Is a builder the appropriate tradesperson to ask for a quote in this case?

Raneynickel4

Got a pest survey done on a flat I'm buying and the guy said there were some starlings that have gained access into the loft space through a hole up near the roof. They are nesting on the soffit. 

I wanted to get someone in to get a quote so I can reduce the price since this is something I want to sort out ASAP when I move in (will probably take a long time if I let freeholder sort it). However I just want to be 100% sure that a builder is the best tradesman to quote repair costs in this case? Don't think it'll be a roofer job since although it's close to the roof, the hole is, I believe, on the wall not the roof. Unless there's another tradesperson that specialises in sealing holes in the wall.... 

cattie

A roofer is who I'd go for, work doesn't need to be on the actual roof & they should be used to such a problem with birds or squirrels.

AdrianC

The roof shouldn't be hermetically sealed. It needs gaps for ventilation. If they're gaps large enough for birds, then some wire mesh can easily be DIYed into the gaps.

Raneynickel4

cattie said:

A roofer is who I'd go for, work doesn't need to be on the actual roof & they should be used to such a problem with birds or squirrels.

I see, thanks. thought they only worked on roofs lol. 

Section62

Raneynickel4 said:

Got a pest survey done on a flat I'm buying and the guy said there were some starlings that have gained access into the loft space through a hole up near the roof. They are nesting on the soffit. 

I wanted to get someone in to get a quote so I can reduce the price since this is something I want to sort out ASAP when I move in (will probably take a long time if I let freeholder sort it).

You might have to wait.  By default it is an offence to damage or destroy an active nest or prevent parent birds access to their nests - except in certain prescribed situations. You need to do more research on this, and look at the relevant General Licence for where the house is located.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/wildlife-and-the-law/birds-in-the-roof/how-to-stop-birds-nesting-in-roofs/

I wouldn't employ any tradesperson who was willing to illegally interfere with an active birds nest. If they are willing to break one law, who knows what other shortcuts and bad practices they are willing to employ?

Did the 'pest' survey not warn you that active birds nests are protected?

eddddy

Raneynickel4 said:

I wanted to get someone in to get a quote so I can reduce the price since this is something I want to sort out ASAP when I move in (will probably take a long time if I let freeholder sort it). 

So the loft and roof belong to the freeholder - they're not demised to you.

You shouldn't really do anything to other people's property without their consent. But even if you get consent, the risks might include...

• You or your roofer do a repair - sometime later, the freeholder inspects the roof and says that you or the roofer have done hundreds of pounds worth of damage to their roof.

• You or the roofer do a repair - sometime later the roof starts leaking and does lots of damage to flats. And again the freeholder blames you and/or your roofer.

A better approach might be to say to the seller that they must report the problem to the freeholder, and get it resolved before you will exchange contracts. (Assuming there is something that can be done legally.)

theartfullodger

Not a builder, but a trustworthy honest tax-paying builder with a good reputation. "A" builder could be someone who's only started today after leaving Parkhurst on licence from his sentence for GBH & fraud. 

Ah, but how to find one.  And then how to find one who could do the work when you need it done.