mike os
just a little insane.....
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If they told me this I would be telling them to come and collect it
- Thread starter Longhorn6120
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dobbslc
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Have you paid for it yet? If not then hold it back until it's sorted properly and if they don't do it use the money to pay someone that will. Give them the rest.
Pizz poor job by bods that obviously dont know what they're doing and used to work doing something totally different to fitting roofs!
Pizz poor job by bods that obviously dont know what they're doing and used to work doing something totally different to fitting roofs!
Longhorn6120
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Paid in full, in advance. Like I said, the cabin itself is great, it’s just the shabby half-@r$ed way it’s been thrown together that irks me.
But the guys that took our money are the guys that contracted the builders so as far as I’m concerned the buck stops with them.
I’m on the case with them, if I get no joy in the next 48hrs I’ll not hesitate to get legal.
But the guys that took our money are the guys that contracted the builders so as far as I’m concerned the buck stops with them.
I’m on the case with them, if I get no joy in the next 48hrs I’ll not hesitate to get legal.
roofman
Purveyor of fine English buckets and mops
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I see you cheated on the lower roof by putting the top course on edge instead of cutting slate
roofman
Purveyor of fine English buckets and mops
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Thats a hanging offense around here
yeah can be done as long as you bridge to the center of other slates or its cutting time often all the way across the ridge point
gaz1
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depends what the boss wants they getThats a hanging offense around here
Ton-up
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Well, not much sun - it's been a sad summer so far - but it's certainly seen some. They are TechnoNicol 2-layer shingles so I expect them to be on the strong side.
Just for your interest/amusement here's how it looks. The ridge tiles are not even overlapped, they're butted up to each other.
I may have exaggerated how short they are on the blind side, it's more like 3" overhang there...
View attachment 305765View attachment 305766View attachment 305767View attachment 305768
Thats just awful. Do the cabin suppliers have a facebook page? If so put the pics on there, should get a response.
I really feel your pain Longhorn6120 - please try everything to find a solution to this before going legal - I worry that the legal route may prove to be hugely torturous and possibly expensive.
I would suggest that you first get a written appraisal from a building inspector or architect, then along with this document put in writing to your supplier, copied to your solicitor, that it is your intention to have the roof shingles replaced by a.n.other within 14 working days, if your supplier does not make good to your satisfaction and thereafter you will take legal action to recover all the costs from said supplier.
In dong this you have A) Independent and professional written proof that the job is sub standard and B) Shown proof that you have in all fairness given your supplier ample opportunity to make good.
Good luck
I would suggest that you first get a written appraisal from a building inspector or architect, then along with this document put in writing to your supplier, copied to your solicitor, that it is your intention to have the roof shingles replaced by a.n.other within 14 working days, if your supplier does not make good to your satisfaction and thereafter you will take legal action to recover all the costs from said supplier.
In dong this you have A) Independent and professional written proof that the job is sub standard and B) Shown proof that you have in all fairness given your supplier ample opportunity to make good.
Good luck
Rudi McAnichal
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Have the manufacturers/suppliers of the shingles been made aware of the situation?
Their product is going to acquire a very bad reputation in your locality if the roof covering fails, so they might possibly be willing to put some pressure on the cabin supplier.
Perhaps worth checking whether any of the companies involved are members of a trade association.
Their product is going to acquire a very bad reputation in your locality if the roof covering fails, so they might possibly be willing to put some pressure on the cabin supplier.
It would help your case if any of this was put in writing, or stated in the presence of a reliable witness. Is there proof that the folk installing the shingles deliberately chose to ignore the manufacturer's instructions?
Perhaps worth checking whether any of the companies involved are members of a trade association.
Longhorn6120
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Thanks guys, I’ll try to answer all questions.
Mike: It’s a mobile home. To qualify as such it needs to be designed and built to be habitable. My inference would be that it needs to follow similar regs as a regular domicile.
Paid the deposit by cc and the balance by BACS.
Rudi: Sadly, nothing in writing re the roof. I have emails acknowledging the shoddy floor and internal trim, but that’s all.
Dilkris: Thanks for the advice, this is the kind of approach I had in mind when I said ‘get legal’.
Mike: It’s a mobile home. To qualify as such it needs to be designed and built to be habitable. My inference would be that it needs to follow similar regs as a regular domicile.
Paid the deposit by cc and the balance by BACS.
Rudi: Sadly, nothing in writing re the roof. I have emails acknowledging the shoddy floor and internal trim, but that’s all.
Dilkris: Thanks for the advice, this is the kind of approach I had in mind when I said ‘get legal’.
eLuSiVeMiTe
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That's what I thought.
To the op.
Why did you pay the balance if it wasn't to your satisfaction.
