Hi everyone, I'm really panicking and don't know where to turn. I bought a 1910 flat with loft conversion 18 months ago with a budget of £20k to do it up, much of which has already been spent. There's been consistent problems with damp seeping in across both sides of the house since the start. I've had various people out to look at since it started (most of whom were quite dismissive it wasn't anything to worry about) and when it got much worse recently I got 5 roofers out to look in the last week. Each one has said something completely different ranging from £650 for a few small repairs to a full roof replacement for £20,000.
The roofer who says it needs to be replaced seemed very genuine. He said it had been a cowboy job and is at risk of caving in within a few years. He was the first and only roofer to actually look at the eaves and showed me how the timber was being affected by the damp. Assuming he's right, what can I do? The roof had been replaced recently before I bought it and no problems related to it was flagged when I got the survey done (the most comprehensive one). I don't have £20,000. I bought this house alone so its solely my responsibility to pay although my partner is moving in. I'm in my 30s and about to start trying for a baby but there's no way that will be financially possible if the roof really does need £20,000 of work. Does anyone have any advice? Feeling pretty devastated.