Builder pressuring - should I be worried?

daaff

dil1976 said:

Well they will have booked you in, now they are going to have to find other work at short notice to fill that time. You should speak to them and express your concerns on the weather

I would have expected a roofer to delay jobs that require dry weather and because I read it needs be dry and want the work to last I thought delay it myself anyway. I did speak to them which is why I'm worried about their response.

Edit: Think they may be struggling to find work at the moment which is why they are disappointed.

Doozergirl

daaff said:

dil1976 said:

Well they will have booked you in, now they are going to have to find other work at short notice to fill that time. You should speak to them and express your concerns on the weather

I would have expected a roofer to delay jobs that require dry weather and because I read it needs be dry and want the work to last I thought delay it myself anyway. I did speak to them which is why I'm worried about their response.

Edit: Think they may be struggling to find work at the moment which is why they are disappointed.

Genuine roofers just won't come if it's bad weather.  I haven't looked at the forecast - a couple of random showers might be okay.  

What worries me is £800 for *repairs* painting something onto a flat roof.   Proportionally, replacing the whole thing wouldn't be a whole lot more but guaranteed to last.   

The phrase 'painting over the cracks' does spring to mind. 

Got any photos? 

 

ThisIsWeird

daaff said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Daaff, what actual detailed information do you have about the work they plan to do? Which GRP products - there are lots of them - do they plan to use? What guarantee? 

And, what's the quote amount?!

Easy to get on to the roof? If so, as soon as it dries up, get up there with a can of Cromapol and a big brush. Jobbie jobbed (for a few years).

I didn't ask for specific products unfortunately. Quote just says repairs to flat roof to make water tight with fibre glass paint and new seams around edges. They said 5 year guarantee. £800 for around 15m2 area.

Funnily enough I did use some Cromapol on it but only expecting a very short term fix and wanted it done properly, seems to have stopped it for now.

Thanks.

I asked about the specific product as I recalled that the stuff we had on a new roof was Flexitec 2000, and when I read the bumph found it would adhere to pretty much anything, including felt - tho' it needs a primer.

I'm not sure - I don't know if - most GRP products are designed for this.

I would really like a fairly detailed quote for something like this, such as outlining the exact procedure (eg, "clean off all moss and loose debris. Apply xyz primer to the whole existing surface. Apply X on to Y, reinforced with X matting at..." type of stuff), so that you know what to expect, and can tell if it's adequate.

I really don't know what to advise - they could be quite genuine.

What are your longer-term plans for the roof? Will you have it completely redone at some point - stripped, repaired if necessary, primed, and a completely new GRP finish? If so, I think I'd stall until then, and put the £800 towards it - and just give it a second coat of Cromapol when it's nice and sunny! I bet that will also last 5+ years. £100...

daaff

I messaged them earlier, by the sound of their rants/messages I think they may be more frustrated at a few customers cancelling and I've been caught up in it as well by delaying because of the weather (Manchester forecast is heavy rain/thunder - but they claim they have 'stuff to put up when it's bad weather'...) Not very professional but never mind.

Doozergirl said:

Genuine roofers just won't come if it's bad weather.  I haven't looked at the forecast - a couple of random showers might be okay.  

What worries me is £800 for *repairs* painting something onto a flat roof.   Proportionally, replacing the whole thing wouldn't be a whole lot more but guaranteed to last.   

The phrase 'painting over the cracks' does spring to mind. 

Got any photos? 

 

I did say I was considering changing to a full reroof in my message to them (didn't mention that in the original post) quoted £1500 plus any boards that need replacing (£2000 for all boards replaced) 
No pictures but I plan to get back up on the roof in the next couple of days so will try to get some. Apart from the leaking area it's actually in a decent condition.

ThisIsWeird said:

Thanks.

I asked about the specific product as I recalled that the stuff we had on a new roof was Flexitec 2000, and when I read the bumph found it would adhere to pretty much anything, including felt - tho' it needs a primer.

I'm not sure - I don't know if - most GRP products are designed for this.

I would really like a fairly detailed quote for something like this, such as outlining the exact procedure (eg, "clean off all moss and loose debris. Apply xyz primer to the whole existing surface. Apply X on to Y, reinforced with X matting at..." type of stuff), so that you know what to expect, and can tell if it's adequate.

I really don't know what to advise - they could be quite genuine.

What are your longer-term plans for the roof? Will you have it completely redone at some point - stripped, repaired if necessary, primed, and a completely new GRP finish? If so, I think I'd stall until then, and put the £800 towards it - and just give it a second coat of Cromapol when it's nice and sunny! I bet that will also last 5+ years. £100...

Lesson learnt here, I feel cheeky asking which products they will use as they may think I'd just go out and buy those products and do it myself or in case there is a 'trade secret' or some such. They seemed genuine to me when they came around, but I am quite trusting.
As above, I think I am leaning towards stripping/new GRP, (£1500-£2000) particularly after you mentioned how good Cromapol is I no longer need to rush into a repair. The only problem is I couldn't afford a reroof straight away and I doubt they will be happy if/when I tell them that...


p.s. Thanks so much, everyone for the help so far. Truly appreciate all of it.

ThisIsWeird

Only £2k for all new boards and full recover?! To me, there's the decision made. (Unless that quote is worryingly cheap? I don't know. But, if it is, then that's also your answer - they are cowboys.)
A delay to have it done properly will also give you the chance to have more quotes, and ask each to outline the work to be done - GRP materials, oz of matting, how many layers, sheet thickness, edge fillets, fascias, all of it - and warranties, and whether insurance-backed.
Yes, these guys could be genuine and their frustration understandable, but it certainly ain't professional. 
When was this roof first built? Any idea of the type and level of insulation in it? Is this something that should also be looked at when the time comes?

Anyhoo, if you want to stall them, use that genuine excuse - you've decided to go full recover, but can't afford it for a year or so.
If they rant, then calmly say it as it is; "Look, I've made the decision to hold out until I can afford a new roof, and I'm sorry if that messes up your plans. I will, of course, consider you then, but it's important to me to have a good working relationship with the folk I use - do you think this is helping?" In your own words. But, end with that sort of Q, and repeat it if necessary. Make them answer the elephant, rather than tell them it's there.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

daaff said:

They was in their van waiting for a decision. I told them I need time to speak with the wife (to delay a few days) and so they were expecting to start Monday. 

Sorry for the questions but the specifics define what type of contract you have  

So they sat in the van and you then came out to say "yeap I'll have the work done" before they drove away?  

daaff

ThisIsWeird said:

Only £2k for all new boards and full recover?! To me, there's the decision made. (Unless that quote is worryingly cheap? I don't know. But, if it is, then that's also your answer - they are cowboys.)
A delay to have it done properly will also give you the chance to have more quotes, and ask each to outline the work to be done - GRP materials, oz of matting, how many layers, sheet thickness, edge fillets, fascias, all of it - and warranties, and whether insurance-backed.
Yes, these guys could be genuine and their frustration understandable, but it certainly ain't professional. 
When was this roof first built? Any idea of the type and level of insulation in it? Is this something that should also be looked at when the time comes?

Anyhoo, if you want to stall them, use that genuine excuse - you've decided to go full recover, but can't afford it for a year or so.
If they rant, then calmly say it as it is; "Look, I've made the decision to hold out until I can afford a new roof, and I'm sorry if that messes up your plans. I will, of course, consider you then, but it's important to me to have a good working relationship with the folk I use - do you think this is helping?" In your own words. But, end with that sort of Q, and repeat it if necessary. Make them answer the elephant, rather than tell them it's there.

Thanks a lot. I’ve sent a similar message.

I assume not insurance backed warranty as was paying cash, so no vat  

Roof was last done 2006 (3/4 inch OSB, 3 layer torched down and solar paint, 15 year guarantee) I’ve live here 7 years, no issues until now.
I added some loosely fitting PIR insulation, (very limited access), seemed to be quite effective checking with thermal camera, but would certainly benefit from doing properly. Best get saving.

daaff

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Sorry for the questions but the specifics define what type of contract you have  

So they sat in the van and you then came out to say "yeap I'll have the work done" before they drove away?  

Tricky to say for certain, could argue both ways, I told them I wanted to delay a few days so I  could speak with wife and confirm and get money together. On that basis agreed with work this week but they knew I was going to get back to them to confirm. I text them Sunday asking to delay because of weather and saying we would probably now prefer to reroof.
I had a quick read on contracts so I know why you are asking!

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

daaff said:

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Sorry for the questions but the specifics define what type of contract you have  

So they sat in the van and you then came out to say "yeap I'll have the work done" before they drove away?  

Tricky to say for certain, could argue both ways, I told them I wanted to delay a few days so I  could speak with wife and confirm and get money together. On that basis agreed with work this week but they knew I was going to get back to them to confirm. I text them Sunday asking to delay because of weather and saying we would probably now prefer to reroof.
I had a quick read on contracts so I know why you are asking!

Thanks OP.

If you had agreed whilst they were there, or just after they had left (such as in the still sitting in the van) you would have had an off premises contract and with this type of contract they have to give a fair bit of information on paper or, if you agree, another durable medium. If you had that contract and they didn't do so I would say exercise the right to cancel that comes with the contract type and find another tradesperson/company. 

If you had that contract and they did give you all the required info on paper that would at least show they are aware of their obligations which would be a plus. 

I think it's hard to say, texting later could imply on-premises (no cancellation rights and whilst info needs to be given it doesn't have to be on paper/durable).

If they are happy for you to cancel and you are feeling uncomfortable it might be best to go with your gut, as above anyone who can start immediately is usually best avoided but with them being a new company that might in itself might not be the issue it usually is.

Tricky one really. 

ChilliBob

If I were a new company and I wanted to start making a good name for myself I don't think I'd ask for cash, or, if someone asked me, agree to it. 

Hard to fully judge that situation though.