Issue with Roofer

newbieni

Hi,

I’m not sure if this is the correct place to post this—please move if required.

I recently employed a roofer to carry out a roof replacement which included replacing worn tiles, installing new underfelt, and replacing the flat roof. I found the roofer online and did a reasonable amount of research on them.

The roofer has already been paid 50% of the agreed amount and, after many delays, has declared the job “more or less complete.”

However, a surveyor inspected the work today and described it as “extremely rough.” Some of the roofing tiles are broken, the valleys are poorly finished, and the flat roof does not meet building regulations in several areas, including inadequate ventilation. A further structural issue with the garage roof (which also looks very poor) was deemed to be of a substandard quality that does not meet regulations. There are a list of other issues.

In addition, internal damage has been caused: carpets have been ruined because dust sheets were not used, rubble has been left inside, and the front garden has been damaged due to rubble being dumped there before the skip arrived. Even now, the garden is full of debris.

The surveyor has recommended a full roof inspection, with outstanding work completed by an approved roofer recommended by the roofing inspector. He also noted that, given the materials already on-site, it’s likely I won’t lose money on the 50% already paid. However, he strongly advised that no further payments should be made and deemed the roofer a "disgrace".

I have informed the roofer, who was unhappy and dismissed the survey without even seeing it. He then sent a text claiming, “it’s obvious you don’t have the money.”

At this point, I am trying to establish the best next steps. I have been concerned about this roofer for weeks, and the survey has confirmed my fears. It’s clear that they do not have the ability to bring the roof up to the required standard. At this stage, I simply want them to remove their scaffolding and skip and leave. I will then arrange the recommended inspection and hopefully engage a competent roofer that is approved by the inspector to bring the work up to standard.

Does anyone have any advice? I want to deal with this fairly, but I also want the job completed properly. 

Boohoo

newbieni said:

Hi,

I’m not sure if this is the correct place to post this—please move if required.

I recently employed a roofer to carry out a roof replacement which included replacing worn tiles, installing new underfelt, and replacing the flat roof. I found the roofer online and did a reasonable amount of research on them.

The roofer has already been paid 50% of the agreed amount and, after many delays, has declared the job “more or less complete.”

However, a surveyor inspected the work today and described it as “extremely rough.” Some of the roofing tiles are broken, the valleys are poorly finished, and the flat roof does not meet building regulations in several areas, including inadequate ventilation. A further structural issue with the garage roof (which also looks very poor) was deemed to be of a substandard quality that does not meet regulations. There are a list of other issues.

In addition, internal damage has been caused: carpets have been ruined because dust sheets were not used, rubble has been left inside, and the front garden has been damaged due to rubble being dumped there before the skip arrived. Even now, the garden is full of debris.

The surveyor has recommended a full roof inspection, with outstanding work completed by an approved roofer recommended by the roofing inspector. He also noted that, given the materials already on-site, it’s likely I won’t lose money on the 50% already paid. However, he strongly advised that no further payments should be made and deemed the roofer a "disgrace".

I have informed the roofer, who was unhappy and dismissed the survey without even seeing it. He then sent a text claiming, “it’s obvious you don’t have the money.”

At this point, I am trying to establish the best next steps. I have been concerned about this roofer for weeks, and the survey has confirmed my fears. It’s clear that they do not have the ability to bring the roof up to the required standard. At this stage, I simply want them to remove their scaffolding and skip and leave. I will then arrange the recommended inspection and hopefully engage a competent roofer that is approved by the inspector to bring the work up to standard.

Does anyone have any advice? I want to deal with this fairly, but I also want the job completed properly. 

Why have got a survey done when the works are not completed yet?

Also I don't understand how carpets get ruined unless the ceiling is damaged. Maybe you can elaborate a bit more please.

newbieni

Boohoo said:

newbieni said:

Hi,

I’m not sure if this is the correct place to post this—please move if required.

I recently employed a roofer to carry out a roof replacement which included replacing worn tiles, installing new underfelt, and replacing the flat roof. I found the roofer online and did a reasonable amount of research on them.

The roofer has already been paid 50% of the agreed amount and, after many delays, has declared the job “more or less complete.”

However, a surveyor inspected the work today and described it as “extremely rough.” Some of the roofing tiles are broken, the valleys are poorly finished, and the flat roof does not meet building regulations in several areas, including inadequate ventilation. A further structural issue with the garage roof (which also looks very poor) was deemed to be of a substandard quality that does not meet regulations. There are a list of other issues.

In addition, internal damage has been caused: carpets have been ruined because dust sheets were not used, rubble has been left inside, and the front garden has been damaged due to rubble being dumped there before the skip arrived. Even now, the garden is full of debris.

