Scaffolding Removal

Frugal_Poodles

Elderly relative has scaffolding up at their house following the previous roofer walking off the job. We now need to get this scaffolding down in order to allow a new contractor to complete the job. The Scaffolder initially promised a variety of dates to remove the scaffolding but ultimately this has not happened.

As a result we have now lost our slot with the new roofing contractor and my relative has had a roof without any tiles for the past three weeks. This is now beginning to affect their health and well being. How can I get the scaffolder to remove the scaffolding? His latest gambit yesterday morning was to blame delays on non-payment by the original roofer which had then morphed by the afternoon to blame my relative for non-payment. It feels as if we are trapped by the scaffolder and are being coerced into paying off the scaffolder in order to allow work on the roof to recommence.

I have been on to the C.A.B. but they haven't offered much beyond platitudes. Any advice appreciated on either dealing with the scaffolding issue or other sources of help.

Thanks in advance.

born_again

Who paid for the scaffolding?
Was it all part of the agreement with the roofer?

Odd as to why 2nd roofer has cancelled slot, given scaffolding is in place (OK, not theirs) 

Okell

What's the reason the second roofer refuses to use the scaffolding in place?

Why did previous roofer walk off the job?

Grumpy_chap

Frugal_Poodles said:

Elderly relative has scaffolding up at their house following the previous roofer walking off the job. We now need to get this scaffolding down in order to allow a new contractor to complete the job. The Scaffolder initially promised a variety of dates to remove the scaffolding but ultimately this has not happened.

As a result we have now lost our slot with the new roofing contractor and my relative has had a roof without any tiles for the past three weeks. This is now beginning to affect their health and well being. How can I get the scaffolder to remove the scaffolding? His latest gambit yesterday morning was to blame delays on non-payment by the original roofer which had then morphed by the afternoon to blame my relative for non-payment. It feels as if we are trapped by the scaffolder and are being coerced into paying off the scaffolder in order to allow work on the roof to recommence.

I have been on to the C.A.B. but they haven't offered much beyond platitudes. Any advice appreciated on either dealing with the scaffolding issue or other sources of help.

Thanks in advance.

What was the payment made to the original roofer?  Has the whole job been paid?  If not, it may well be that the relative does need to pay the original scaffold company for the removal at least.

Why did the original roofer walk off the job?

Why was the second roofer not able to complete the job, albeit on the scaffold from the first roofer?  The second roofer could have inspected the scaffold prior to use.

Brie

Someone on Mumsnet (yes, I know....) had a similar problem solved by ringing up the scaffolder and saying  "Thanks for sending the lads out to get the scaffolding down.  oh yes, they're here right now removing it all into their truck" 

All a lie of course but it got the scaffolder to their place pretty quickly. 

Frugal_Poodles

Okell said:

What's the reason the second roofer refuses to use the scaffolding in place?

Why did previous roofer walk off the job?

After starting work he 'found' additional work which doubled the original quote. Roofer then asked for the original amount to be paid upfront on threat of walking off the job. Relative paid out 95% of the original quote. At this point my relative called me and I asked the contractor for a breakdown of the additional work. He promised an invoice, never appeared and his workers went missing for three days before the boss turned up and quit. Once I started digging I found the company has no registered address, the website is under construction and the bank transfer for the payment went to a different name than that on the invoice.

Frugal_Poodles

Okell said:

What's the reason the second roofer refuses to use the scaffolding in place?

Why did previous roofer walk off the job?

Doubled his original quote once he'd stripped the roof. Promised me a breakdown of additional work, never materialised and then ghosted us once asked for breakdown of additional work and pulled his workers off site and quit two days later.

Not sure, boss of second contractor went on holiday and apparently didn't brief his workers as a result they were unwilling to make a call on using the existing scaffolding.

Frugal_Poodles

born_again said:

Who paid for the scaffolding?
Was it all part of the agreement with the roofer?

Odd as to why 2nd roofer has cancelled slot, given scaffolding is in place (OK, not theirs) 

Scaffolding cost was included in the original quote. Relative has no contract with the scaffolders.

born_again

Frugal_Poodles said:

born_again said:

Who paid for the scaffolding?
Was it all part of the agreement with the roofer?

Odd as to why 2nd roofer has cancelled slot, given scaffolding is in place (OK, not theirs) 

Scaffolding cost was included in the original quote. Relative has no contract with the scaffolders.

So in that case, they take it down & chase the person who asked for it to be put up. I guess they are not bothered, as the bill is ramping up.
just make sure that relative does not pay for it. Given they have already paid 95% of a bill.

On the bill how much of the work did they do?

DE_612183

born_again said:

Frugal_Poodles said:

born_again said:

Who paid for the scaffolding?
Was it all part of the agreement with the roofer?

Odd as to why 2nd roofer has cancelled slot, given scaffolding is in place (OK, not theirs) 

Scaffolding cost was included in the original quote. Relative has no contract with the scaffolders.

So in that case, they take it down & chase the person who asked for it to be put up. I guess they are not bothered, as the bill is ramping up.
just make sure that relative does not pay for it. Given they have already paid 95% of a bill.

On the bill how much of the work did they do?

I think he's tried this, but the scaffolder has not kept appointments - perhaps he's happy to leave it in situ until he needs it's for another job. 

Alderbank

DE_612183 said:

born_again said:

Frugal_Poodles said:

born_again said:

Who paid for the scaffolding?
Was it all part of the agreement with the roofer?

Odd as to why 2nd roofer has cancelled slot, given scaffolding is in place (OK, not theirs) 

Scaffolding cost was included in the original quote. Relative has no contract with the scaffolders.

So in that case, they take it down & chase the person who asked for it to be put up. I guess they are not bothered, as the bill is ramping up.
just make sure that relative does not pay for it. Given they have already paid 95% of a bill.

On the bill how much of the work did they do?

I think he's tried this, but the scaffolder has not kept appointments - perhaps he's happy to leave it in situ until he needs it's for another job. 

Yes exactly this. That's how scaffolders work. Much cheaper to leave it in place until needed then take it directly to the next job.

Very few roofers possess or set up their own scaffolding, they expect to arrive on site and find the third party scaffolding up and ready to go. Their site manager will be trained and competent to carry out the required safety inspections before use each day.

OP, there are H&S hazards with scaffolding in place unnecessarily. There are security risks to your property of course and risks to kids who climb on it. If they fall it is your responsibility as the occupier. At a very minimum make sure all access ladders are removed.