Problems with a Roofer.....
Discussion
Hello all.
I bought a very old Semi last year (bout 100 year old I think) that was pretty tired and needed doing up.
The roof while overall is in ok health has a leak where the apex meets the chimney.
I have boarded out my loft so can now get right upto the chimney face and the roof.
Initially I had a fly by night type roofer give me some pretty good images and feedback that the leading was not running under the tiles, no soakers as I understand it.
Sadly while he was a nice lad he was an absolute disaster to try and get him to come and do the work, the last attempt he came and left as his transit had been broken into and he was driving it around with his mate holding the side door on.
I got a written quote from another local company who said everything seemed fine with the roof bar the pointing ( old ash mortar long past its best) and ridge tiles.
I spoke to him on the phone directly asking about the leadwork and the way the water was leaking down the chimney face inside the loft.
Said it was fine and if not all work is warrantied yada yada yada.
He carried out the work a few weeks ago of repointing and resetting tiles while reinstating the caps and pots on the chimney.
Pointing is messy tbh not that impressive.
fast forward a month and this weekend we had a fair amount of rain and the water was pouring through the roof and down the face of the chimney exactly as previous.
I'm furious.
I am due to meet him tomorrow at the property.
What are my options because as I see it he has carried out works which do not resolve the problem i employed him for and I cannot see him doing the leadwork ( if this is the cause) without more outlay which I feel is unfair.
Where do I stand?
I bought a very old Semi last year (bout 100 year old I think) that was pretty tired and needed doing up.
The roof while overall is in ok health has a leak where the apex meets the chimney.
I have boarded out my loft so can now get right upto the chimney face and the roof.
Initially I had a fly by night type roofer give me some pretty good images and feedback that the leading was not running under the tiles, no soakers as I understand it.
Sadly while he was a nice lad he was an absolute disaster to try and get him to come and do the work, the last attempt he came and left as his transit had been broken into and he was driving it around with his mate holding the side door on.
I got a written quote from another local company who said everything seemed fine with the roof bar the pointing ( old ash mortar long past its best) and ridge tiles.
I spoke to him on the phone directly asking about the leadwork and the way the water was leaking down the chimney face inside the loft.
Said it was fine and if not all work is warrantied yada yada yada.
He carried out the work a few weeks ago of repointing and resetting tiles while reinstating the caps and pots on the chimney.
Pointing is messy tbh not that impressive.
fast forward a month and this weekend we had a fair amount of rain and the water was pouring through the roof and down the face of the chimney exactly as previous.
I'm furious.
I am due to meet him tomorrow at the property.
What are my options because as I see it he has carried out works which do not resolve the problem i employed him for and I cannot see him doing the leadwork ( if this is the cause) without more outlay which I feel is unfair.
Where do I stand?
Under an umbrella :-)
If he's coming to visit you that's a good sign. Point out he's done work as you both agreed but it's not resolved the issue. I'd ask him to check the lead work foc and repair it foc or you meet him 50/50.
It's sometimes easier to get on with people to achieve an end result and a dry roof in this weather.
If he's coming to visit you that's a good sign. Point out he's done work as you both agreed but it's not resolved the issue. I'd ask him to check the lead work foc and repair it foc or you meet him 50/50.
It's sometimes easier to get on with people to achieve an end result and a dry roof in this weather.
Has the pointing held? As that is what you paid him to do.
As for expecting him carry out work for free, why? I presume he did not charge you for visiting site and inspecting the roof?
I could understand if the pointing had failed and needed raking out and re-doing however if he needs to replace the lead then that's a separate job that he can legitimately charge for.
At least you know that your roof will need little/no maintenance for the next few years!
As for expecting him carry out work for free, why? I presume he did not charge you for visiting site and inspecting the roof?
I could understand if the pointing had failed and needed raking out and re-doing however if he needs to replace the lead then that's a separate job that he can legitimately charge for.
At least you know that your roof will need little/no maintenance for the next few years!
bungz said:
He quoted the work to resolve the problem of a leaking roof.
The quote specifically says the lead work on the roof is fine.
The pointing looks poor.
And my roof still leaks.
I am the best part of a grand lighter.
Just wondered what someone else would do as its not small sums of money.
Great more infoThe quote specifically says the lead work on the roof is fine.
The pointing looks poor.
And my roof still leaks.
I am the best part of a grand lighter.
Just wondered what someone else would do as its not small sums of money.
£1000 for what exactly? Guessing access and the work, how much pointing was needed? (for reference this sum seems expensive)
How do you know the lead is 100% causing the issues? Based on the other roofers opinion?
Get some photos up of the pointing, lead and anything else you think may seem relevant.
k it up bigtime.Looks a lot like the roof of my previous house which had missing lead, blown pointing, failed battens and marginal felt.
The pointing definitely needed to be fixed and it doesn't look like the lead in the second photo is doing anything to stop water getting between the chimney and the roof. It will need fixing.
Don't use the second roofer though, it looks like he has tried to do the pointing with a shovel. While blindfolded. With a hangover!
The pointing definitely needed to be fixed and it doesn't look like the lead in the second photo is doing anything to stop water getting between the chimney and the roof. It will need fixing.
Don't use the second roofer though, it looks like he has tried to do the pointing with a shovel. While blindfolded. With a hangover!
bungz said:
Top image is post work
Lower two are from before from original roofer
firstly - the pointing is extremely bad, as has been said here that is not acceptable! I would be asking for a refund as you will clearly be having to pay someone to put it right! Lower two are from before from original roofer
secondly - I would not be allowing this person to carry out further work, use your appointment with him to ask why the pointing is so terrible and what he plans to do about it. I wouldn't let him have another go however!! £750- so assume £200 per day for labour where did the other money go? the materials to point that are £30 max, and you certainly are not paying for his craftsmanship or experience!
third - Get a proper roofing firm in to do the job, wait for them if necessary, I have a roofer I use he is fantastic, neat and just nice to deal with however you can wait a while or he might be there the next day! I use him over companies that give firm dates however use sub standard labour!
Where are you located? Someone on here may be able to help out!
bungz said:
Near Stafford
Yeah more I think about it I’d love my money back but prob not going to happen.
Unfortunately its clowns like this that give the building trade a bad name!Yeah more I think about it I’d love my money back but prob not going to happen.
How many days did he take to do that? I would ask for half the money back, he still would have made money on it!
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