Lost your leverage now
Longhorn6120 is not seeking the interest of the Building Inspector - he is seeking an opinion. Here (I am informed) building inspectors charge £90/hr for visiting site - sure Longhorn6120 will have to pay for the "opinion" - but it would be of much value to support his argument.
mike os
just a little insane.....
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It is outside their professional field, I very much doubt they would get involved... their expertise is buildings not temporary structures, and they never have anything to say on quality of work unless it fails to comply with various building standards... which again don't apply to temporary structures.
This is purely a workmanship issue, trading standards is a better bet ... but usually equally futile.
Best shot is actually the cc company on grounds not as described not fit for purpose etc
Longhorn6120
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Thanks everyone for your comments. In the interests of fairness and full disclosure I feel I should elaborate on the whole story and give you all a better picture of what's happened.
The company is (apparently) a reputable one. They have been in business 20+ years and the customers' comments on their website suggest a lot of happy people. Their offices were closed during lockdown, but a pub not too far from us has 6 of their cabins they let as holiday rooms and the landlord/owner was kind enough to let us visit and have a look round them. He spoke very highly of the company and said they were a pleasure to deal with. The only negative thing he could say about the cabins themselves is the door furniture is a little cheap and tacky. He spoke very highly in all other respects of both the product and the company so that was enough to convince my wife and I we were in good hands.
The deal with the cabin is 25% deposit at the point of order, then the balance immediately before delivery. Builders will then follow up in a week or two and erect the unit in a few days. We had the materials delivered over a few days during the w/c 5th July and the builders were scheduled to start on 19th July. We were told they had been allocated the whole week, but may get finished in 4 days.
This was when things started to go wrong. Monday 19th they didn't show and I had to call the company to find out where they were. The story I got was that the building supervisor had taken ill on the way and decided to go back home, and that all being well they would be here the following day. Tues, again, no show. Again I had to call the company to find out what's happening. The builder then phoned me to apologise and say his driver had food poisoning and let him down again, but he would definitely be there tomorrow, even if he had to get another driver. So now I have 2 conflicting stories about what's happening. I then spoke to the company who assured me the builders would be there and that they'd promised to bring an extra crew to cover the lost time.
Anyhow, 3 people arrived Wednesday and completed the installation by Friday (although Friday was a very long day and they left us about 9:30pm). By this time it was dusk and we couldn't really see the cabin properly. It was only when we got to see it in the cold light of day that it became clear how much the job had been rushed. Many of the floorboards had been cut short and covered with ugly trim. All of the architrave around the inner doors was damaged and/or incorrectly fitted. The box skirting in some places was made up of little bits that just looked ugly - all in all a rushed and ugly job. Remember, these are subbies, so not actually employees of the company, although I still feel the company is ultimately responsible as it was them that hired the builders.
I contacted the company on the following Monday with photographs and descriptions of the shortcomings and I got a reply from the director who, while explaining away some of the points as 'normal', did agree it was a '*****' (his word, rhymes with happy) job and needed rectifying. My email reply to this was the first time I mentioned the shingles being fixed with staples. His reply clarified a lot of the things that needed replacing/repairing and also indicated the shingles would be secured with clout nails. In my reply I questioned how this would be possible given that the tacky strip on the back of the shingles had already set. He then phoned me up and we talked for an hour or so discussing all the various faults, including the shingles. He told me the staples would be fine and that while they don't warranty the shingles he gave me his word they would replace any that come off. He also said people have even been known to use a tack hammer for shingles, and said it in a disparaging way as if to suggest they'd never stoop that low. I'd never heard of a tack hammer, but when he explained what it was I told him that's exactly what had been used as I saw them doing it, but he still dismissed it as acceptable. It was very clear he was reluctant to replace or even refit the shingles.
2nd Aug the director drove c.200 miles with his project manager to look at the cabin for themselves. They seemed appropriately disgusted by the job and assured me that was NOT what their cabins were meant to look like. They've agreed to replace a good deal of the floorboards, all of the architrave, most of the box skirting and generally tidy up the shoddy work. Unfortunately the shingles weren't discussed during this visit (at this point I was unaware of the rubbish ridge tiling). I got an email on 10th Aug saying the replacement materials had been ordered and I will hear when they are going to be delivered.
So as you can see from the history, they do seem to be keen to put things right with regards to the overall tidiness of the job, but I am still unhappy with the way the roof has been covered, and the director's insistence that staples will be fine doesn't sit well with me. I've since researched it in more depth and found out the shingle manufacturer's warranty is invalid if the shingles are not fitted correctly (I had assumed this to be a no-brainer, but it was reassuring to see it in print as it proves I am right). I'm not ready the go naming'n'shaming or trashing them on SocMed (yet), but I do feel I might have a bit more of a fight getting the shingles sorted out which is why I asked the initial questions.
