Getting someone to repair damage after invoice paid off

mrcheez

Had a roof done recently and I paid off the invoice, but then after a heavy rain storm it turns out there was a hole in the roof (that wasn't there before) and water got in and damaged the ceiling. It had never leaked before in 4 years of ownership.

It's not enough damage to warrant a home insurance call out, and when I contacted the roofer he assured me he would send someone out to have a look, and that's been over a month ago.

I called him again and again promised he would get someone out. He only answers when I call him from a new number as he ignores my personal number.

So obviously he's hoping I get bored and stop calling, which I won't.

So do I have any comeback or way of forcing them to comply by going to a higher authority??

Or should I say anything when I call from the next "new" number? :rolleyes:

They do have a facebook account so perhaps I could post there...

tedimc

You will probably get more advice, but first thing I would try is to tell him you have been chatting to your solicitor and that if he is not out by such a day, you will be giving him the go ahead to take things further.

I would do it in a passive tone, and then if that doesn't work- visit your solicitor for real.

Is he a genuine, reputable roofer?

What kind of hole? Pin hole in the felt/membrane - or slates/tiles missing?

mrcheez

Yes reputable which is why I went with him. He fixed the hole and agreed to get his co-worker "who is more used to working on ceilings" to come over another day.

He sounds agreeable enough when I talk to him and says "yes I'll get someone out", but then no followup

tedimc

What kind of damage is done to the ceiling - does it need to be reboarded or replastered, or just stainbloc and painted?

mrcheez

I'm not sure, but the actual material is "soft" and loose, about 30cm sq. It's also a "stippled texture" ceiling, so not sure how easy to replace that.

The point is that the tradesman acknowledged the damage and agreed to get someone out to repair it, but hasn't followed up. It's 1.5 months since the damage and I've been onto him 3 times with promises of getting someone out.

So I'm trying to find a way of increasing pressure... the lawyer approach does seem a little too strong at this point, but might go that way if it's still not done in a month.

enricoh

It's January and I'd imagine we're due a fair sup of rain in the next month or so, ring him (and e-mail him) and tell him you're getting a roofer next week to fix and you're chasing him in court for whatever the new guy charges. That should focus him.

mrcheez

I think I managed to get him to come ..will see