Roofers and slaters

[wolf63]

Hi

I live in an old building - there are 6 properties who are responsible for the cost of repairs.

This week there has been a leak in the roof, the water has come through to my bedroom. I managed to find a roofer that could go up and have a look at the damage and we agreed a price. The work has been done - replacement of the zinc ridge and 20 slates. I think/hope that the problem is resolved.

However I did wonder if these tradesmen have a governing body like gas-fitters have? The last guy who fixed the roof was a bit of a cowboy. Can anybody just get a ladder and harness and go into business?

I am just curious - it is such an easy type of repair to con a person over. There is no way that I could go up on the roof to check if the work has been done.

Susan

[buildersmate]

This body is the trade association for roofers.
http://www.nfrc.co.uk/
....... but I suspect it is generally slightly larger companies that belong. There are thousands of roofers out there with just the technical skills and business acumen (or lack of it) they have acquired from watching others. Most tradespeople seek to do a good job for their customers and probably fail on the 'timing completion' part of the contract more often than the 'quality' side.

[wolf63]

Thanks for the info.

The last guy that 'fixed' a leak put a guy out of velux window with a rope around his waist - it is a third floor flat.

I will know for sure that the new repairs are okay during the rain at the weekend.

Susan

PS - you would have to be nuts to work on a roof in the cold and rain.

[tezestwing]

not when you have a family to feed.
I think I read some where though that a roof contractor could work from a roof ladder/crawler with harness for only limited times approx 20 minutes at a time to repair only?