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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Help - New roof disaster

9 replies

Pinkbendyman · 10/07/2024 03:31

We are in the process of having a new roof fitted and are using a roofing company that have recently done a number of houses on our small estate. The houses were built in 1970 and we live high up in a fairly wet and windy area in the Pennines.
On Monday, in dry warm weather, all the old roof tiles were removed and a new membrane was fitted and fixed down with wooden batons.
During the night we had heavy rain, fairly windy and we were woken at 6am with water dripping through our bedroom ceiling. By 8am, with continuous heavy rain, the living room ceiling was also leaking rain water as well as down the walls. When the roofer arrived at 9am (we had phoned him as an emergency) he said that he had never seen anything as bad as this before. Apparently the wind had lifted some of the membrane off during the night.

The original price we were quoted was £5.3k and the roofer told my DH (prior to the work starting) that he would accept £4.9k in cash, but we would have to pay the scaffolders before the work was completed.

Back to Monday and when my DH was asked for the scaffolders part of the payment, he gave the roofer the entire amount of £4.9k in cash and didn’t ask for a receipt.
I was working away on Monday and when I walked into our house to see the flooding and chaos, I was naturally very unhappy about this.

The roofer has promised to either put things right by paying for full redecorating of the living room and our bedroom or refund £1k.

My main concern, going forward, is any damage that may not show until further down the line. For example, we haven’t had any chance yet to look at the contents of the loft. There are multiple things stored up there such as my wedding dress, my children’s keepsakes, toys and books from when they were little.

AIBU to think this isn’t good enough?

Any advice on how to make this right would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

OP posts:
HappiestSleeping · 10/07/2024 03:34

Get up in the loft as soon as you can to inspect, and hope the builder sticks to his word.

Hopefully it's a small area that was affected.

Meadowfinch · 10/07/2024 04:24

Odd to pay for the work before it's finished but it can't be helped now.

Check your possessions in the loft, although if they are damaged, they won't be easy to replace.

Get a quote for repainting the ceilings.

KellyJonesLeatherTrousers · 10/07/2024 05:50

Do you have a contract in place? Without one and by paying upfront you are now entirely reliant upon the builder’s goodwill. He has offered to put the known damage right.

I would say that it was your responsibility to clear the loft if you’re having the roof done!

Poolstream · 10/07/2024 05:55

In cash as in notes?

Hopefully your roofer is honest and fair.

DracoDormiensNumquamTittilandum · 10/07/2024 06:01

Jeez why did he pay the guy in full upfront??

I don't think you're entitled to any kind of compensation. Especially as you've agreed a cash deal.

cryinglaughing · 10/07/2024 06:29

I am on the Pennines, the weather has been brutal this week and I don't think the problems could really be helped.
He sounds like he is doing the right thing by refunding you to redecorate and make good.

Why did your DH pay in full? I hope that doesn't come back to bite him on the bum.

USaYwHatNow · 10/07/2024 06:33

Sorry but I fail to see how this is the roofer's fault? Surely it would have been sensible to clear the loft first if there were sentimental items in there and they can't help the weather, especially if it was unusually strong winds which no one can really predict? He also arrived promptly when you called him and has offered to make good some of the damage which he didn't cause.

Pinkbendyman · 10/07/2024 06:35

Thanks everyone.

Needless to say, I’m angry at my DH for paying cash (bank notes) up front. No contract, no receipt. It was my DH who has been communicating and dealing with the roofer from word go.

Then I’m the one left dealing with the fallout.

briefly spoke to the roofer yesterday who was extremely apologetic and promised on his children’s lives that he would rectify the damage.

The roofer explicitly said we didn’t need to empty the loft and has also accepted responsibility for the leak.

OP posts:
Posithor · 10/07/2024 19:09

Trust him, not everyone is an arsehole 👍🏼

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