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Bodged roof works

6 replies

40Jem · 13/03/2022 12:24

I got a highly regarded, long standing local roofing firm to carry out repairs to my roof. They finished the job and the scaffolding came down on Friday. Now that I can see the new gutters,I am far from happy. One of our gutters channels into a down pipe attached to our next door neighbour's house. This was like this before, seems to be a historical thing, they are old houses. The new gutter looks like it is slightly wider than the old one, so they have wedged an old bit of wood behind the down pipe , presumably to move the pipe out a bit a line up with the gutter! I am so shocked and disappointed. It looks ridiculous and such a bodge job. I'm sure my neighbour won't be happy either! I emailed the office straight away on Friday and got a response that they would speak to the workmen and get back to me. I obviously haven't heard back yet as they close at 3pm on a Friday. I'm not sure where I stand on this and I've been worried all weekend. I haven't actually paid them anything yet as it was payment on completion. I have now received their bill though. I have checked the schedule of works and it does state that they will "seal the new gutter to the neighbour's correctly ". Am I right to withhold paying the bill until this is resolved? I've never had this happen before. I'm worried if I pay they will just disappear and not rectify this. Most of the work seems to be fine as they were fixing my roof and chimney as well and I can't see any issues there. However, the job is not finished as far as I'm concerned , with this bodged but at the end.

OP posts:
40Jem · 13/03/2022 13:45

Perhaps should add, the work was not cheap, it's a quite a few thousands of pounds altogether.

OP posts:
johnd2 · 13/03/2022 14:12

I would suggest to pay the undisputed portion and withhold what's needed for the incorrect part. You don't really have a basis to withhold the main portion either legal or moral.
I'd they decide it's not worth the hassle coming back, it shouldn't leave you out of pocket, but equally you shouldn't be ahead.
Hope that helps. Good luck!

40Jem · 13/03/2022 14:55

Thanks, yes I'd be ok paying for the works done satisfactorily. However, the bill isn't itemised so I'd have no idea how much is reasonable to withhold. Do I just guess a sum? Make it 10%?

OP posts:
PragmaticWench · 13/03/2022 15:47

Before even getting to the payment part I'd call the office on Monday and ask whoever is in charge to come out and inspect the work. Then, once they've done that and said what they're going to do, you can think about payment and whether to hold back and part of the money.

40Jem · 13/03/2022 16:43

Thanks, yes I have asked them to come out to check it. I guess it's just unfortunate that it was Friday afternoon so they didn't really get back to me and I've been left to stew about it all weekend. Hopefully come Monday I'll know more and can take it from there.

OP posts:
johnd2 · 14/03/2022 00:42

I would say guess a sum, make it generous to you. Ideally the leftover is the right amount to pay someone else to make good, then if you withheld too much you can return the extra to the original contractor.
This returns you to the original situation where the contract is complete for the correct payment.

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