Do we have to pay

Undervalued

Hashtag22 said:

She's not had anything in writing and agreed with the neighbour not the builder. She didn't have any company details or anything from him as he was a friend of the neighbour they dealt with it, without consulting any other of my parents family members first

Very few things in English law have to be in writing to be valid. In virtually all situations a verbal agreement is just as binding, although obviously far harder to prove what was agreed.

Also, why would the neighbour be expected to consult "any other of my parents family members first"? Unless they have power of attorney they have no say in the matter, although obviously they could offer your parents advice.

Ectophile

Undervalued said:

Hashtag22 said:

She's not had anything in writing and agreed with the neighbour not the builder. She didn't have any company details or anything from him as he was a friend of the neighbour they dealt with it, without consulting any other of my parents family members first

Very few things in English law have to be in writing to be valid. In virtually all situations a verbal agreement is just as binding, although obviously far harder to prove what was agreed.

Also, why would the neighbour be expected to consult "any other of my parents family members first"? Unless they have power of attorney they have no say in the matter, although obviously they could offer your parents advice.

But it's not clear that the OP's mother has agreed any contract at all with the roofer.

Ergates

As no work has been done on the OP's parent's property, and the OP's parent hasn't at any point actually spoken to the builder, I'd be hard pressed to see what they'd owe at this point.

Even if they had spoken to and made a contract with the builder, at most they'd be responsible for reasonable costs the builder might have incurred so far which would be.... probably not very much.

Hashtag22

Thank you for all your feedback this has now been resolved as it appears there were some confusion on my parents side as well as no clear means of being able to see what had been agreed. We have agreed to some partial work to be completed for a fraction of the cost. It has highlighted that we need to put in power of attorney to ensure further financial decisions are clearly understood first as parents not as able to make informed choices now.

Maskface

Hashtag22 said:

Thank you for all your feedback this has now been resolved as it appears there were some confusion on my parents side as well as no clear means of being able to see what had been agreed. We have agreed to some partial work to be completed for a fraction of the cost. It has highlighted that we need to put in power of attorney to ensure further financial decisions are clearly understood first as parents not as able to make informed choices now.

Possibly a blessing in disguise. Make sure to get POA in place asap and not leave it to chance, they might not be so lucky next time.

Pollycat

Hashtag22 said:

Thank you for all your feedback this has now been resolved as it appears there were some confusion on my parents side as well as no clear means of being able to see what had been agreed. We have agreed to some partial work to be completed for a fraction of the cost. It has highlighted that we need to put in power of attorney to ensure further financial decisions are clearly understood first as parents not as able to make informed choices now.

Are they able to understand the LPoA process and make decisions on health & welfare and property and financial affairs?

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Hashtag22 said:

Thank you for all your feedback this has now been resolved as it appears there were some confusion on my parents side as well as no clear means of being able to see what had been agreed. We have agreed to some partial work to be completed for a fraction of the cost. It has highlighted that we need to put in power of attorney to ensure further financial decisions are clearly understood first as parents not as able to make informed choices now.

Thanks for the update, glad to hear you seem to have worked it out with the builder.