is my roofer screwing me over?

[fido]

i've been quoted £700 to re-cement all ridges (back and front) on a standard 3/4 bed detached. seems a bit steep for relatively straightforward work but my family have used the guy for ages and he seems reasonably honest. any roofers in the house, so as to speak .. how much would you charge a long-serving customer?

[GreenDog]

Sounds like it. I had the lead flashing replaced on part of my roof and this required scaffolding to be put up, it was 'only' £400 all in.

[cjs]

Sounds a bit steep to me, is he doing it off scaffolding?

[JustinP1]

fido said:

i've been quoted £700 to re-cement all ridges (back and front) on a standard 3/4 bed detached. seems a bit steep for relatively straightforward work but my family have used the guy for ages and he seems reasonably honest. any roofers in the house, so as to speak .. how much would you charge a long-serving customer?

That sounds like one of the jobs that is done on Rogue Traders!

Go up, slap some mortar around, and it is too high for you to see properly anyway!

[Dr_Gonzo]

IME out of all the trades, roofers are the most likely to try and scrw you over. I'm not saying that there are NO honest roofers; only that when I've been getting quotes I've had the biggest difference in cost for exactly the same work from roofers.

[mk1fan]

fido,

With the name Pikey Mikey in your profile you're hardly one to start commenting on being ripped off

That said where abouts in Surrey are you? The OH found a small roofing company who came round and talked himself out of work. Not used them yet but he talked himself out of a few £k of work saying that it wasn't needed. Even told me what DIY bits I should be doing on the roof.

I can get his details if you want.

[fido]

mk1fan said:

fido,

With the name Pikey Mikey in your profile you're hardly one to start commenting on being ripped off

That said where abouts in Surrey are you? The OH found a small roofing company who came round and talked himself out of work. Not used them yet but he talked himself out of a few £k of work saying that it wasn't needed. Even told me what DIY bits I should be doing on the roof.

I can get his details if you want.

Yeah .. i can see the irony of having to employ the services of proper pikeys.

To be fair, i did call him out in emergency, and there are 3 bits of ridging that need replacing (so he can't just slap on some cement to make it look like he's done some work) but i still think he's trying it on a bit. I'm more than happy to pay for quality work - just spent a few grand on an outside wall and fencing - but don't like dishonesty.

Please do forward the guy on - does he give proper written quotes? - i need a quote to repair some guttering - and my current chap has just priced himself out of any future work. I'm in the Kingston area.

cjs said:

Sounds a bit steep to me, is he doing it off scaffolding?

Nope, he's a bit of a dare-devil.

Edited by fido on Wednesday 22 July 15:46

[aussiebruce]

try a mate of mine, Pat on 07958 646 317 tell him bruce sent ya.

he's on hols at the mo, back thursday i think. should still have his mobile though.

[mk1fan]

I'll dig out the details and get them to you.

[cjs]

Just asked my roofer mate. 30's Semi, re pointing hips & ridges is £300-£400. This is done off ladders. TBH I wouldn't get up the ladder for that!

[fido]

ok, we've settled on £500 cash .. which is still a little dear .. but hey ho .. that's my bit of 'charity' for the year. yep, i appreciate the danger element and would want at least £200 just to go on the roof, but i guess that risk comes with the job!

Edited by fido on Wednesday 22 July 19:28

[mrmaggit]

fido said:

ok, we've settled on £500 cash .. which is still a little dear .. but hey ho .. that's my bit of 'charity' for the year. yep, i appreciate the danger element and would want at least £200 just to go on the roof, but i guess that risk comes with the job!

Edited by fido on Wednesday 22 July 19:28

As long as you're both happy, I'd call it a result.

[cjs]

fido said:

ok, we've settled on £500 cash .. which is still a little dear .. but hey ho .. that's my bit of 'charity' for the year. yep, i appreciate the danger element and would want at least £200 just to go on the roof, but i guess that risk comes with the job!

Edited by fido on Wednesday 22 July 19:28

Try and push him to clean out your gutters as well whilst he is up there.

[Mattt]

There is a Roofer on PH, think he was in your neck of the woods, can't remember the name though!!

[mk1fan]

Is it Roofyjohn you're thinking of?

He does basements not roofs.

[Deva Link]

cjs said:

Try and push him to clean out your gutters as well whilst he is up there off the roof before you hand over the £500.

EFA.

[Mattt]

No, he had a normalish name - and a Griff IIRC.