Solar panels damage to roof

Tudortowers27

Any advice?….my solar panels, fitted ten years ago have unfortunately damaged my roof.
The repair bill is estimated to be £7000
The company I used has ceased trading, my insurance company tells me I’m not insured for shoddy workmanship, relevant trade associations say any warranty has expired….even trading standards don’t want to know!
I am hoping to retire soon and hate the thought of going into debt. 

Aylesbury_Duck

Tudortowers27 said:

Any advice?….my solar panels, fitted ten years ago have unfortunately damaged my roof.
The repair bill is estimated to be £7000
The company I used has ceased trading, my insurance company tells me I’m not insured for shoddy workmanship, relevant trade associations say any warranty has expired….even trading standards don’t want to know!
I am hoping to retire soon and hate the thought of going into debt. 

Unfortunately there is no recourse here.  As you've discovered, all routes are either invalid or expired.  What would Trading Standards do anyway, since the company has ceased trading?

My scam-senses are twitching, though....who's told you your roof is damaged?  Please don't say someone knocked on your door and offered to run up a ladder to take a look...?

biscan25

Tudortowers27 said:

Any advice?….my solar panels, fitted ten years ago have unfortunately damaged my roof.
The repair bill is estimated to be £7000
The company I used has ceased trading, my insurance company tells me I’m not insured for shoddy workmanship, relevant trade associations say any warranty has expired….even trading standards don’t want to know!
I am hoping to retire soon and hate the thought of going into debt. 

After 10 years and a wound up compnay, my only advice would be to get some more quotes.

lincroft1710

Exactly how have the solar panels damaged your roof?

bris

How has it taken 10 years to notice your roof is damaged? 

When installing Solar panels they have to be fixed in place, that means drilling into the roof, it's always going to cause some damage along the whole length of the installation.

Of course if you are now removing these solar panels then you are going to see the scars of this.

The job can't have been bad or you would have noticed a leaking and damaged roof many years ago.

born_again

How can a ins co say shoddy workmanship if they have been there for 10 years... Time for a complaint to ins co. 👍

user1977

born_again said:

How can a ins co say shoddy workmanship if they have been there for 10 years... Time for a complaint to ins co. 👍

It doesn't matter to the insurers what the cause is, unless it's one of the insured risks.

Tudortowers27

Thanks for all the comments…..yes the damage is caused by the panels…I’ve had several reputable companies inspecting them…solar panel installers and roofers….I’ve even paid £400 for a survey to be done…. The damage was done by the roofer when the panels where installed. The damage was only slight …..that combined with the loft insulation delayed the water ingress…..has anyone any experience with insurance ombudsman? 

Would certainly advise others to have their roof and loft space checked regularly to catch any problem before they become serious…..I can’t be the only one that this has happened too….thanks for all advice offered 🙏

user1977

Tudortowers27 said:

has anyone any experience with insurance ombudsman? 

Insurance ombudsman is a red herring. Damage caused by the installers isn't going to be an insured risk under your buildings policy. At best you might have legal cover if there was anybody still around to sue.

ThumbRemote

While damage caused the the insurers probably isn't covered by your insurance, it may be worth checking to see if the damage caused by water ingress is covered. That way you'd only have part of the bill to pay for. 

Flight3287462

How much are you making annually from your PV array?