Can't seem to find interested roofers

[Cornish Steve]

In the last few weeks, I've been looking for a roofer to do a reasonably minor repair (chimney flashing) on a terraced house in SE Cornwall. My brother contacted several roofers, but none appear to be interested in anything less than a full roof replacement. It seems that comparatively small repairs are just not worth their while.

Where can I turn to find a local builder willing to take this on? Is there a trusted website or trade organization to which I can turn?

 

[Homer J Simpson]

Try freeindex, as tradesmen aren't charged to use the service.

Otherwise, the confederation of roofers (or something like that).

Then of course, you have mybuilder, my hammer, rated people etc, who I believe all charge the tradesmen.

 

[Cornish Steve]

Thanks. I shall follow this up.

 

[Merchant UK]

Quite a few plumbers can do lead flashing, you could ask them

 

[ThePublisher]

We tried somebody through the 'Confederation of Master Roofers' or whatever they are called to do some straightforward repointing on some ridge tiles (about 4). OMG what a palaver. Ruddy great quote including scaffolding, provision of a site foreman for the duration of the work etc etc. Wanted about £1500 (this was about 9 years ago)

Called somebody out of the local town directory (in the days before I moved areas and started my own) who stuck a ladder up, climbed up with a bucket of muck and sorted it for £100.

 

[Matt1959]

I've just been faced with having a leaking (water) chimney repaired and it very quickly became obvious that this is far from a shin up a ladder job these days. As previous poster said, scaffolding and all the H&S stuff for anything on a roof. Best bet is get a jobbing builder in but I would always be worried about soles traders not being insured properly...I see yours is terraced so you need to be happy the neighbours property cannot get damaged by someone working for you in a way perhaps they shouldnt!

 

[Deleted member 138423]

Any handypeople who might come recommended perhaps, you know, those who advertise in the local village mag?

 

[Beachcomber]

Local recommendation is the best bet - or you could try the trading standards' Buy With Confidence scheme:

http://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/sitepages/bwchome.aspx

 

[Cornish Steve]

Again, thanks for everyone for the comments.

We tried somebody through the 'Confederation of Master Roofers' or whatever they are called to do some straightforward repointing on some ridge tiles (about 4). OMG what a palaver. Ruddy great quote including scaffolding, provision of a site foreman for the duration of the work etc etc. Wanted about £1500 (this was about 9 years ago)

Called somebody out of the local town directory (in the days before I moved areas and started my own) who stuck a ladder up, climbed up with a bucket of muck and sorted it for £100.

It's a bit similar here. To do the work from the front would require scaffolding, which makes the matter expensive. From the back, though, it's possible to reach the chimney via a ladder - in which case, the costs are very much reduced. Of course, that then means that roofers don't want to do the job because it's not worth their time and money.

I see yours is terraced so you need to be happy the neighbours property cannot get damaged by someone working for you in a way perhaps they shouldnt!

The damp is actually caused where the roof adjoins the neighbour's chimney (which is a bit frustrating). There's no problem with the chimney on my mother's house. So the point you make is a very relevant one. Thanks for that.

 

[Billmccallum]

The damp is actually caused where the roof adjoins the neighbour's chimney (which is a bit frustrating). There's no problem with the chimney on my mother's house. So the point you make is a very relevant one. Thanks for that.

Assume that your mother has home insurance, get them to contact the neighbour to address the issue...their insurance should cover it.

 

[Homer J Simpson]

Just bear in mind the party wall act too as it sounds like it may come into play on this issue.

 

[Cornish Steve]

Sorry - this is not something with which I'm familiar. Can you explain?

 

[Homer J Simpson]

If you do any work on a joint (party) wall, you need to give your neighbour notice and receive written confirmation from them that they are happy for the proposed work to go ahead. There are free templates out there for the letter.

If you do need to do this, your first step should be to talk to your neighbour and explain what you intend to do. Get their agreement this way first and then just explain that due to the party wall act, you'll need to put it formally in writing and have it confirmed that they are happy with this in writing too.