Legal Issue with New Roof

Crafty424

I wasn’t sure what part of the forum to post this, but I had a new roof put on my house last month that cost me £13.5k and I’m having lots of issues with it. I really did my homework before deciding who to go with having been ripped oof by roofers in the past, so it’s even more disappointing I’m having problems. The company that did it is a member of the government’s Competent Person Scheme which enables them to self certify their own building regs and is a member of the NFRC.

After completing the roof I noticed I had frost building up on the inside of my roof space during the recent cold snap which has now turned into really bad condensation. I never had these issues with my old roof but then I didn’t really go up there during cold weather. After going into the loft I have noticed that the roof space hasn’t got the ventilation that the building regs require. There is no ventilation at the ridge despite being told there was, and the managing director of the roofing company signed off the building regs for insulation and ventilation without actually inspecting the roof. Also the insulation is not the required level. I have a contract with this company stating I would get a roof that complies with current building regs.

Also I have a small amount of water ingress on a valley.

I have contacted the roofing company and pointed out these problems with photos and so far I’m being ignored. I paid them before Christmas when they finished the job unfortunately but surely it’s fraudulent to sign off government regulations without actually complying with them?

I want to give the company a chance to put things right but so far I’m being ignored. I think the next step will be to contact the NFRC myself about this, but can anyone advise on this issue or have experience of a similar problem. Unfortunately I don’t have legal cover with my home insurance. Thank you.

eddddy

As you suggest, you can make a complaint to the NRFC (or maybe start by threatening to make a complaint to the NRFC.)  


FWIW, in similar circumstances a few years back, I phoned the Local Authority Building Control (who police Building Regulations compliance), and they suggested that I send them photos of the work done by the 'Competent Person'.

Building Control replied informally by email saying that, based on the photos, they didn't believe that the work met building regulations. I forwarded that email to the company concerned, as a way of putting more pressure on them.

tacpot12

If you have home insurance, check to see whether you have Legal Expenses cover. If you do, you can also call the legal helpline provided by your insurer for professional legal advice. 

I agree with the advice from Eddddy. You will probably need an expert report on the work, and I think Iwould be inclined to get that before the contractor makes any attempt to remediate the problems, if they offer to do so. 

sheramber

tacpot12 said:

If you have home insurance, check to see whether you have Legal Expenses cover. If you do, you can also call the legal helpline provided by your insurer for professional legal advice. 

I agree with the advice from Eddddy. You will probably need an expert report on the work, and I think Iwould be inclined to get that before the contractor makes any attempt to remediate the problems, if they offer to do so. 

OP has already stated  in his post that he does not have legal cover