doing him a fantastic deal but he would have to pay in cash!!

He also had a simple flat roof porch done, just a door and one side, cost £3700.

I have tonight had 4 quotes from local roofers, and non are over £5k I'm absolutely mortified and my dad is so upset he feels embarrassed, and angry.

I do feel he was pressured into this as they were trying to get him to have windows too.

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to mention the name?

Can I do anything at all? Should we pay? Should we let them finish the work?

Thank you to anyone that can help at all xx

Keep_pedalling

You can name them.

tacpot12

Does your dad have an obvious problem with mental capacity? If so, then the contract is not valid. If the contract is valid, then the company can sue your dad in court and are very likely to win.

Presumably your dad has the money to pay?

The only thing that might work (if he had capacity) is to make an appointment to see a director of the company at their office and see if you can appeal to their morality and reduce the price to a more reasonable figure.

Is this event a signal that your dad should consider making a lasting power of attorney?

Tom99

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]It sounds a bit overpriced but is there anything wrong with the work they have done?

[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Is this a proper roofing firm with an address and website or someone who just knocked at the door?

[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Did they replace the tiles with new or reuse the sound existing tiles?

[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In a day! Did they scaffold? Have they removed all the old tiles, felt if any and battens?

[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Was there any sort of spec in the quote about the tile, felt and batten to be used?

[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Is there a chimney if so what sort of flashing have they used?[/FONT]

Helpmyoldpapa

tacpot12 wrote: »

Does your dad have an obvious problem with mental capacity? If so, then the contract is not valid. If the contract is valid, then the company can sue your dad in court and are very likely to win.

Presumably your dad has the money to pay?

The only thing that might work (if he had capacity) is to make an appointment to see a director of the company at their office and see if you can appeal to their morality and reduce the price to a more reasonable figure.

Is this event a signal that your dad should consider making a lasting power of attorney?

He has the money to pay but only just he has no obvious mental problem apart from that he is almost 80..he does get very confused.

Helpmyoldpapa

Tom99 wrote: »

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]It sounds a bit overpriced but is there anything wrong with the work they have done?

[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Is this a proper roofing firm with an address and website or someone who just knocked at the door?

[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Did they replace the tiles with new or reuse the sound existing tiles?

[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In a day! Did they scaffold? Have they removed all the old tiles, felt if any and battens?

[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Was there any sort of spec in the quote about the tile, felt and batten to be used?

[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Is there a chimney if so what sort of flashing have they used?[/FONT]

Work is OK as far as we know
Big roofing firm called heritage home improvements
Brand new tiles all over, timber and felt
Yes they did scaffold
No chimney, just straight up and over, simple told

eddddy

There might be a basis for not paying if the roofing company have misrepresented something.

For example,

• they said the roof needed replacing when it didn't
• they've used different materials from what they promised
• they have done less work than they said they would

Or if they have not done the job 'with reasonable care and skill'.

But if they've done what they promised, and it's a good job, there may not be much that you can do.

eddddy

Helpmyoldpapa wrote: »

They quoted him 10k cash and he signed the quote (alone)
...
I have tonight had 4 quotes from local roofers, and non are over £5k

To be honest, that's the sort of price differential you can often find between 'home improvement companies' and local builders.

'Home improvement companies' can have very polished and professional sales organisations, with high sales overheads (salespeople's commission, advertising costs etc). And they may use high pressure selling techniques.

For example, you would probably find the same price differential, if you asked for a quote from a big window replacement company that advertises on tv versus a local builder.

Tom99

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Is this them?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://heritagehomeimprovements.co.uk/[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]If so it sound like someone doing some work on the side for cash particularly since it was done in a day.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Ask them about the 10 year guarantee the claim to offer.[/FONT]

Helpmyoldpapa

Yes that is them

Keep_pedalling

Tom99 wrote: »

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Is this them?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://heritagehomeimprovements.co.uk/[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]If so it sound like someone doing some work on the side for cash particularly since it was done in a day.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Ask them about the 10 year guarantee the claim to offer.[/FONT]

If that is the company, they are VAT registered so there is no way I would be paying in cash, and I would want a VAT receipt.