Some other posts
Marbill
Registered User
Help! dodgy roofer
My roof and conservatory were damaged on new years day in the storm - tiles came off the roof, broke more tiles and smashed into my conservatory roof. A friend of my sisters who is a roofer came around on New Years Day and took the broken tiles off so they wouldnt damage anything else and we arranged that he would sort out the roof this weekend coming. When we got home from work yesterday our roof was fixed and it WASNT by our roofer. The guy who did it apparently did two other houses on the street (when he was only asked for a quote by each of those householders). My neighbour called last night and she told me this guy arrived at her house yesterday and put on her tiles while she was at work. Her husband who was in bed at the time rang and told her so she rang this roofer and he told her it would cost her 1700. She said no way would the work cost this much - he said "sure its an insurance job, what do you care?". She told him she couldnt guarantee her insurance co would pay out esp as they hadnt approved it so she told him to take them down. He arrived half an hour later and took them down. I only got this guy's name last night from her. Now, the fact is, we have NEVER spoken to him, he trespassed on our property and climbed the wall at the side of our house to get out the back, if he comes to take them down will he do more damage? I think I will ring the Gardai for a start and report him as he could arrive at an old person's home and do this and then insist that they pay him - plus I dont want my insurance company thinking Im pulling a fast one on them as I am not. Anybody had this done to them before?
Red
Registered User
Help! dodgy roofer
I'm confused.
Anyway do'nt get anything done until the insurance co. gives you the go ahead.
I got repairs done a few months ago, and the insurance co. refused to pay , saying they had not approved the repairs, and it was not due to storm damage etc. I was down 650 Euro.
Rgds
Red
Ocras
Registered User
Re: Help! dodgy roofer
Is this for real!!?
Whereabouts in the country do you live?
Wasn't there some legal discussion recently about being able to shoot somebody if they were on your property and you felt that your life was at risk?
Tricia
Registered User
no contract...
Hi,
My understanding would be that if you have no contract with someone who does work on your house without your knowledge, you have no obligation to pay anything for that work.
The question of whether the roofer is entitled to reclaim their materials is more difficult. I would be worried that by removing the tiles from your roof, this guy might do more damage than was originally done. However, they may (and I'm not clear on this) have a right to their materials.
I would contact your original roofer and ask them for an analysis of 1. the work that was needed to be done 2. the work that was actually done and whether it was good or bad 3. Any further work required, including advice as to whether the renegade roofer's work should be undone.
If anyone is to undo the work done by the dodgy geezer, it should be someone you trust rather than someone annoyed at you because they thought they were hoodwinking money off you but are not.
As the previous poster said, keep the insurance company and the gardi informed...
Marbill
Registered User
Re: no contract...
I phoned the Gardai this morning and told them and they have a note of him trespassing. I spoke to an ex boss of mine who is a solicitor and he wanted me to get this guy's address so he could write to him and tell him never to set foot on my property again. He also said that no, as there was no contract or agreement made with this guy, he didnt have a leg to stand on. However, in order to keep the peace and not have this fella sneak back some day when we are not there and take the stuff back, he suggested that my roofer checks the work, meanwhile I let Allianz know the craic and get them to send their assessor out and see what he/she reckons the cost of the repairs are worth and then tell this 'fairy Godroofer' that that is what is being paid for the job and if he doesnt like it, he can try sue me. He could arrive at our door tonight and I wouldnt have a clue who he is!
Ocras
Registered User
Re: no contract...
Personally I would take it further with the law and take him to court for trespassing and criminal damage to your roof. The police should assist you in this process.
As said, what if he (probably has) extorts money from the more vulnerable in our society.
If I came home and found someone working on my property without permission, I would let the police know that he was in the Casualty unit and that I had feared for my family's safety.
Burgessbrendan
Administrator
Re: no contract...
My experience of roofers generally has been very poor. They quote one figure, and when they are up on the roof, they seem to find it's a lot worse than initially thought and quote you a lot more. I have had reports of roofers actually damaging roofs, and of course, subsequently denying it.
You should only deal with someone you know and trust. I would tell this guy to keep away from your roof and tell him that you have informed the Gardai. If your neighbours see him on the roof, they should call the Gardai. You should stress to the Gardai that you think these guys may be preying on others.
We don't have Trading Standards officers like they have in the UK.
Brendan
ajapale
Moderator
Re: no contract...
According to RTÉ's provincial news round up this evening 'The Meath Cronicle' has reported similar dodgy roofers and their activities in the afermath of the Clonee Tornado. It seems that their efforts were tharted because the Insurance Companies had contacted policy holders by phone before the dodgy roofers had arrived.
ajapale
rainyday
Moderator
Re: no contract...
Try contacting the [broken link removed] to get a better understanding of your rights in this case.
Ocras
Registered User
Re: no contract...
What happened here is still making my blood boil a little. Many seem to be taking the route of it being a "trading issue". In my eyes it is a criminal one.
This guy trespassed, and for all you know, damaged your property/roof.
It is on par with finding somebody "working" on the underside your car without your permission, but only on the basis of he heard a squeak.
Ceann Comhairle
Registered User
Re: Help! dodgy roofer
Would have to agree with you Ocras its nearly as bad as people intimidating OAPs and doing work on there property and then demanding colossal payment for the work.
It seems to be going on on a big scale down the country and its very frightening for them when they live in remote areas.
Marbill
Registered User
Re: Help! dodgy roofer
Its Monday now and STILL no word from the fairy Godroofer - had my organised roofer out on Saturday and he checked the work and said it was done properly. He gave me a quote for what he would have done it for and this amounted to €1,475.00! thats for the whole job which included not only the top of the roof but the kitchen which was damaged also from falling tiles from the top. Anyway, following legal advice and after speaking to the insurance co, we are going to wait for this guy's bill, submit it to the insurance co, see what their assessor thinks when he comes out and this guy will be paid what the insurance co thinks the work is worth. Realistically he doesnt have to paid a penny but I dont want any hassle as we are at work all day so he could come back and remove the tiles if he wanted to without us knowing til it was too late. If he is not happy with the money from the insurance co, he can bring us to court where he hasnt a leg to stand on. Hopefully it wont come to this. We dont live down the country by the way, we live in Drogheda.
mmclo
Registered User
Re: Help! dodgy roofer
In my eyes it is a criminal one.
This guy trespassed, and for all you know, damaged your property/roof.
***
Trespass is generally a civil matter except in very rare circumstances of which I reckon this is not one. Persistence is the key for trespass to be proven