Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Rogue Roofing Company
I had a leaking roof after the heavy downpour on Sunday 25th. I went through Barks.com and unfortunately selected a rogue Roofer to whom I paid a huge deposit. The Contractor has not visited since day 2 of the 4 day job - he said he was pinged by the NHS covid test & trace app and could not oversee the work. He had one worker whose english was not very good, he sent the Contractor regular photos and videos of his work. The work has been signed off and he is now demanding the balance. I had no choice, but to hire an independent Roofer to check the work done against the agreed list. He found that the work was substandard, no new materials were used, there were holes and gaps left etc. I have received threatening telephone calls and text messages from the Contractor, "purporting to take this all the way." He also told his worker to rip all of the tiles from my roof, thankfully this order of criminal damage was not followed. He has also stated he will leave the scaffolding up around my home, which is a security risk. He has now stopped responding to my calls, I have left him a message asking him to rectify and complete the work. He has refused to provide an itemized invoice, report or a certificate of guarantee, which I have requested several times.
I shall contact the Citizens advice Bureau and Trading Standards and will look into employing a Solicitor. This whole, stressful process has left me traumatised and frightened of any further threats of reprisal to my home and family. Is there anything else I can do? I have the paperwork, copies of text messages etc.
Please don't respond to this post telling me how silly I have been to pay him a deposit or chide me for any of the other mistakes I made, I am beating myself up enough already. I thought I was savvy, but realize I am like everyone else and can be easily scammed by a supposedly, reputable Company.
This is a synopsis of the events to keep the post relatively short. Thank you for your kind words and advice.
Tags for Forum Posts: roofer
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Christopher Fowler on
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Thank you, Hugh. I was a victim of my own stupidity. It is very kind of you to be sympathetic.
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Permalink Reply by Jane Bain on
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Thanks Hugh. The reason I mentioned old tiles was because with the amount charged, I was promised new ones.
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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Certainly not on. I just wanted to make clear that, as far as I’m aware, if agreed between the parties, it can be a perfectly acceptable practice.
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Permalink Reply by Anne Gray on
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Commiserations.... I have three experiences of cowboy contractors the most serious involving a whole house refurb in 1983. Sued them for bad work but had to write my own detailed technical letters since solicitor couldn't manage to understand the list of faults. Eventually out of court settlement. Second time (1984), went to small claims court and he was ordered to pay back the deposit (work not even started because he had spent the materials money on a motoring fine!). Third time (2007), threat of 'small claims court' action produced a penitent letter and offer of money back, to the value of what I had already needed to pay someone else to sort out a leaking toilet- the originally contracted plumber had fitted a new one incorrectly.
Suggest also, for your own security, remove any ladders that would enable someone to climb the scaffolding; hide them or immobilise them with (e.g.) bike locks, and write to contractor telling them why you've done this and how and when they can reclaim their ladders. Try to have your largest male friend (or 2) present whenever meeting the contractor - not of course to threaten a retributive punch-up but it sometimes helps to look tough and protected especially in the context of prevalent sexist attitudes.
Good luck!
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You really have had terrible experiences. Thank you for the additional light you have shed on the general problems with builders, and or your kindness and sympathy. And, of course, I agree with you 100% about sexist attitudes. Especially builders treat women as if they know nothing and are an easy target to overcharge. I'm a man, but my roofers still managed to beat me down. There were two of them, and they would not stop talking, to the point I could not get a word in edgeways. At one point I told them to leave, or I would call the police. They shouted me down. I wish to goodness I had actually rung the police to get them to remove the roofers from my property.
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Christopher, I have just spoken to a Solicitors Firm who specializes in this area. I shall let you know how I get on. Keep your chin up and best wishes for a successful resolution to your case.
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Thank you Anne, you have really been through the ringers. They took the ladder on Tuesday, so I think he had no intentions of returning (in hindsight). I do agree that more women appear to suffer with scams involving buildings and cars than men. I have 2 male neighbours who were on holidays at the beginning of the work. When he found out they had returned, he never came back to my home and relied on photos from his worker. He is a bully to women, but appears afraid of any man who might intervene or question him.
You appear strong and were determined to go to any length to right a wrong. I am not sure I am as courageous, I hate confrontations.
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Sorry to hear you are going through this. You're certainly not silly, just very bad luck to say the least!
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Permalink Reply by pamish on
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Talking of roofs - this one's too good not to retell. Not my roof, I was a lodger there at the time.
Here's a useful roof story. My old landlady Nancy had a couple of blokes at her door with a ladder saying they had noticed some slipping slates on her roof. Did she want them fixed? They needed cash upfront to buy the bits. She gave them £50 which is now worth 10x more. Off they trotted, came back quite quickly. Up on the roof they went for an hour of two, said it was fixed and off they went.
Then it rained, and water came pouring in, through all the gaps where they had stripped off the lead.
One to bear in mind.
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What horrible people. Thank you for the warning Pamish, I hope seeing this post helps someone to avoid this happening to them.
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Update 07/08/21 - The Scaffolding Company 5 S Scaffolding came around and removed the scaffolding from my home. They thought the work was still going on and was taking it down to force the Contractor to pay them. When they found out what he had done to me, they were very angry. They were professional, helpful and kind. They are also victims of this Roofing Company.
I am just happy it is down and we can get some sleep, not being frightened of someone coming to tear the tiles of the roof or a criminally minded person using it to gain entry into my home.
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