The surveyor has recommended a full roof inspection, with outstanding work completed by an approved roofer recommended by the roofing inspector. He also noted that, given the materials already on-site, it’s likely I won’t lose money on the 50% already paid. However, he strongly advised that no further payments should be made and deemed the roofer a "disgrace".

I have informed the roofer, who was unhappy and dismissed the survey without even seeing it. He then sent a text claiming, “it’s obvious you don’t have the money.”

At this point, I am trying to establish the best next steps. I have been concerned about this roofer for weeks, and the survey has confirmed my fears. It’s clear that they do not have the ability to bring the roof up to the required standard. At this stage, I simply want them to remove their scaffolding and skip and leave. I will then arrange the recommended inspection and hopefully engage a competent roofer that is approved by the inspector to bring the work up to standard.

Does anyone have any advice? I want to deal with this fairly, but I also want the job completed properly. 

Why have got a survey done when the works are not completed yet?

Also I don't understand how carpets get ruined unless the ceiling is damaged. Maybe you can elaborate a bit more please.

The work was completed according to the builder with the exception of removing the rubble. Also, the roofer was demanding full payment.

They were in the attic room and this was where the carpet was damaged.

WIAWSNB

Hi Newbieni.
Hellish situation for you.
It's good that it appears you have enough material there to justify the down payment.
Who is the 'surveyor'? Is it someone you had in mind to use all along, or is it the LA's BCO? Or did you call them in due to your concerns?
What you have described sounds serious and extensive enough to state you legitimately have no trust in this builders ability, so should be able to dismiss him. (Usually you'd be expected to allow a fair chance to put things right). This is coupled with his disingenuous claim about your ability to pay - that reveals a lot about this guy's actual character.
Your relationship has fully broken down, and you rightfully have no trust in him.
What you propose, then, seems fair - he is dismissed, and you call it quits. The issue will be to get him to accept this in good grace, so he doesn't try and, say, recover his materials.
What to do? If the BCO hasn't been out (I understand a full roof recover should have BC oversight?), then I'd call him out. If they agree with 'your'surveyor, then that's going to be hard for the roofer to argue against (and he'll have a black mark at the LA...)
What to do?
1) Check your house insurance for Legal Protection. If you have it, great - call them up and explain the situation. Be succinct and factual - and do not be emotive. They will guide you on the correct legal approach.
2) Get the BCO out. Hopefully he'll confirm the unacceptable standard.
3) (Guided by your LP) put in writing - email, for example - a list of your concerns to the roofer. A succinct list. Everything, starting with the failures in his work, then the damage and mess, and finally his disrespectful excuse re your ability to pay. Conclude with 'Based on the standard of your work, and your resulting attitude, I have to state that no trust remains in our relationship, and that our contract now has to end.' Add that you will have a new roofer to assess the work required to remedy, and the cost. You anticipate that what you've paid out so far may cover the cost of the materials on site, in which case you'd be prepared to call it 'quits', but you'll need to confirm. He is not to attend your property until a decision is made and agreed on - you will call the police if he tries. Ask about the scaffolding - if it's an innocent third party, then you'd be happy to continue with them (if you are).
4) Get a CCTV camera up to cover your house in case he tries anything.
5) Have the above confirmed by someone who knows...

stuart45

If you don't pay him the other 50% it will be up to him to take legal action to get his cash. 
Have you got a written contract?

newbieni

stuart45 said:

If you don't pay him the other 50% it will be up to him to take legal action to get his cash. 
Have you got a written contract?

No written contract.

Following the survey fail, I have spoken to the building control person overseeing the project who advised that there were a number of red flags regarding this roofer.

stuart45

You've had some good advice from your surveyor, who has seen more of the roof than me, so I would withhold the rest of the cash. I'm not a legal expert, and there isn't a written contract, but generally it's advised that a tradesman is given the opportunity to correct any faults. However, it's not always practical if they seem incapable of doing the work properly, and you don't trust them to do a decent job.

WIAWSNB

Trust has gone. Trust in the roofer's ability to do a decent job, and trust in his integrity - trying to blame the customer's finances for not paying. You do not have to work with this cove again. 

If you have LP - call them. NOW.

Write your message to the roofer. Be fair - at the end, do say that the value of what he's done, and the materials he has provided, will be added up, and you intend to pay him if there's any outstanding amount - less any additional costs that may be accrued due to having to redo any of his work. He will need to be patient until the job is completed, and the final costs arrived at. 

Boohoo

OP do you have any photos of the work and damage done?

Do you have a copy of the report to put on here with your info redacted?

newbieni

The roofer seems to have vanished leaving behind some of their tools, scaffolding and a skip.

newbieni

**Update** Nothing from the roofer for three days who had inandated me with multiple messages per day looking for payment.