Problem Roofer

boltonbargainhunter

Hi All,

I'll attempt to summarize the series of events to try and give you an idea of my predicament and why I need some help.
November 2020 - Contacted a local roofer for quotes on a full reroof including new gutters etc. Conversation including prices and work description was sent via facebook messages.
December 2020 - Work is started on the roof as per the agreed quotation. All work is finished bar the guttering, facias etc. Work stops just before Christmas with a promise to return after New Year to complete. 80% has been paid
January 2020 - The roofer fails to return to complete and after numerous messages back and forth, excuses range from he has COVID, he is sick and he will be back next week / this week to finish the work
February 2020 - Messages continue to be sent to the roofer, with limited to no replies. As of today the last reply was on the 11th February advising he was still sick but would instruct another company to complete the work. Following this I have sent numerous messages to establish who and when would be completing the work to receive no reply

The benefit of facebook messenger it is shows when messages have been delivered and read, so I can confirm that he has received and read every message I have sent. I have also found posts on facebook from around 20th January where he is actively seeking more work. 

The 20% not paid does not cover the cost I will have to pay to find another roofer to come and finish work, so I suspect I will be out of pocket

We have also noticed over the last month, that because the work is not finished properly the house is not water tight and we are starting to see signs of water entry. We have a 2 year old and are concerned about area of the house becoming damp.

My questions are:
1. Do I continue to keep chasing him? If so for how long do I continue?
2. Should I look to seek court action if I have to pay out further monies to have the work completed?
3. If I do look to take court action and it turns out he has been isolating due to COVID, would this reflect badly on me or affect my chances of winning?
4. Am I at a disadvantage because all communication has been done over messenger, instead of getting written/email quotes and invoices?
5. Is there anything else I should be doing?

 If anyone could give me any help I'd really appreciate 

Thanks

 

Spank

You mean Jan & Feb 2021?

I'm taking him at his word that he had Covid, so I can see why he hasn't come back or kept you informed until he feels better (although him seeking jobs does seem dodgy)
Has another co been in touch with you regarding finishing the work?

The only thing that I can see what he has done wrong is that he didn't waterproof the building, at the least he should have got someone else to fix that.

boltonbargainhunter

Spank said:

You mean Jan & Feb 2021?

I'm taking him at his word that he had Covid, so I can see why he hasn't come back or kept you informed until he feels better (although him seeking jobs does seem dodgy)
Has another co been in touch with you regarding finishing the work?

The only thing that I can see what he has done wrong is that he didn't waterproof the building, at the least he should have got someone else to fix that.

Yes sorry I mean Jan/Feb 2021
Following his last message on the 11th February I’ve had no contact off him or any other company to finish or even temporary fix the problems.

I full understand the implications of COVID, I lost a family member, so he has my sympathy. My issue if he does have COVID, then surely he shouldn’t be posting on Facebook, reading messages etc because if he can do all that then I’d expect him to be able to reply to my messages, even if it’s just to say sorry I’m still sick.
it really isn’t a case of being unsympathetic to him if he sick, but I have a family to look after in a property that needs work completing, and COVID or not since January he has been giving me false promises of finishing the work or getting someone else to finish the work

Aylesbury_Duck

I almost gave up at the mention of Facebook, especially for such a large and expensive job, but anyway:

My questions are:
1. Do I continue to keep chasing him? If so for how long do I continue?
I'd send him a letter before action now, giving him 14 days to respond with a solution.
2. Should I look to seek court action if I have to pay out further monies to have the work completed?
Absolutely.
3. If I do look to take court action and it turns out he has been isolating due to COVID, would this reflect badly on me or affect my chances of winning?
No.  The court will deal with facts.
4. Am I at a disadvantage because all communication has been done over messenger, instead of getting written/email quotes and invoices?
It's not great, but at least it's in a recordable form.
5. Is there anything else I should be doing?
Get two roofers to quote for the remedial and completion work, so you know ho much to sue the first roofer for if he doesn't do it himself.