Opinion on roof work

battenburg88

I did manage to get through to the legal helpline. They said much the same as you, in that, if the builder wants to undertake the work I would have to have a very good reason for them not to be given another chance. And those reasons are hard to prove. So then we need to come to an amicable agreement of some form or formally escalate things.

Earlier today I requested that we pause any further work so that I can get a second opinion on his proposal. I also said that I would pay for everything else but not for this part until we agree a way forward.

This has triggered another response, where I have been accused of being spiteful, obstructive and like I am retaliating for something (surely the only thing I can retaliate for is the state they have left the roof). Its not been a perfect project - there have been delays, I have changed by mind about things a few times. But overall I thought we were getting on pretty well until I questioned this.

If I cut through all of that though, he is obviously still keen to implement his fix and has said he will offer a guarantee on the proposal for the low pitch part of the roof. He has also said he will allow someone to inspect the leadwork and make adjustments if required. So although its another quite unpleasant piece of correspondence, there is something there. And based on call to the legal helpline, I can't stop them or then it would seemingly escalate to a dispute.

It feels unsatisfactory, because I have lost confidence in their ability to resolve it. Its also not nice to have accusations thrown at me, when all I actually said was I wanted to pause to get advice on his proposal. But it seems like maybe I have to let them do it if that's what they want - there was no obvious sense in the email that he would be receptive to another contractor doing anything though I didn't ask explicitly.

WIAWSNB

This guy is not impressive. You have good reason, full justification, for not accepting his proposal without first having it confirmed by someone you do fully trust.

The standard of his current work is demonstrably unacceptable. The issues aren't at all subtle, but glaring. Left as it is, it is bound to cause issues in just the medium term. As a DIYer, I can see this - timber rot and potential leaks.

(Put it this way - you could post an honest review complete with photos and examples of his attitude. Who would choose him after that?)

So, is there any chance of getting that trusted opinion from your other builder? Even a quote for him to sort it?

If not, then you are in the position of this guy vs the other two who have visited, and it doesn't help that the others didn't agree with eachother either...

This has to be your call. I would suggest if you tell the guy to hold off for a week or so while you check out the best solution first, you'd be ok doing this - he couldn't argue. I'd go as far as saying his repeated poor attitude is enough justification for terminating your contract right now - who the heck should have to put up with this?! - but you'd ideally need to be able to 'prove' it's as you've said on here. So, can you?

Bottom line is he doesn't have a leg to stand on - you haven't paid him, and he has no chance of forcing this issue due to his demonstrable poor standard, and attitude. He'd fail if he tried.

But you obviously need to be fair, and pay him for everything he has done correctly.

Ideally you'd want a definitive solution outlined that he would need to fulfill. If he fails, you don't pay. Can you get this?

Frankly, I'd also contact the BCO who signed this off, and be ready to escalate that too.

But short of someone on here, or a proper pro where you are, outlining the 'correct' procedure, I'm afraid I'm stumped.

I don't understand why this is hard - it ain't rocket science! What am I missing with your roof? What's the awkward bit that's stumping everyone?!

caprikid1

Wow, I dressed lead better than that the first time I tried. That is appalling.