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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - not paying the roofer?

151 replies

Adviceisneeded1 · 18/01/2023 19:31

I have a leak coming in through the roof. I called a roofer last Thursday to come and have a look. He said it could be some mortar that needs re-doing or it could be due to a small gap that he found.

He decided it was best to start with filling in the small gap to see if that was the issue (using no-nonsense roof silicone, so nothing expensive). We agreed on a price of £100 to be paid via Bank transfer. He sent me his bank details a few hours later, but that same evening, it started raining and the leak was still present.

I didn't pay him but messaged him the following morning to let him know that the leak is still present and if I could get a quote for having the mortar re-done in that area, as that was the other thing that the roofer thought might be causing the leak. He said he can re-do the mortar in March, but won't give me a quote for it (or a definite date) and keeps messaging me asking for the £100 for filling in a gap, which didn't even fix the leak!

AIBU to not pay him the £100?

OP posts:
Original poster
Adviceisneeded1 · 18/01/2023 22:55

NoSquirrels · 18/01/2023 22:52

People have explained to you why this is. It’s hard to diagnose the exact point of water ingress if there is nothing huge and dramatic to see.

But! Be grateful that there’s nothing huge and dramatic to see. Could be worse!

Property maintenance is shit. Everyone knows it. Be nice to your tradesmen is the very first rule, though.

Show quote history

I get why no roofer works on that basis, I was simply replying to someones' message who suggested that I should have told the roofer I wasn't going to pay unless the leak is fixed. Which of course no roofer would agree to, which I understand

OP posts:
Original poster
Adviceisneeded1 · 18/01/2023 22:58

For everyone suggesting getting a new roof, the roofer stated that the rest of the roof is in good condition and a new roof is not needed. It's around 20 years ago (pitched roof with tiles).

OP posts:
edwinbear · 18/01/2023 23:09

OP in terms of finding another roofer, do you have any other tradesmen you’ve used before a couple of times, that you trust and they know you? If so, ask then if they know anyone. They all tend to know each other and if you can say ‘Dave the plumber gave me your number’ it might help get them out to quote.

Movingonup2023 · 18/01/2023 23:17

AIBU not for the faint hearted

Original poster
Adviceisneeded1 · 18/01/2023 23:19

edwinbear · 18/01/2023 23:09

OP in terms of finding another roofer, do you have any other tradesmen you’ve used before a couple of times, that you trust and they know you? If so, ask then if they know anyone. They all tend to know each other and if you can say ‘Dave the plumber gave me your number’ it might help get them out to quote.

Good idea - thank you! I know of a plumber who I have used numerous times and trust so will ask him if he knows of anyone - thanks again!

OP posts:
Thesonglastslonger · 18/01/2023 23:48

YABVU.

He didn’t agree to do the work on the condition that he’d only get paid if the leak was fixed. No roofer would accept a deal like that!

He recommended you try silicone, and offered to do it for £100. You accepted. He put the silicone on. So now you owe him £100 for his time and equipment spent doing that.

GarlicCrackers · 19/01/2023 00:21

I use the nextdoor app, which I like to call Facebook for old people. I’ve had an excellent roofer rec in York, and then same for a plumber.

Original poster
Adviceisneeded1 · 19/01/2023 00:26

GarlicCrackers · 19/01/2023 00:21

I use the nextdoor app, which I like to call Facebook for old people. I’ve had an excellent roofer rec in York, and then same for a plumber.

Thank you for the recommendation- I'll check it outb

OP posts:
Notatallanamechange · 19/01/2023 00:36

This thread is mental… (Not you OP)

whatthebejesus · 19/01/2023 00:36

Wtf am I reading with some of these responses?!
Yanbu. He has not done a temporary fix if it's still leaking. He needs to come back and fix it

theblackradiator · 19/01/2023 00:44

£100 for a bit of pound shop silicon ffs I'd not want to pay him either. sounds like a cowboy to me too.

ANiceBigCupOfTea · 19/01/2023 00:47

I get how annoyed you must be, but I do think you need to pay him.
Don't be afraid to get a second opinion as well though and have someone else look at it just in case it can be fixed differently (and possibly cheaper too).

Original poster
Adviceisneeded1 · 19/01/2023 02:20

theblackradiator · 19/01/2023 00:44

£100 for a bit of pound shop silicon ffs I'd not want to pay him either. sounds like a cowboy to me too.

I would have been quite happy paying £100 if the leak was fixed, even if it was just silicone used, because I'm paying for his years of experience, knowledge ect.. and not just the cost of the silicone

But the leak hasn't been fixed...

I have paid him now so just got to wait and see what his response is regarding next steps (he is even responds)

OP posts:
Original poster
Adviceisneeded1 · 19/01/2023 02:23

ANiceBigCupOfTea · 19/01/2023 00:47

I get how annoyed you must be, but I do think you need to pay him.
Don't be afraid to get a second opinion as well though and have someone else look at it just in case it can be fixed differently (and possibly cheaper too).

This is what I wanted to do but it has been SO hard getting any roofer to even respond to initial enquiries - I have been trying for months

Seems like every house in Manchester has a roof leak!

I'm flexible with my days and times aswell

OP posts:
Original poster
Adviceisneeded1 · 19/01/2023 02:24

Notatallanamechange · 19/01/2023 00:36

This thread is mental… (Not you OP)

This is my 2nd, and last, thread on here 😬

OP posts:
Original poster
Adviceisneeded1 · 19/01/2023 07:43

Adviceisneeded1 · 19/01/2023 02:20

I would have been quite happy paying £100 if the leak was fixed, even if it was just silicone used, because I'm paying for his years of experience, knowledge ect.. and not just the cost of the silicone

But the leak hasn't been fixed...

I have paid him now so just got to wait and see what his response is regarding next steps (he is even responds)

Show quote history

*if he even responds

OP posts:
Grapewrath · 19/01/2023 07:46

You agreed to try the conservative method first- it didnt work but you knew there was a chance it wouldn’t. I can’t believe you think you don’t have to pay?!

Takeitonthechin · 19/01/2023 07:54

Sometimes it can be a process of elimination to fix things, so the first thing may not work.

How long did it take him to do the job?

Because you have told the roofer that the leak is still present, I wouldn't pay him as it hasn't been fixed and by the time March comes round it's going to be an even bigger problem to fix and a more expensive one.

I suggest you look for a different roofer, possibly one that comes recommended.

minidancer · 19/01/2023 08:01

It's hard to find out where water is coming from, it tracks so isn't always obvious. He's agreed to try a cheap option for you (most people wouldn't even come out for £100) and if it had worked you would have saved a lot of money. You agreed for him to try that option.

If I was him I wouldn't come back if i had to chase you for money.

Try check a trade

janeeyreair · 19/01/2023 08:04

If a vet says your dog might have a mild infection or it could be something serious, lets try a course of antibiotics first, before scans etc. And then a month later dog still has issue, you wouldn't not pay the vet.

Marigoldandivy · 19/01/2023 08:07

He may have said he would give you a quote if the silicone did not work, but this is not the same as saying he wouldn’t charge you for the silicone bodge. You can’t possibly expect him to quote for further work before you pay him the £100.

EarringsandLipstick · 19/01/2023 08:08

I probably wouldn't have agreed to that approach, however, overall £100 is a relatively small amount to pay for an initial possible solution.

He didn't say it would work necessarily. He offered it as an option, and you agreed, knowing the conditions.

So, of course you've to pay £100

I'd be a lot more concerned about his proficiency to resolve the issue as it doesn't sound like a sensible first step.

But your reiteration that 'it didn't fix it' is silly and UR. You didn't stipulate it had to be fixed or you wouldn't pay - you accepted it as an option that might not work, and so you have to pay.

I know you're now paid him. Now go back to the drawing board and get a recommendation from someone directly - builder; neighbour, other tradesperson.

MelchiorsMistress · 19/01/2023 08:10

I agree with you OP.

You paid the man to fix the leak. He didn’t fix the leak, so he doesn’t need to be paid.

Chickenvoicesinmyhead · 19/01/2023 08:49

Please to see you've paid @Adviceisneeded1

It's a bit daunting tackling these things if you're not used to it.

Some problems in building can end up being a huge job so you start with the cheapest fix to diagnose it first.

No point in going all out to, say, strip the roof when the leak is actually coming from the chimney. It may not be obvious to start with so you need to eliminate.

Chickenvoicesinmyhead · 19/01/2023 09:03

....and the work to eliminate is chargeable. The vet analogy by @janeeyreair was bang on.

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