Roofer Taking Back Materials

HappyScotsman

Back to my roofer.

I'm now doing my best to not take his calls and keep to email as I may struggle to remain civil.

His latest email broadly states the work was completed 3rd October so pay up. He's also pointed out that the materials are his until paid for and he'll make arrangements to remove them.

Now where does he stand with that? By all means take the extra slates used (not sure how he identifies "his" vs "mine"), remove UPVC, membrane, leadwork and peel off the sealant. If he leaves the roof in a worse state than when he started? If he damages other parts while taking his bits? As the materials most probably came to less than the deposit (unspecified purpose by materials implied), would the law say materials or labour takes precedent drawing down against it?

Anyone know what the law says? 

GDB2222

HappyScotsman said:

Back to my roofer.

I'm now doing my best to not take his calls and keep to email as I may struggle to remain civil.

His latest email broadly states the work was completed 3rd October so pay up. He's also pointed out that the materials are his until paid for and he'll make arrangements to remove them.

Now where does he stand with that? By all means take the extra slates used (not sure how he identifies "his" vs "mine"), remove UPVC, membrane, leadwork and peel off the sealant. If he leaves the roof in a worse state than when he started? If he damages other parts while taking his bits? As the materials most probably came to less than the deposit (unspecified purpose by materials implied), would the law say materials or labour takes precedent drawing down against it?

Anyone know what the law says? 

Once he attaches the materials to your house, they are no longer his to recover, regardless of what his terms state.  If he tries to remove them, call the police.

However, I haven't read your other threads, but really you should try to avoid this. He clearly can't do anything with whatever he strips off, and you don't want him up on the roof, stripping it.  

.   

Gavin83

There's clearly a lot more to this story than you've listed here (and in your other thread) so what's the issue? Has he completed the work? What have you said to him to prompt that response as it seems very heavy handed after 4 days. Have you suggested in some way you won't pay?

He can't remove the materials but that doesn't mean he won't get the money.

GDB2222

This is the other thread.

How to Tell if the Roofer is Overcharging Me?

Frankly, it's rather late to be asking this at this stage. 

HappyScotsman

I don't think I've said anything particularly untoward to him. I paid the deposit he asked, (and he hasn't provided a VAT receipt that I've asked for multiple times). He asked for more money before finishing, and I said no. I've asked for a breakdown, he hasn't responded. He claims the work is finished, but the unpaired splits in the lead I pointed out to him before he started haven't been dealt with, and he's been told this twice.

All in all, I think he's overly eager to be paid, which points to cash flow issues. I'm more than happy to pay if he'll provide receipts and complete the work.

Mr.Generous

Doesn't really matter what the law says to some extent if he's going to turn up when your out and strip his stuff off the roof. I'd think carefully about that and try and deal with him in a way to resolve the issue.

Bendy_House

Do you have Legal Protection included in your house insurance?

comeandgo

Are you a business?  I ask as the repair was to office roof and you are wanting a vat receipt rather early.  I don’t think your home insurance legal, if you have it, will cover business to business.

HappyScotsman

I'm a VAT registered business. VAT regs are clear; https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-instalments-deposits-credit-sales 

HappyScotsman

Mr.Generous said:

Doesn't really matter what the law says to some extent if he's going to turn up when your out and strip his stuff off the roof. I'd think carefully about that and try and deal with him in a way to resolve the issue.

I don't want to get to that point. He's the one escalating in under a week.