Am I being taken for a mug here? Roof

[Yawncat]

Pouring my life savings into getting a reroof, large house 1920's covered in westmorland slate. We are paying 27k for this as we wanted someone reputable that was experienced in slate.

Currently in the process of just starting to put the slate back on and we've been told today that when attaching the slate to the Battons it's making the other end of the slate (the exposed end) lift which is going to be prone to wind damage and they've suggested we abandon using the slate and install a tile roof for extra cost.

I don't understand this? How do people have reroofs using existing slate if this happens?! Roofer is coming in the morning and I just don't know how to handle this conversation.

Anyone with any knowledge please help!

"Been told" by who?
If the slater isn't doing it right surely you ask them to correct it, not specify a totally new roof covering?
The rows of slate should be attached bottom to top with two (aluminium) nails through each slate and into the batten with suitable lap. If the battens are all straight and in line then the slates will lay flat enough.
Actual slate is a natural product which I assume is what you're getting based on the cost, so there will be some variation, but I can't imagine that causing a problem unless you're in a really exposed location.

I much prefer the look of slate roofs to tile roofs (assuming you're in UK, not eg the Med!). Tile roofs are usually cheaper than slate roofs too, so not sure why it would cost more?? Def def not something to be bounced into.

The roofer is saying this now they are applying the slate back on, they are suggesting it cannot be rectified because there is no way of rectifying it, we have to accept that it's at high risk of wind damage through the winter if we want to continue as the original roof was attached with mortar and thats not they way roofs are done now.

I just want to discuss this tomorrow with abit more knowledge as I'm obviously not a roofer

I know! We are in the UK it's westmorland slate

You’re paying £27k to take the old slate off and put it back on again?

not new westmoreland slate, but the old stuff (which is probably fine) but that means that the £27k is labour mostly and for what, a weeks work?

my guess is they have t got the skill to do the slate because it’s difficult and tile is easier so they bullshitted you.

tile is also a lot heavier so you often need to strengthen the roof.

Yes using the existing but does include any new slate that is needed, it's a large house with alot of new leadwork needed too it also includes the garage with is also large, new guttering, stripping and repainting fascia & soffets, scaffolding is complex so yes it is alot of money but we some quotes over 35k! With the lowest still over 20k. It's about 4 weeks work in total

They dont have the knowledge or skills - if you do a slate roof right it will last another hundred years. Is it being installed onto battens? or a sarked roof? and how does this compare to the original roof structure?

You probably need to get someone else with more slate knowledge and expertise in to comment - is your house with its welsh slates a particular style in your area? are there any slaters/roofing firms nearby who specialise in venacular/restoration who you could ask for an opinion on how your builders are putting things back together and advice on the problems they are having?

You are doing a good thing reusing the original slates (aesthetically and environmentally) so it would be a shame if that was not carried out due to your builders/wrong advice.

That’s my gut feeling. They’re not up to it and tiles are easier because they just sit on the roofing battens.

slates have to me manually nailed and don’t have a guidance nib at the top.