Getting Scaffolding Removed From Property

newbieni

Hi,

I posted elsewhere that I employed a roofer to re-roof my house. They were paid for 50% of the job to cover materials etc, the final 50% was to be paid upon a survey. The work failed a survey, failed a subsequent roofing inspection and failed building control. The recommendation was to withhold all future payments and employ a new roofer. 

The roofer who was contacting me multiple times per day for the final payment has disappeared since Wednesday when I advised of the survey results. They've left behind scaffolding, a skip, tools and a huge mess. I contacted the scaffolding company who are refusing to remove the scaffolding until they're paid by the roofer and they've said that could mean it remains on my property indefinitely. I am not living on the property at present but today I spotted two individuals working on the scaffolding, when I approached them they initially said they worked for the company before offering me £300 to buy it. I obviously declined but they said they would be back. What do I do?

lincroft1710

newbieni said:

I am not living on the property at present but today I spotted two individuals working on the scaffolding, when I approached them they initially said they worked for the company before offering me £300 to buy it. I obviously declined but they said they would be back. What do I do?

If you are implying that these individuals were attempting to steal the scaffolding, then tell the scaffolding company.

Grumpy_chap

lincroft1710 said:

If you are implying that these individuals were attempting to steal the scaffolding, then tell the scaffolding company.

This^^^

Also tell the scaffolding company that the scaffold remains wholly at their risk.  Risk includes theft, damage, or the scaffold being affected by wind / weather, or the scaffold conditions deteriorating and falling causing damage or injury.

newbieni

lincroft1710 said:

newbieni said:

I am not living on the property at present but today I spotted two individuals working on the scaffolding, when I approached them they initially said they worked for the company before offering me £300 to buy it. I obviously declined but they said they would be back. What do I do?

If you are implying that these individuals were attempting to steal the scaffolding, then tell the scaffolding company.

Yes, it seemed like I arrived unexpectedly.

GDB2222

If you’re getting a new roofer in, surely you want to keep the scaffolding? 

Boohoo

GDB2222 said:

If you’re getting a new roofer in, surely you want to keep the scaffolding? 

That's a good idea but what will the new roofer do if the scaffolding company arrive and dismantle their scaffolding and take it away?

That would mean the the new roofer would have to arrange new scaffolding asap to complete the the job.

It may not happen but something to bear in mind.

eskbanker

I'd have thought that any new professional roofer, who'll inevitably be aware of the situation if they're having to repair or complete a botched job by a competitor, would run a mile rather than having to rely on scaffolding commissioned (but unpaid for) by their predecessor, unless they're able and willing to come to some arrangement with the scaffolding company (which will need to be factored into any quote/estimate)?

Grumpy_chap

eskbanker said:

I'd have thought that any new professional roofer, who'll inevitably be aware of the situation if they're having to repair or complete a botched job by a competitor, would run a mile rather than having to rely on scaffolding commissioned (but unpaid for) by their predecessor, unless they're able and willing to come to some arrangement with the scaffolding company (which will need to be factored into any quote/estimate)?

I agree.
The new roofer will be responsible for inspecting and taking liability for the fitness for purpose of that scaffolding, both whether it was originally designed to do the job and whether it remains suitably robust to do the job, even allowing for weather or individuals who may have removed parts of the structure.
In fact, with the report of persons unknown having tampered with the scaffold, I do not see how any competent scaffolder with the capability to certify that scaffold for continued use would be able to apply that necessary SCAFF-TAG.
The only safe thing to do is for that scaffold to come down and new erected (which could, of course, use the same actual poles, clips and boards).

Richmc

Contact the scaffolding company, give them 7 days to remove it, after that tell them you will be charging them rental of say £50 a week until it's removed, get a solicitor to draft a letter confirming this.











350

Silver_Shark

Richmc said:

Contact the scaffolding company, give them 7 days to remove it, after that tell them you will be charging them rental of say £50 a week until it's removed, get a solicitor to draft a letter confirming this.

350

That worked for me in a similar situation.

GDB2222

Boohoo said:

GDB2222 said:

If you’re getting a new roofer in, surely you want to keep the scaffolding? 

That's a good idea but what will the new roofer do if the scaffolding company arrive and dismantle their scaffolding and take it away?

That would mean the the new roofer would have to arrange new scaffolding asap to complete the the job.

It may not happen but something to bear in mind.

I would at least try to reach an agreement with the scaffolding company.