Selecting a roofer

[Phil473]

Once again a tradesperson has provided a sub standard service, and naturally is trying to avoid putting it right. And once again, even if he does put it right it may again fail and I'll have to pay someone else to do the job. By which time, prices may have gone up.

Had a leak at the chimeny base, roofer repaired and installed new cement and flashing which now leaks more than before.

So I'm considering just getting a new roofer to sort the problem out properly.

In the past, I employed a roofer that was on checkatrade (irrelevant I know), listed Federation of Masterr Builders, Confederation of Roofing Contrators. The new roofs leaked three times in less than a couple of years. The Confederation of Roofing Contractors were helpful and stepped in. But I can't trust their listed tradepeople to provide a quality service, based on this experience.

It seems to be very difficult to get a good roofer, and tradesperson in general. You follow all the advice, check the reviews even ask the neighbours. Suggestions appreciated.

 

[blup]

Post a few pics and an explanation of the problem and you will get some advice that will help you to assess the suitability of the roofer. Word of mouth is the best recommendation IME

 

[Phil473]

The roofer I mentioned above actually was recommended by a neighbour. Neighbours flat roof has been fine, mine leaked 3 times.

Existing problem has been with new cement and flashing, to base of chimney, on pitched roof. Had it done last year, failed this year. I'll try and get roofer to put it right, as it shouldn't fail this early.

As the roof may be the original 100 year old roof, I may well just get a new roof. Otherwise, the repairs are going to mount up.

 

[^woody^]

Neighbours flat roof has been fine

So, is this "roofer", a flat roof or a pitched roof roofer?

 

[Si_]

Let me know when you find the answer. 5* reviews are worthless. Recommendations are a waste of time too, because even if they're unsolicited by the roofer, they need to be recent, for similar work and - importantly - you have to know the same individuals will be doing your job as did the recommended job. Many roofers now have teams working for them that they can't control and have little to no expertise, or willingness to do anything but skive. So you might get a recommendation by someone who had the boss on the job only to find that when it's your turn, two monkeys turn up at 11am, sit in their van for 20 minutes rolling fags, throw litter on your lawn, **** against your shed, go to the pie shop, visit 'the yard' for 90 minutes because they forgot to bring slates or mortar to the slate replacement and pointing job, then complain it's too dark to do anything and disappear leaving a hole in your roof.

 

[Phil473]

The flat roof and pitched roof were two different jobs, done by different companies.

My concern at present, is the pitched roof.

 

[Phil473]

Let me know when you find the answer. 5* reviews are worthless. Recommendations are a waste of time too, because even if they're unsolicited by the roofer, they need to be recent, for similar work and - importantly - you have to know the same individuals will be doing your job as did the recommended job. Many roofers now have teams working for them that they can't control and have little to no expertise, or willingness to do anything but skive. So you might get a recommendation by someone who had the boss on the job only to find that when it's your turn, two monkeys turn up at 11am, sit in their van for 20 minutes rolling fags, throw litter on your lawn, **** against your shed, go to the pie shop, visit 'the yard' for 90 minutes because they forgot to bring slates or mortar to the slate replacement and pointing job, then complain it's too dark to do anything and disappear leaving a hole in your roof.

In actual fact, he did indeed send his workers to do the job and not attend himself.

That was for the flat roof job. What's happening now is an issue with the pitched roof, the 'repair,' was done by a different company. It's been given a temporary patch up by a local roofer via home insurance, but I need a permanent solution.

The roof is old, perhaps a century. So now I'm considering a new roof, as these repairs are adding up.

 

[robinbanks]

Reusing slates can take some of the sting out of it. If you're doing for a reroof, consider taking that once in a lifetime opportunity to insulate as it's never easier than from above, and gain some habitable loft space

Suggestions appreciated.

DIY? The principles of roofing aren't hard, and are frequently grasped by people with more teeth than brain cells

Do you still use the chimney? If no, do away with it; no more leaks then!