Roof investigation and scaffolding quote

Roofrack77

I've been struggling for years to get a recurring leak fixed in my roof which seems to be around a chimney breast/one end of the main ridge. The house is really tall and has a complex roofline, and the area that needs investigation needs scaffolding to safely access it. 

I've had a quote of £1500 to put up scaffolding and investigate, then repairs will be extra. Does this seem reasonable?

I'm a little wary as the same roofer charged me £550 to repair four tiles on an area that could be reached by a ladder and the job took about half an hour. I only agreed to it as you can't find decent roofers round here for love nor money, they're well-reviewed, and I really needed the job doing before rain set in. 

jewellery10

Get separate quotes for scaffolding and do the job yourself! Had the same problem and was ripped off in the same way, Have still got a leak, and as a 66 year old with arthritis I am gearing myself up to do the job better than rip-off builders.

They have got us by the B*lls. Do you have any young, honest, trustworthy and physically able relatives who would be willing to have a go? One issue is 'Elf & Safety - but after watching a roofer walk across a roof carrying a running chainsaw with no PPE, nothing surprises me nowadays...

jewellery10

PS Watch any YouTube videos that are pertinent on how to investigate and effect an repair!

Ksw3

We paid about that to have the lead flashing around our chimney replaced as we were getting leaks and a few tiles replaced. Scaffolding on it's own is quite expensive from what I can remember.

MysteryMe

Get other quotes, use roofers who are members of a reputable trade association or part of a properly vetted scheme like those operated by WHICH or Trading Standards. Scaffolding is expensive and you say your property is tall and not conventional roofline so it's going to cost more. Good quality leadwork is a skill, if that's what you need doing, it's not like general roofing and again not going to be cheap.