Roofer replaced soil pipe flashing on slate roof today – gaps around collar & ragged rubber trim loo

DizzyDizzyRobot

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81910938#Comment_81910938

Paid by bank transfer, a copy of the invoice and a WhatsApp chat screenshot confirming he received the money sufficient?

I gave him a text today to chase up if he was coming this week, he did get very aggressive telling me it was fine and asking me what I expect him to do, I pointed out the comments about the missing tiles, dodgy cut on the rubber and missing tiles on the left.

I got a "I wish I took my cement back out the ridge… something something… gave your money back" type rant, paraphrasing obviously.

I politely asked him to refrain from raising his voice to me and he said he would be around tomorrow to look at it and what does he need. I told him he will need some tiles to replace the missing ones.

When I pointed out the hatchet job on the rubber and suggested the instruction videos suggest it should be cut out to size, I was asked if I was telling him how to do his job, I responded, that it obviously isn't right and that if he continues to be aggressive (he was getting quite shouty at this point) I would rather he didn't return and I'd raise it with CheckaTrade.

Anyway, he says he is coming tomorrow but based on his history of saying he will turn up and then not doing so, I won't hold my breath.

At this point I'm not sure if I want him and his 3 guys badgering me about how it's a perfect job in my back garden but let's see what happens aye 😂

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81911151#Comment_81911151

Are all these comms by text, or do some include phone? For the latter, write down the exchange as verbatim as possible.

Do you have Legal Protection in your house insurance? If so, call them up for advice on how to handle this. Get the most concise and accurate account of the whole issue sorted first - point by point, so you can refer quickly and easily to each bit.

You are doing the right thing by telling them of your concerns, and allowing them a chance to sort it. They are not doing the right thing by how they are responding. Based on what you have told us, I am virtually certain that you'd be within your rights to get another (proper) roofer to sort this properly, and then sue the first guy for every penny you paid him. They have demonstrated incompetence, a lack of professionalism, and a breach of trust. But run that past your LP first - you'll want them to have your back.

Keep us posted.

DizzyDizzyRobot

Well, he didn't come on Friday, I actually got a text this morning saying he will be here 10am Monday.

I basically text him saying I no longer wanted him to work on my property and that my intention was to raise it with CheckaTrade and it ended with him saying "Don't think for a second I'll let anyone try ruin my business that's a fact !!! so good luck to you lad".

I'm not sure what rules / laws are for posting text chats so I won't do that for now.

WIAWSNB

You need a roofer out to report on this work, and to quote for doing it correctly.

Based on this, you report the first guy to Checkatrade. You include the texts as evidence of both his unprofessionalism, and as justification for not giving him an opportunity to redo the work.

You should be given a full refund from CT. And you write an honest review with pics and texts.

That, at least, is what you should do.

I've asked - do you have LegProt?

If you are at all concerned about the 'nature' of his threat, have a word with your local Bobby.

DizzyDizzyRobot

Unfortunately no legal protection,

Last I heard CheckaTrade are giving the other side 6 days to submit evidence

I got recommendation on the local fb page, and got them in to fix the work as I wasn't comfortable leaving it in that state for an extended period of time.

I think it looks a lot better now anyway.

It's a shame I can't share a before video of the chimney, there was a field growing up there.

stuart45

If Checkatrade ask you why you got another firm in to do the work tell them it was leaking into the house. They prefer you to wait until the issue is resolved with the original contractor, as they also sometimes want their own surveyor to check it.

WIAWSNB

And also mention the dismissive and aggressive attitude - you lost trust in him.

Tbh, I think your pics speak for themselves.

Well done for tackling this.

And get LP added for pity's sake…

DizzyDizzyRobot

Progress update:

The complaint progressed to the point where they are sending out someone to check the work under the Guarentee.

As part of that process apparently they tell the company in question and disable their page on CheckaTrade.

I probably should have known this in advance but I got a couple angry lads banging on my door and when I went out they were saying I was shutting their business down, I simply pointed out they are shutting their business down by doing a sh*t job.

Basically ended with them telling me I will "be a sorry man" and "they know where I live, I don't know where they live" etc.

They also said they are gypsies, I could tell when the second lad spoke but I had never spoken to him in the past, I suspect that might be why the first one always did the talking.

Usual steps taken, CheckaTrade notified, I was initially angry with them because I had told them I didn't want further contact with the company so was surprised when they came round saying CheckaTrade told them to come, they said they had told them not to contact me.

Police notified in case they actually do anything.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81936752#Comment_81936752

Police notified in case they actually do anything.

^That's the key bit.

If you haven't already then invest in some CCTV/doorbell camera so there's recorded evidence if they did come back.

WIAWSNB

Second what S62 says - get a CCTV asap. If you'd had one, it would have recorded their blatant threats.

And write down everything else you know about them - the names they use, their van's reg number, etc.