Problems with my roofer

Jimi.K.

Hi all,

I have a single story kitchen extension that was built around 30 years ago. The roof was in need of some repair work and we decided to go all out and have all the tiles replaced and a skylight fitted at an estimated cost of £3800 (+ the cost of the skylight).

I used a reputable roofer I have some prior experience with, and looked to him for advice as it is a low pitch roof (12 degrees) and most skylights are only guaranteed to a 15 degree pitch. "Not a problem" he said they'll just need to use a special flashing kit to increase the angle of the window. I said from the outset I'd like as large a skylight as possible and he took some measurements and agreed that I'd be able to fit a 66x118cm window in the space.

My roofer persuaded me to order the window and flashing kit myself (saying he'd charge a mark-up if he ordered it), so I double checked the size with him and sent him links to the exact items I was ordering over whatapp to which he replied "Yes, they seem ok".

Fast forward a month and the window and flashing are too large for the roof - it's obvious that when measuring, my roofer didn't take the flashing kit into account meaning the window wasn't even close to fitting. I ordered a smaller window, and I paid to courier the original window and flashing kit back to the supplier but they are refusing to refund me as they've been unpacked and the roofer started to fit it, leaving me £450 out of pocket.

I took this up with my roofer and he replied "its not my fault if your roof is too small to fit it" and "we're roofers not skylight experts".

Where do I stand here? Morally I feel like the roofer should take responsibility here and at the very least knock some money off my bill, but technically I ordered the skylight myself and have fallen foul of the suppliers refund policy. Any advice?

Many thanks,

Jimi

Mistral001

I would get the roofer to finish the job and pay him, then take him to the small claims court. The original window will have a resale value so the judge might knock off something for that in the final settlement if he/she finds in your favour.

PS. alternative is to sell the original window on ebay or Gumtree, deduct that from £450 and knock that off the payment for the whole job. You risk being taken to court for non-payment though. Swings and roundabouts.

TELLIT01

Sadly not so reputable after all. He should have ordered any specialist items required and there is no reason, other than greed, for him to put a mark up on the cost. Lesson learnt I guess for the future, but it doesn't sound as if you will get much help from him.

Doozergirl

TELLIT01 wrote: »

there is no reason, other than [STRIKE]greed[/STRIKE] the fact he's running a business, for him to put a mark up on the cost.

Fixed that for you.

I don't know why people think trades can't charge a mark up when that's the entire point of business.

The mark up is supposed to cover screw ups like this, amongst other things. If I'm buying something, I'm accepting responsibility. It's not happening for free.

Risteard

TELLIT01 wrote: »

there is no reason, other than greed, for him to put a mark up on the cost.

That simply isn't true.

Marks & Spencers don't sell to you at the price they buy the product for, nor would you expect them to.

Aylesbury_Duck

Doozergirl wrote: »

Fixed that for you.

I don't know why people think trades can't charge a mark up when that's the entire point of business.

The mark up is supposed to cover screw ups like this, amongst other things. If I'm buying something, I'm accepting responsibility. It's not happening for free.

I agree. The "mark up" covers the roofer's cost of ordering and collecting it, i.e. his time.

OP, if it were me I'd be politely trying to come to a mutually acceptable outcome, and follow Mistral's advice to try and sell the window to minimise your losses. I think you're both at fault. Taking him to court or being difficult about it is all very well but what happens in a few months when winter weather exposes any small problems with the new roof? You'll be glad of his co-operation then.

Try and sort it amicably.