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Edit for update in italics
A bit embarrassing, but here goes . . .
1930s 3-bed semi, L-shaped, say 55m2 footprint, 80m2 tiles over clapboard. Emergency repairs on my neighbour's roof revealed water damage and rot. He agreed an estimate to replace the whole roof with a reputable company starting the next day for £34k for 1 chimney stack removal, remove old roof to rafters, new roof window, retile with clay tiles, new soffits and gutters. After the neighbour assured me that the quote was competitive I verbally agreed £28k for my side (no chimney removal, no window fit) followed up with an estimate. The company (owner and, say, 15 workers) is with mybuilder, checkatrade, confederation of roofing contractors etc and has good reviews online.
I should have got several quotes but I'm currently under medical treatment that means I sometimes don't think straight so I relied heavily on the neighbour's research. Effectively in lieu of a deposit I paid £400 for a skip and £5,600 for tiles (£22k left to pay). The work is a few days in and I fear that I have agreed a too high price. I'm prepared to accept that the onus was on me and that I'm committed.
However, there are some complications. The son of the owner that I spoke too has said that he made a mistake in the estimate by including scaffolding and wanted me to pay £1600 on top of the £28k, saying that the neighbour had agreed to pay extra for his scaffolding. I've yet to speak to the father but will refuse to pay extra. Concerningly, the roofers aren't being straight: the neighbour, whom the roofers had asked not to discuss prices with me, paid only £300 (cash!) on top of the £600 for the original emergency repair scaffolding on one side.
A finger-in-the-air calculation of 4/5 men for 5 days (£7,500), materials (£7,000), skip, scaffolding and sundries (£1,700) gives £16,200; say £18k with VAT then £20k with profit. I will, of course have a better idea of labour when it's finished.
I think I'm on solid ground with the scaffolding cost and they're on solid ground on the £28k. However, I'd at least like to get a second opinion. Does anyone have any advice?
Update: I've discussed this with the owner. It turns out that they emailed a revised estimated that arrived before I replied to accept the original. We therefore decided to take equal responsibility and split the bill.
A bit embarrassing, but here goes . . .
1930s 3-bed semi, L-shaped, say 55m2 footprint, 80m2 tiles over clapboard. Emergency repairs on my neighbour's roof revealed water damage and rot. He agreed an estimate to replace the whole roof with a reputable company starting the next day for £34k for 1 chimney stack removal, remove old roof to rafters, new roof window, retile with clay tiles, new soffits and gutters. After the neighbour assured me that the quote was competitive I verbally agreed £28k for my side (no chimney removal, no window fit) followed up with an estimate. The company (owner and, say, 15 workers) is with mybuilder, checkatrade, confederation of roofing contractors etc and has good reviews online.
I should have got several quotes but I'm currently under medical treatment that means I sometimes don't think straight so I relied heavily on the neighbour's research. Effectively in lieu of a deposit I paid £400 for a skip and £5,600 for tiles (£22k left to pay). The work is a few days in and I fear that I have agreed a too high price. I'm prepared to accept that the onus was on me and that I'm committed.
However, there are some complications. The son of the owner that I spoke too has said that he made a mistake in the estimate by including scaffolding and wanted me to pay £1600 on top of the £28k, saying that the neighbour had agreed to pay extra for his scaffolding. I've yet to speak to the father but will refuse to pay extra. Concerningly, the roofers aren't being straight: the neighbour, whom the roofers had asked not to discuss prices with me, paid only £300 (cash!) on top of the £600 for the original emergency repair scaffolding on one side.
A finger-in-the-air calculation of 4/5 men for 5 days (£7,500), materials (£7,000), skip, scaffolding and sundries (£1,700) gives £16,200; say £18k with VAT then £20k with profit. I will, of course have a better idea of labour when it's finished.
I think I'm on solid ground with the scaffolding cost and they're on solid ground on the £28k. However, I'd at least like to get a second opinion. Does anyone have any advice?
Update: I've discussed this with the owner. It turns out that they emailed a revised estimated that arrived before I replied to accept the original. We therefore decided to take equal responsibility and split the bill.
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