Scaffolding and roof repairs

G_M

Aince1985 wrote: »

....., ridge tiles need patch repointing and chimneys need checked/repointed.

....., but I had one guy who was quoting me £4.5 to remove a chimney.

So what needs doing? Repointing or removing? Big difference!

Get at least 3 opinions on what needs doing, plus written quotes (not estimates). Maybe start with a roofing company that is a member of https://www.nfrc.co.uk/ to get a professional view of what needs doing. Then shop around for local recommended contractors to compare prices like-for-like.

Avoid commercial companies that claim to list traders you can trust. The traders pay to be on them and negative reviews are often not shown (as they'd lead to the trader stopping their subscription!).

Which? have a scheme.

So do Trading Standards.

But neighbours are best!

I have a local guy who does loose tiles/ridges via a ladder, but I suspect that's not allowed anymore.


ps - I'm sure you know this, but never pay in advance.......

Aince1985

tiggerbodhi wrote: »

My roofer re-pointed and re set the lead on a chimney, he had scaffold erected to the gutter level to give him a platform to work from whilst walking up onto the roof, would think if the ridge needs looking at and the chimney you would need a scaffold work platform created for the full width of the house at gutter level.

Unlikely to need scaffold around the chimney unless it is being stripped down and re-built or removed completely.

Including scaffolding to get the chimney re-pointed, lead replaced and reset into place was £450 (south coast)

Sounds very cheap?

Aince1985

G_M wrote: »

So what needs doing? Repointing or removing? Big difference!

Get at least 3 opinions on what needs doing, plus written quotes (not estimates). Maybe start with a roofing company that is a member of https://www.nfrc.co.uk/ to get a professional view of what needs doing. Then shop around for local recommended contractors to compare prices like-for-like.

Avoid commercial companies that claim to list traders you can trust. The traders pay to be on them and negative reviews are often not shown (as they'd lead to the trader stopping their subscription!).

Which? have a scheme.

So do Trading Standards.

But neighbours are best!

I have a local guy who does loose tiles/ridges via a ladder, but I suspect that's not allowed anymore.


ps - I'm sure you know this, but never pay in advance.......

Re-pointing for the leak. Removing the whole of the chimney (all the way down) might be good for that extra 35cm of space lol.

FreeBear

Aince1985 wrote: »

I understand that people can charge what they want and they should also be allowed to work in a safe environment; I just need some tips so I don’t get ripped of.

When asking for quotes, make sure it includes a list of the work being carried out along with a breakdown of costs. The cost of scaffolding (if required) will be pretty much the same across the board, as should the cost of materials.

Some work could be done from ladders, other people may have a scaffold tower which will help to keep the costs down. For major works, scaffolding is always a good idea, but it can be expensive - It is worth considering what other work needs doing on the exterior and get it done at the same time.

Aince1985

FreeBear wrote: »

When asking for quotes, make sure it includes a list of the work being carried out along with a breakdown of costs. The cost of scaffolding (if required) will be pretty much the same across the board, as should the cost of materials.

Some work could be done from ladders, other people may have a scaffold tower which will help to keep the costs down. For major works, scaffolding is always a good idea, but it can be expensive - It is worth considering what other work needs doing on the exterior and get it done at the same time.

Yes scaffolding tower! What’s the difference?

I had a quote About a loft extension and it was literally just a number, didn’t have in-depth details. What should be included, labour costs and materials?

FreeBear

Aince1985 wrote: »

Yes scaffolding tower! What’s the difference ?

A scaffold tower is something that the trades person would own and assemble on site as and when required. A "proper" scaffolding set up would (normally) be contracted out to another company and come with a bunch of safety certificates & paperwork.

G_M

A scaffolding tower is a freestanding, standard shaped tower, often owned by a roofer or contractor:





'Scaffolding' is erected to the shape/size of the building in question, and tied in to the building. Usually sub-contacted out to specialist scaffolding companies.

Slinky

I had a quote from a nfrc recommended company to sort some loose mortar on a ridge. Quote came in with notes about full scaffolding, services of a site manager whilst work was ongoing, etc etc. £2500ish. We used a local chap who went up a ladder with a bucket of muck and charged us £45.


Quotes vary!

G_M

Slinky wrote: »

I had a quote from a nfrc recommended company to sort some loose mortar on a ridge. Quote came in with notes about full scaffolding, services of a site manager whilst work was ongoing, etc etc. £2500ish. We used a local chap who went up a ladder with a bucket of muck and charged us £45.


Quotes vary!

Hey that's my man! He also sources matching old recycled tiles and replaces the cracked/slipped ones. When you see him, tell him I need a day of his time to repaint the upstairs window frames this summer.

Mistral001

I would rely on personal recommendations. If you do not know anybody who has hired builders or handymen, then seek out people who have. A friend of mine (sigle female) would drive around looking for houses that were being repaired and just knock on the door and enquire about who was doing the work on their house. Most people will comment on how badly or well the builder was doing their job without asking them specifically.