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Original poster

New roof WWYD

10 replies

Newhousecrying · 15/01/2023 10:44

We got about 7 quotes for the roof replacement, quotes ranged from £6,309 to £14,000. The person we liked best (friendly, patient, professional, explained everything well, and then he came and did some emergency patch repairs for free which has bought us more time) is £6,300 All 5* reviews on Google, Checkatrade, yell, Facebook. I know these things are the most reliable but thought I’d mention it.

We asked a neighbour down the road who’s a roofer to quote too thinking he’s our neighbour so if things so badly we know where he lives. But his quote is £11,700

the quotes are for the same things, except quote 1 doesn’t mention building control, we’ve discussed that and he said I can contact them. Quote 2 has building by control sign off for £580 (not included in the £11,700).

both a pay on finish, both mention insurance backed guarantees though we haven’t see the paperwork for that.

Which would you go for?

OP posts:
Goawayangryman · 15/01/2023 10:48

Third party review sites can be easily manipulated and the lack of building control involvement suggests corner cutting. Plus £6k is ridiculously cheap for a whole new roof. Like, implausibly so.

Goawayangryman · 15/01/2023 10:50

That is, if building control is needed given the nature of the work. If in England and it's the whole roof then yes, I think you need. Also, will they need to do insulation work to get sign off?

Original poster
Newhousecrying · 15/01/2023 11:27

They’ve said they can do the insulation for £800. Quote two is insulation for £900. Quote one said I can apply for building control myself. Looks like admin work. So they’ll know I’m going to get building control around. Insulation I was going to look at myself to save a few hundred

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Goawayangryman · 15/01/2023 11:58

Thing is if his quote doesn't include building regs and he isn't arranging it, he could say you should still pay him even if it's not up to standard. I'd be dubious as to why he isn't arranging it himself. It's much easier as he will know when they need to come out (or should do). Sometimes they need to take a look whilst it's ongoing.

lurchermummy · 15/01/2023 12:04

I would not use your neighbour. We had a neighbour build our extension and it was not a good idea especially when we had issues with the work.

Original poster
Newhousecrying · 15/01/2023 12:16

Goawayangryman · 15/01/2023 11:58

Thing is if his quote doesn't include building regs and he isn't arranging it, he could say you should still pay him even if it's not up to standard. I'd be dubious as to why he isn't arranging it himself. It's much easier as he will know when they need to come out (or should do). Sometimes they need to take a look whilst it's ongoing.

Thanks. That’s interesting. I’ll chat to the council too. I thought it was just because he didn’t want to do the admin.

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Original poster
Newhousecrying · 15/01/2023 12:17

lurchermummy · 15/01/2023 12:04

I would not use your neighbour. We had a neighbour build our extension and it was not a good idea especially when we had issues with the work.

i worry about this too. One of my friends fell out with their next door neighbour over some building work he did for them. She said it was really awkward

OP posts:
MarieG10 · 15/01/2023 12:25

Goawayangryman · 15/01/2023 10:48

Third party review sites can be easily manipulated and the lack of building control involvement suggests corner cutting. Plus £6k is ridiculously cheap for a whole new roof. Like, implausibly so.

Price isn't always an indicator. We had an extension out for quotes and the best builder in our view was 40% cheaper than the most expensive. Tight contract but he was an incredible builder. Just depends how busy they are as quotes tend to reflect and the one we had liked having a full order book. Ours was a 5 month job and we were flexible when he started

scottishnames · 15/01/2023 17:15

Agree that price not always the indicator but I'd be worried that the chap who won't handle building control might not be able/willing to do the job to building control standards. If it's a complicted job, building control often come to inspect and sign off work in progress, stage by stage. The builder has to meet with them and show them what he's done. It's not just all admin - it's knowing and understanding the regulations and then doing the work to comply with them.

Original poster
Newhousecrying · 15/01/2023 23:02

Thanks. I need to call the council to clarify what building regs will do and what’s best practice. And then I’ll contact the roofers again. It’s been a while since they quoted. And then negotiate the ‘must pass building regs’ bit

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