When should I start to worry?

[Inhibitor]

My property needs a full reroof. I booked a roofer early this month and was told the scaffolding would go up that week for work to commence the following week. I’ve paid £3k deposit with a receipt.

The scaffolding didn’t go up that week and my roofer told me that there was crossed wires with the scaffolder. Fair enough. Then it rained the next week so the scaffolding didn’t go up then either. The following week it snowed which then stayed on the ground due to subzero temperatures so another week where the scaffolding didn’t go up.

Roofer messaged Monday to say the scaffolding would go up this week - the weather is dry, it’s forecast to be dry for at least a fortnight but it’s now Friday and there’s no scaffolding up.

I don’t want to keep pestering him but I’m getting worried that there is no movement. Part of the reason I booked him is because he could start quickly as I’ve been approved for some grant funded work that can only be done after the roof has been completed but must be booked in before the end of February (the earlier the better since it’s first come, first served).

I’m not sure what to do now. Any advice please?

Pester him. Why wouldn’t you.

Agree. He’s got your money, absolutely I would be pestering him and explaining you need it done asap (nicely)

I guess I’m just wary of souring the relationship and I’m a massive people pleaser who doesn’t know how to be assertive.

I called him (been texting until now) and he was apologetic due to issues with their scaffolder and has suggested a solution - promises it’ll be done in time so I feel better! Thanks for the gentle nudge.

How did you pay?

I'm the same RE not wanting to sour the relationship, but you'd be reasonable to contact and outline exactly what you need to happen - and say to him that if it can't be done by X day then you'll need your deposit returned.

Definitely time to be assertive, he's taking the piss a bit now.

So it’s now Thursday and there’s still no scaffolding. He’s not contacted me either. There’s been some rain most days but not heavy so I don’t know if this is what’s delaying? I got the impression they’re behind on another job so I’m trying to be patient as requested but the lack of updates is making me worry.

You should have started worrying the moment you called him

and then been very very worried the nanosecond you handed over £3k

Sadly you have been very very naive

I'd be looking into small claims court to get your deposit back.

I wouldn't have paid the deposit - they should have credit with suppliers and known contractors to enable work to start. We didn't pay anything at all for our big project until 3 weeks in!

Pester constantly and give a deadline eg if work not started by x date then you need the deposit back and will go to small claims otherwise

Sorry to state the obvious, but is there a reason why he is available? The best reccomendation for virtually any trade is that they are inundated with work and have no availability. Agree with previous poster that you should have started worrying when you paid the deposit and heard nothing. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I hope I'm wrong.

Roofers often run behind time when wather has been bad- sometimes jobs get behind because it's too angerous to be on the roof, sometimes they have had to deal with emergencies where people have leaks due to bad weather. Our reroof was dealyed six weeks or more for similar things, we accepted it but TBF it wasn't an issue for us, we just rejigged other work round it. OTOH, he didn't bill us a penny until the whole job was done- in fact, I had to nag him to get him to send us the bill! (I did pay the scaffolders once it was up, as I know they had had problems of their own).

OP, you should never pay a tradesperson upfront unless you know and trust them. I mean before that start work. When we had loft extension work done and cost £52k about 9 years ago I remember we had to pay in installments. From memory I think about £4k after first 2 weeks then £5k every 2 weeks. Last £5 only paid after snagging.