I am having a small flat roof redone on my house coz it was leaking. It's tiny - about 1.5 m x 1.5m.

The roofer was supposed to come tomorrow, but has turned up today instead (I said I'd be out today, but I rearranged work to be in because not feeling well).

He's got a bitumen boiler connected to a gas canister, heating up. He's done absolutely nothing except connecting this up in the last hour but has been sitting in his van the entire time, demanding that I make him cups of tea.

He knows I have to go out shortly to work. Am I being paranoid in thinking he's just waiting for me to leave or does it normally take this long to get the materials hot enough to work with?

He's charging me £400. Not what I need before Christmas. :(

is he registered with any acredited bodies like the conferation of roofing contractors?

can you arrange for a neighbour/family member/friend to come round whilst youre at work?

im a bit stuck...and id probably feel the same way you do.


x

I'm new in this area (I literally don't know anyone!), so I feel bad about walking up to people I don't know and asking them to mind my house...

... I am getting really worried though. Surely it can't take an hour and a half to heat whatever's needed to get on with the job?

Persumably you contacted him, so he'd be rather stupid to burgle the house now that you've seen him there.

I had two flat roof bays bigger than yours stripped of their bitumen/ashfelt and re done in lead for £600.

If it's just a repair, I would say it's excessive. Not burglary, maybe robbery.

Persumably you contacted him, so he'd be rather stupid to burgle the house now that you've seen him there.

good point.

youve seen his face, youve got a phone number, youve got his reg number off his van...and to be fair, its a really bad burglar that leaves dna and if he's been demanding tea- youve got that and fingerprints too!

the only thing i can suggest is that you dont hand any money over until youve had chance to inspect the work thats been done.

hope the niggles are fading,

x

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the good advice and feel much more reassured now.

I am new to house-owning, never dealt with builders before so I don't really know what to expect.

Sounds a bit like daylight robbery.

Make sure the job is done correctly by getting it inspected (before you pay).

not defending the guy, but if its dry today & he's got nothing on, let him do it. it could be peeeing it down tomorrow.
£400 is a bit of a top price - but we don't know what he's doing for the money, so it may be worth it.

if you are paying a fixed price he can sit in his van as long as he likes its not costing you any more is it

Of course, it's your house, and you're the one who contracted him. If you asked him to come tomorrow and his turning up today puts you out or concerns you in any way, you don't have to just accept it. Just ask him to come back tomorrow as arranged.
Though I realise it's probably all done now, I felt it was worth saying. You don't actually have to be a doormat. You're the one holding the purse strings. People are so funny about being polite or not putting people out even though they're the ones being walked all over. Maybe bear that in mind next time?
And I hope it worked out :O)