Roofing repairs - warranty etc.,

Snudge88

Some advice, please, if I may?

Our 9-year-old GRP flat roof over our porch has started leaking in recent weeks and, thankfully, is still just within the 10-year warranty provided by the original installer.

We've had the installers out three times now, to no avail, and their position now is that wherever the leak is coming from is not within the area covered by the warranty (roof covering/structure, and surrounding roof up to the level of the first batten). They also maintain that the ponding that the roof is exhibiting is not a defect (as a surveyor, I would beg to differ...).

We've had a roofing contractor out this week, who has identified the issue as being a defective area of finishing to the GRP covering, exacerbated by the ponding to the roof structure. i.e. all issues sit firmly within the area covered by the warranty.

I'm just after a little advice, please, as to how best to protect my position going forward. Essentially I want the roof repaired, and to be able to reclaim my costs from the original company if they still refuse to do the job.

I've written to them this afternoon, outlining the findings of the independent contractor, and giving them 24 hours to accept ownership of the issue, after which I shall reserve the right to have the repairs undertaken at my own expense and then recover the monies from them.

Should this be enough to protect my position if they refuse to act, and I am forced to have the repairs done myself? In an ideal world, I'd like to be able to say "you've had two chances, I don't trust you at all any more, so I'm not allowing you to undertake the repairs", but I assume that's probably not a workable scenario if I want to be able to recover my costs?

Long story short, I want to be able to recover my costs and either refuse to let the original firm undertake the repairs, or have an independent contractor assess the repairs once complete.  Will this be possible?

Any thoughts gratefully received!