I do appreciate everyone's help and advice and apologise for this long post, I just wanted you to have the whole story.
The company is (apparently) a reputable one. They have been in business 20+ years and the customers' comments on their website suggest a lot of happy people. Their offices were closed during lockdown, but a pub not too far from us has 6 of their cabins they let as holiday rooms and the landlord/owner was kind enough to let us visit and have a look round them. He spoke very highly of the company and said they were a pleasure to deal with. The only negative thing he could say about the cabins themselves is the door furniture is a little cheap and tacky. He spoke very highly in all other respects of both the product and the company so that was enough to convince my wife and I we were in good hands.
The deal with the cabin is 25% deposit at the point of order, then the balance immediately before delivery. Builders will then follow up in a week or two and erect the unit in a few days. We had the materials delivered over a few days during the w/c 5th July and the builders were scheduled to start on 19th July. We were told they had been allocated the whole week, but may get finished in 4 days.
This was when things started to go wrong. Monday 19th they didn't show and I had to call the company to find out where they were. The story I got was that the building supervisor had taken ill on the way and decided to go back home, and that all being well they would be here the following day. Tues, again, no show. Again I had to call the company to find out what's happening. The builder then phoned me to apologise and say his driver had food poisoning and let him down again, but he would definitely be there tomorrow, even if he had to get another driver. So now I have 2 conflicting stories about what's happening. I then spoke to the company who assured me the builders would be there and that they'd promised to bring an extra crew to cover the lost time.
Anyhow, 3 people arrived Wednesday and completed the installation by Friday (although Friday was a very long day and they left us about 9:30pm). By this time it was dusk and we couldn't really see the cabin properly. It was only when we got to see it in the cold light of day that it became clear how much the job had been rushed. Many of the floorboards had been cut short and covered with ugly trim. All of the architrave around the inner doors was damaged and/or incorrectly fitted. The box skirting in some places was made up of little bits that just looked ugly - all in all a rushed and ugly job. Remember, these are subbies, so not actually employees of the company, although I still feel the company is ultimately responsible as it was them that hired the builders.
I contacted the company on the following Monday with photographs and descriptions of the shortcomings and I got a reply from the director who, while explaining away some of the points as 'normal', did agree it was a '*****' (his word, rhymes with happy) job and needed rectifying. My email reply to this was the first time I mentioned the shingles being fixed with staples. His reply clarified a lot of the things that needed replacing/repairing and also indicated the shingles would be secured with clout nails. In my reply I questioned how this would be possible given that the tacky strip on the back of the shingles had already set. He then phoned me up and we talked for an hour or so discussing all the various faults, including the shingles. He told me the staples would be fine and that while they don't warranty the shingles he gave me his word they would replace any that come off. He also said people have even been known to use a tack hammer for shingles, and said it in a disparaging way as if to suggest they'd never stoop that low. I'd never heard of a tack hammer, but when he explained what it was I told him that's exactly what had been used as I saw them doing it, but he still dismissed it as acceptable. It was very clear he was reluctant to replace or even refit the shingles.
2nd Aug the director drove c.200 miles with his project manager to look at the cabin for themselves. They seemed appropriately disgusted by the job and assured me that was NOT what their cabins were meant to look like. They've agreed to replace a good deal of the floorboards, all of the architrave, most of the box skirting and generally tidy up the shoddy work. Unfortunately the shingles weren't discussed during this visit (at this point I was unaware of the rubbish ridge tiling). I got an email on 10th Aug saying the replacement materials had been ordered and I will hear when they are going to be delivered.
So as you can see from the history, they do seem to be keen to put things right with regards to the overall tidiness of the job, but I am still unhappy with the way the roof has been covered, and the director's insistence that staples will be fine doesn't sit well with me. I've since researched it in more depth and found out the shingle manufacturer's warranty is invalid if the shingles are not fitted correctly (I had assumed this to be a no-brainer, but it was reassuring to see it in print as it proves I am right). I'm not ready the go naming'n'shaming or trashing them on SocMed (yet), but I do feel I might have a bit more of a fight getting the shingles sorted out which is why I asked the initial questions.
I do appreciate everyone's help and advice and apologise for this long post, I just wanted you to have the whole story.
mike os
just a little insane.....
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- 9,809
- Location
- North Wales
The workmanship is poor ... and it looks terrible... I would be wanting them redone
The issue is not one of warranty its about correct installation,,, that means installed correctly and looks right
That looks like it was done in the dark by someone who never fitted them before
The issue is not one of warranty its about correct installation,,, that means installed correctly and looks right
That looks like it was done in the dark by someone who never fitted them before
