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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To say no? A building one …

35 replies

Homeheadaches · 14/06/2023 00:09

Some roof work, despite what checkatrade suggests, for just under 3 days’ work is going to cost £6.5k. I’ve had several quotes and chose the company that did work for my neighbours although joint highest priced, as their work seemed good.

I haven’t been given a date for the work or had any communication since the quote, so was surprised that a scaffolder phoned from outside my house yesterday asking if I was in. I was at work, so he asked if he could climb over my back gate and start putting his gear up, as he had been let down on another job that day. I was really uncomfortable with this, not least because I had left an upstairs fanlight open, so said no. I want to be there when any contractors are, after having had a very bad experience previously with a builder.

The contractor himself phoned today saying he wants the scaffolding up asap, only then can he work out when the work can be done. I have to arrange well in advance if I need to work from home, so that is not ideal. I just feel so uncomfortable that the scaffolder felt it would be ok to climb over my fence, because it suited him to turn up without warning.

Was IBU? I have other quotes from reputable companies and my peace of mind has already been troubled - what would you do?

OP posts:
HappiestSleeping · 14/06/2023 06:33

Depends how good you think the work will be. Lack of response irritates me, so I may well have said "sorry, didn't hear back from you so I've engaged someone else", but don't cut your nose off to spite your face.

As for the scaffolding, the guy probably just wanted to get it done.

MintJulia · 14/06/2023 06:44

Roofers can't start until the scaffolding is up. Scaffolders, being normally a separate company and working at multiple sites a day, can be hard to arrange precise timings. You don't need to be at home while they work.

I had my whole roof reslated last year and the scaffolders arrived without warning. Then the slaters were there for two weeks in between heavy rain.

Bear in mind, no roofer wants to be working on metal scaffolding in a thunderstorm. It's disrupting planning at the moment. Just leave your windows closed for those few days.

PragmaticWench · 14/06/2023 06:49

I've found scaffolds are a law unto themselves even when the builder/roofer is fine.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 14/06/2023 06:50

We've never been home when the scaffolders have turned up - they just appear and let themselves in the garden 😂

Like PP said, your roofer can't do anything until the scaffolding is in place so I suppose it depends how long you're happy for this job to take and whether you want to risk pissing off the roofer by taking ages to confirm a WFH date with them.

You really don't need to be home when contractors come and work on the outside - in fact I'd rather know when they're coming so I can arrange to be elsewhere, though I appreciate that's personal preference.

ArcticSkewer · 14/06/2023 06:51

This is totally normal where I live. Different companies working together, so timings don't coincide precisely. And timings for starting jobs are usually not arranged in advance - ours always just phone up about half an hour to a day before turning up. Sometimes they are already at the house!

I can't see how you can get that to fit with needing a lot of notice to wfh, unless you just start wfh as soon as possible for an indefinite period. You may need to change your idea about being there when work is done, or maybe book time off work, again you'd need to cover a good amount of time to be 'on call'

I would suggest paying a lot more if you want a named start day, but it sounds like you are already paying for the most expensive quote, so options may be limited.

hattyhathat · 14/06/2023 06:54

I think the scaffolders move it from one job to the next. It's completely up to you really.

Flopsythebunny · 14/06/2023 06:56

Its totally normal.

WeAreTheHeroes · 14/06/2023 06:58

I'm surprised the scaffolder himself phoned you first. They're a law unto themselves usually. I get you'd rather be there - is there anyone you trust who could be there instead?

Trig5 · 14/06/2023 06:59

The scaffolder needs somewhere to store his scaffolding. You will be left with the scaffolding up long after all the work is completed.

SnapPop · 14/06/2023 06:59

I get that you'd rather be there for the builder but I don't think it's necessary to be there just while the scaffolding is put up.

CaloundraBlues · 14/06/2023 07:03

I'd be miffed at this, at the very least your builder should have been in touch to let you know when they were intending to start

user1492757084 · 14/06/2023 07:04

Speak with your neighbour who had work done.
And could he or any other trustworthy neighbour be there for part of the job on your place?
It is normal for scaffolding to be put up in advance.

You are fortunate to get the work done so promptly - particularly if you like the tradesman.
Arrange for yourself to work from home at short notice - ie your work knows it will be not much warning.

Kazzyhoward · 14/06/2023 07:05

YANBU. I want to be at home whenever we have workmen. Sadly they're not trustworthy and, especially scaffolders tend not to have any regard for your property and belongings. I'd want to be there to witness any damage they do. Turning up unannounced is a big red flag.

Last time we had scaffolders one of them dropped a bracket which broke a roof panel in our conservatory - we'd pre-agreed they'd board it over, but they "forgot" to bring the boards and assured us they'd be careful! The time before they broke a fence panel.

TimesRwo · 14/06/2023 07:09

As others said, scaffolders just show up whenever to put up or put down and the roofer isn’t necessarily going to know exactly when. You’re not really going to get notice and you don’t need to be there either.

