Scaffold damage

Petra_P

Hi all, just looking for some advice please. We had scaffolding erected for some work on our house. When they took it down, a pole was dropped right through our plastic conservatory roof. It has 12 panels and is 15+ years old but fine. The guy they sent to look at it said a replacement will stick out like a sore thumb amongst the rest. The scaffolder then sent a very glib txt, wanting to know when ‘his guy’ can fix the one panel. Could others advise what is reasonable as an expectation please? We’re not trying to use this as an excuse for a new roof but neither do we think it’s fair to be looking at a patchwork roof from inside and out, when we’ve just paid a fortune to improve the appearance of the house. Any opinions very welcome!

FreeBear

Replacement of a single panel is a fair and reasonable resolution - I would have expected nothing less.

Replacing the whole roof would be "betterment", and you'd be hard pushed to get it done at their expense. If you want the other panels replaced, then it would be up to you to fund the additional work.

ButterCheese

They broke one panel so are only obliged to replace one panel.  What you are suggesting is that they replace the whole roof which is "betterment" i.e. you'll benefit from a whole new roof that looks the same, and they'll be a few thousand pounds down.

You have two options:  1. let them replace the damaged panel and put up with it looking out of place (it will weather in time and probably blend in anyway).

2. Ask them to reimburse you for a panel (which would only be £100 or so) and then pay £5k for either a new plastic roof or (as we did) a new tiled roof which would look better, be cooler in the summer, retain more heat in the winter and be much quieter when it rains.  They may or may not accept this though

Lorian

Replacing the one panel is i think fair. 

Exodi

Petra_P said:

We’re not trying to use this as an excuse for a new roof but neither do we think it’s fair to be looking at a patchwork roof from inside and out, when we’ve just paid a fortune to improve the appearance of the house

So to be clear, what is it you're expecting? It reads as if you want a new roof.

As others above, I think one panel is fair.

On the appearance point - as you say the existing roof is 15+ years old and people don't usually choose polycarbonate roofs for aesthetics.

Boohoo

Petra_P said:

Hi all, just looking for some advice please. We had scaffolding erected for some work on our house. When they took it down, a pole was dropped right through our plastic conservatory roof. It has 12 panels and is 15+ years old but fine. The guy they sent to look at it said a replacement will stick out like a sore thumb amongst the rest. The scaffolder then sent a very glib txt, wanting to know when ‘his guy’ can fix the one panel. Could others advise what is reasonable as an expectation please? We’re not trying to use this as an excuse for a new roof but neither do we think it’s fair to be looking at a patchwork roof from inside and out, when we’ve just paid a fortune to improve the appearance of the house. Any opinions very welcome!

Do you have any photos you can to show us what the damage looks like.

Also what type of design is the cons, Edwardian, Victorian or a lean to?

You mentioned 12 panels so I think the former and if they are angled then not a case of removing old one an replacing with a new one as the new one will need to be cut the same size to fit.

Twin walled or triple walled or more poly carb roof?

You mentioned the pole fell through the roof, what other damage was caused by this and did you take lots of photos for evidence/proof?

Have a web search for your type of roof that needs replacing to get a price and also what was the person's trade that came to look at your roof.

Just seen this site for ideas on costs 

https://tgsupplies.co.uk/

MyRealNameToo

Petra_P said:

Hi all, just looking for some advice please. We had scaffolding erected for some work on our house. When they took it down, a pole was dropped right through our plastic conservatory roof. It has 12 panels and is 15+ years old but fine. The guy they sent to look at it said a replacement will stick out like a sore thumb amongst the rest. The scaffolder then sent a very glib txt, wanting to know when ‘his guy’ can fix the one panel. Could others advise what is reasonable as an expectation please? We’re not trying to use this as an excuse for a new roof but neither do we think it’s fair to be looking at a patchwork roof from inside and out, when we’ve just paid a fortune to improve the appearance of the house. Any opinions very welcome!

Technically you are entitled to be indemnified, which is to be put in the same financial position as you were immediately before the incident. By strict definition they should be paying you the difference in what you could have sold it for immediately before the accident and what you could have sold it for when damaged. 

As this is exceptionally debatable without actually selling it the courts accept that the cost of repair is a sufficiently appropriate proxy for the loss in value. 

Why is it going to stick out like a sore thumb? Just because it's newer/cleaner etc? Or do you have a wrought iron roof any they are going to be inserting a UPVC panel?

Assuming its just newer then its reasonable and it will age over time. If they can't match it then it's slightly different. 

*j*

Hi Petra_P,      

I'm just wondering....if you had broken one of the panels would you just replace the broken one or would you replace them all?