To say no? A building one …

[Homeheadaches]

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?

This is so true though about paying for a level of customer service. I was so fed up with tradesmen not turning up to quote then not confirming when they could do the job that I got some quotes from a large property maintenance company for a couple of rooms I needed decorating. They were so polite, took their shoes off at the door lovely to meet you etc and when is convenient for you, but OMG the quote. 3 times the price of the one man band type trader.

I agree that you have to let them get on with it. It's impossible for contractors to give you a very accurate start date, as they go from one job to another. If they have a good reputation, are fully insured and provide a warranty then you have nothing to worry about. Building work is intrusive by nature, but its temporary.

This! I work at a building company and this is normal

Scaffolds and roofers work is weather dependant and I know its sunny now but weather can change.

Also they are really busy so I would take whatever date they can do or pick specific date which maybe in a month or two

I have come to the conclusion that scaffolders and roofers are a different breed and because they can climb over fences it’s quite norm for them to think that’s ok…

No, what makes you think that? I tried to be as balanced as possible in my reply.

A scaffy that gives you a day and time is a very rare breed. They do what they want when they want. You’ve just delayed it all and possibly could even be a week before his back now or he may be back tomorrow. Depends on his mood and where else it’s wanted.

You’ll be annoying your roofer to tbh as he can’t do your job till it’s up.

Thanks all. I appreciate the work has been put back but, then again, I wasn’t expecting it to happen for a while from what I was initially told. As for putting the roofer out, they’ve got more work than they can shake a stick at, so will have just gone onto the next customer.

Wish johnd2’s suggestion of looking on YouTube was viable. These 3 days work is costing me 4 months’ salary.

Such is life, enjoy the sunshine everyone x

My neighbours had to have some work done on their chimney, for some reason the builder arranged for the scaffolding to be put up against my house (mid terraced). It cut off my tv signal. I called the builder and scaffolder. It was up for 2 weeks and was only taken down when the builder had finished and was long gone. They have so much work they dont have to try very hard and their customer service is non existent. Turned out they had also broken a bunch of slates on my roof walking over them - which they neighbour did pay for to be fair. I would watch them all like hawks, dont blame you.

I think it's just the way tradespeople work. We have had something similar in the past. It is a bit jarring when you are used to doing things professionally at work but it's just a different industry. I think you have to expect this kind of stuff whoever you be up using.

No I don't think customers should put up with it as there's simply no need.

When we had to organise a new roof for my mother (with dementia), we were very clear and upfront how we expected the work to go because it had to be done as quickly as possible. When we got roofers around for quotes, we made it clear it had to be done quickly, scaffolding up and down as quickly as possible, even pre-warning them they couldn't go in the house for the toilet nor expect refreshments (mother simply couldn't cope with workmen as she can't deal with anything different). The firm we chose couldn't have been more obliging. Scaffolding was erected just two days before work started and was taken away two days after, they brought their own portaloo, etc. The guy kept phoning us to tell us of the planned days for scaffolding up and down, the days they'd be doing the work, etc.

It can be done, but customers need to grow a backbone and be upfront with "special" requirements. The other guys we had to quote didn't really take on board what we were saying about mother with dementia, and were vague, so we didn't chose them to do the work.