Just make sure any windows or fanlights are closed.

jackstini · 14/06/2023 07:14

Just leave the windows shut and the gate open. You don't need to be there

It would have been nice to have a heads up, but decent tradesmen are like hen's teeth and scaffolders move from job to job v quickly and rarely advise when they are coming

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 14/06/2023 07:16

CaloundraBlues · 14/06/2023 07:03

I'd be miffed at this, at the very least your builder should have been in touch to let you know when they were intending to start

He probably didn't know.

jc12689 · 14/06/2023 07:23

I'd have just let the scaffolder get on with it. Like others have said it will be a separate company and scaffolders are notoriously unreliable. If you want the work then be a bit flexible.

MumblesParty · 14/06/2023 07:39

I’d be wanting a date from the roofer first, because from what I’ve seen the scaffolders use houses to store their scaffolding, and you could be waiting weeks before the roofer actually starts.

unsync · 14/06/2023 07:48

Scaffolders are a law unto themselves, the ninjas of the construction industry. Keep your windows shut, let them crack on. Advise your insurers.

johnd2 · 14/06/2023 07:54

I just feel so uncomfortable that the scaffolder felt it would be ok to climb over my fence, because it suited him to turn up without warning.

according to your op, the scaffolder called to check if it was ok.
Are you saying he went ahead anyway? Or are you annoyed that he would be prepared to do that with the home owners permission? Because you are unreasonable to think he should refuse to do something you are both happy with.

It sounds like you are overthinking it. Of course you're not unreasonable to say no if that's what you feel, there's a market for people who want a high level of customer service, but it's a lot more expensive than even the eye watering quotes you're getting.
If you are keen to get it done you do and up with a certain level of discomfort and inconvenience, it's annoying and frustrating but I don't see much alternative other than get on YouTube and learn to do it yourself.

mondaytosunday · 14/06/2023 08:27

Wouldn't bother me. But look carefully at your quote - make sure it includes the scaffolding and there's a finite amount of time it will be up. They tend to leave it up til it's needed on another job so make sure it will be taken down when your job is over.

Original poster
Homeheadaches · 14/06/2023 08:29

Thanks for all your replies - sounds like the situation is pretty normal, I think my anxiety stems from previous experiences.

Re wanting to be there the scaffolding is going to fill the narrow side passage leading to the back of the house. When it’s hot I sometimes have problems with my front door (another job on the list) so I need to be sure I’ll be able to open the back door and climb through the scaffolding if necessary. If the guy had phoned and said “can I come tomorrow” I’d have been fine but the tone was very much his time was more important than mine.

The last time (over 6 years ago) I had scaffolding to the front of the house the scaffolders smashed a brick area holding decorative stones and small bushes (in situ when I moved in)and made a right mess. I’ve recently discovered the work the builder did at the time was not done well (I let the contractor get on with it while I was working as it took several weeks ) and now I’ve got a big problem with it that I’m struggling to find anyone to fix, or quote for, even though it’s going to be a very big expense.

OP posts:
Fandabedodgy · 14/06/2023 08:31

You may have delayed the work on your house.

I'd have let him go for it.

Original poster
Homeheadaches · 14/06/2023 08:35

johnd2 · 14/06/2023 07:54

I just feel so uncomfortable that the scaffolder felt it would be ok to climb over my fence, because it suited him to turn up without warning.

according to your op, the scaffolder called to check if it was ok.
Are you saying he went ahead anyway? Or are you annoyed that he would be prepared to do that with the home owners permission? Because you are unreasonable to think he should refuse to do something you are both happy with.

It sounds like you are overthinking it. Of course you're not unreasonable to say no if that's what you feel, there's a market for people who want a high level of customer service, but it's a lot more expensive than even the eye watering quotes you're getting.
If you are keen to get it done you do and up with a certain level of discomfort and inconvenience, it's annoying and frustrating but I don't see much alternative other than get on YouTube and learn to do it yourself.

Are you a scaffolder, John? 🤔🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
Homeheadaches · 14/06/2023 08:43

Kazzyhoward · 14/06/2023 07:05

YANBU. I want to be at home whenever we have workmen. Sadly they're not trustworthy and, especially scaffolders tend not to have any regard for your property and belongings. I'd want to be there to witness any damage they do. Turning up unannounced is a big red flag.

Last time we had scaffolders one of them dropped a bracket which broke a roof panel in our conservatory - we'd pre-agreed they'd board it over, but they "forgot" to bring the boards and assured us they'd be careful! The time before they broke a fence panel.

Unfortunately, this has been my experience. Also, there’s usually several of them and in my case just me. I’ve never heard a builder or scaffolder apologise for any error, it’s always “don’t worry about it, we an always (not necessarily ideal solution” or “that wasn’t me”.

Not tarring them all with the same brush, have had some great contractors too but always anxious with new contacts. The company who have caused a problem with front of the house, also worked on another neighbour’s who had a great outcome but being retired watched them like hawks.

The neighbours recommending this roofer are also elderly and didn’t need scaffolding for their job.

OP posts: