Concerns about new roof

hdh74

We've just had a new roof fitted and received the bill (not a cheap job either). We have used a firm established 20+ years, on Checkatrade, good reviews. However, there were delays due to weather, then the boss who was supposed to be here on day one had a home emergency and we barely saw him, though were led to understand he's normally present. We can see an ill-fitted ridge tile (dry vent system) and awful gaps around a chimney pipe. Tiles in one part feel quite loose (bungalow DH went up to look at those he could easily reach). The roofer said he would ensure adequate insulation, replace some that got wet and some that had rodent droppings and come out with the inspector to sort certification. Inspector didn't come - the 'lads' told us he has been sent photographs instead. No insulation has been replaced or topped up and there are clearly sections where insulation is absent altogether as they were removed by DH due to being soaked before the work commenced.

DH has emailed and we are awaiting response but would value any thoughts if this chap is reticent to do the work as promised as we have contacted him about a few concerns along the way and felt fobbed off - probably due to his personal issues but we need this to be right.
Would appreciate any advice. Thank you.

grumbler

Gaps around the pipe are normal IMO. Could be made smaller for aesthetic reason, but this wouldn't change anything in terms of water protection. Ridge could be done nicer too.

Not enough information about the insulation. Did it really need topping up? I think it's a requirement to make it up to the current regulations when re-tiling the roof, but replacing because of some droppings hardly makes any sense. If it's not thick enough (25-30cm(?) for mineral wool), contact your council building inspector who signed this off without even looking.

And, as said here many times, all your expectations have to fixed in the original quotation, not just discussed.  And 'good reviews on Checkatrade, AFAIK, are worthless as Checkatrade exists on the members' fees. That  said, they offer some sort of 12-month 'guarantee up to £1000' - contact them if you feel so.

hdh74

We don't know if it's been signed off yet. We're waiting to hear from the roofer who told us twice that the inspector was coming then told us no more. The lads said the boss told them to send photos for the inspector instead but that's all we know. There are areas where there is no insulation. The rest is probably thick enough. We thought the stuff that was thick with rat droppings should be exchanged for hygiene reasons and the roofer put in writing during the quotation stage that he would do so. Sorry if I didn't explain that properly.

Phil4432

Checkatrade are worthless.  Is the trade a part of any builders or roofers association?  Again, some of these organizations are useless, but I've had good advice from the Confederation of Roofing Contractors.  If the roofer is registered with them, that might be a good place to start.