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Original poster

Roofing repair: have I been ripped off?

30 replies

ZippyLondon · 27/02/2024 18:00

I'm a bit ashamed to say this out loud (OK, so type it), but I'm being charged £1,300 for one tile to be replaced on my roof that took all of 22 minutes to do (plus 45 mins to errect scaffold). I'v seen these horrible things happen to old folk, but I'm not sure what to do. Yes, I know trades people are paid for what they know, not necessarily the time it takes to complete a job, but £1,300? I've paid half (upfront) but not sure what to do. feeling a bit anxious!

OP posts:
craigth162 · 27/02/2024 18:02

Sounds alot but did u agree to price in advance?

Nw22 · 27/02/2024 18:02

Yes that’s hugely expensive

Thefirstonewastaken · 27/02/2024 18:03

Scaffolding is expensive.

What did they quote to do vs what has been done?

mauvish · 27/02/2024 18:06

Do you have anything in writing (estimate, quote) from the people who did this?

KnackeredBack · 27/02/2024 18:07

Depends on the scaffolding to be honest...it's not cheap. Bloke up a ladder however would be a complete rip off.

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 27/02/2024 18:10

How is the 1300 broken down? How much was scaffolding costs etc?

Presume you agreed price upfront so not sure you can do anything now

CointreauVersial · 27/02/2024 18:11

It'll be the scaffolding. But yes, ask for a breakdown in the costs immediately, and push back if unfair.

Vaz66 · 27/02/2024 18:18

I paid £1200 for scaffolding at the back, chimney repointed, 3 rows of tiles moved back, a metre of new felt and battens front and back and tiles put back. Took them about 6 hours.

Original poster
ZippyLondon · 27/02/2024 18:18

Thanks all for your responses. Yes, I had a quote which mentioned changing eight tiles, but only one was done. There's still a broken tile left up there that wasn't fixed!

The scaffold is a tower, so not full-on set-up.

I'm worried that this is going to turn ugly in that I'm going to be told to suck it up as I agreed price.

OP posts:
DaisyJones6 · 27/02/2024 18:20

Did it really need scaffolding?! That’ll have been a lot. My husband would have just used a ladder and charged you a few quid to cover his time!

So many cowboys about, and they give all builders a bad name.

Startingagainandagain · 27/02/2024 18:20

I paid about £200 for my usual handy man who worked as a roofer for decades to fix one tile 3 months ago and he is coming back to do another one that cracked during the storm for a similar price. This is not the main roof though. It is the lower roof above my kitchen and is easily accessible without the need for scaffolding but frankly this is a ridiculous price you were asked to pay.

craigth162 · 27/02/2024 18:26

ZippyLondon · 27/02/2024 18:18

Thanks all for your responses. Yes, I had a quote which mentioned changing eight tiles, but only one was done. There's still a broken tile left up there that wasn't fixed!

The scaffold is a tower, so not full-on set-up.

I'm worried that this is going to turn ugly in that I'm going to be told to suck it up as I agreed price.

Did they explain why they only changed one?

Original poster
ZippyLondon · 27/02/2024 18:33

craigth162 · 27/02/2024 18:26

Did they explain why they only changed one?

Show quote history

Not had that conversation yet. They sent me an email with photo saying 'job done/pay up', nothing else.

OP posts:
LauderSyme · 27/02/2024 18:41

Definitely don't pay any more until you're satisfied that they've done the work that needs doing and are charging you a fair price for it.

TheNoodlesIncident · 27/02/2024 18:49

Is the scaffolding tower still up? If so I'd be tempted to take a photo of the broken tile and reply with that.

I hired a scaffolding tower to chainsaw branches from a friend's oak tree. Hire was £60 for the weekend (we sorted guttering issues while we had it so it was well worth it).

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 27/02/2024 18:49

That’s appalling. £60 for two tiles to be replaced at the back of a terraced house mid roof. Took maybe 20mins? We did buy the replacement tiles ourselves - they were around a tenner. That was last October and a reputable local roofer. No scaffolding required.

Peekaboobo · 27/02/2024 18:52

yes you've been ripped off.

How do you know there's still a broken tile up there?

Crazymadchickenlady · 27/02/2024 19:48

Our local roofer charges about £50 for that but does it with a ladder. I think scaffolding is a bit safer.

greengreengrass25 · 27/02/2024 19:53

Just be careful OP

Mil is one of those who fell for a scam

Could you get 3 quotes and ask for recommendations from people in your area

greengreengrass25 · 27/02/2024 19:53

Sorry didn't read thread fully

Whatsthesecret · 27/02/2024 20:03

It's the scaffolding that swallowed your money

SuperGreens · 27/02/2024 20:11

Ask them which were the 8 tiles they replaced, and why one is still broken. See what they come back with. If not happy with the response, I calculate £1300/8 and pay them £162. Which is frankly too much if they haven't done the job properly.

housethatbuiltme · 27/02/2024 20:14

This doesn't make any sense... no one puts up scaffolding for 1 tile.

We just had our chimney capped and they did it with a ladder. Neighbor just had roof and guttering work done with a ladder too. Both done by professional roofers. For minor jobs theres no zero need for expensive scaffold unless you have a REALLY steep (almost vertical) roof that can't be stood/walked on.

mfbx5sf3 · 27/02/2024 20:18

It’s the scaffolding. Which isn’t necessary for such small a job. We just had a missing tile replaced and some sealing done around the chimney and it was 200 as he just used a ladder

rickandmorts · 27/02/2024 22:10

Yes you've been ripped off! I've been quoted £1400 today to repair our roof as well as buy and install a large Velux window. Scaffolding also included.

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