counter batten question

[SJRSJR]

Hello

I've just had my close boarded roof re-done. The original price included 'supply and fix treated batten timbers' but the roofer says that didn't include counter-battening, because he hadn't expected to have to do it. If you're laying a new membrane wouldn't counter-battening go with the territory? Thanks.

 

[noseall]

If you're laying a new membrane wouldn't counter-battening go with the territory?

Only if you are in Scotland, I believe. In the absence of any (solid) sarking - no. If your roofer was under the impression it was a standard roof, then he will have priced it assuming standard batten fix, direct to the rafters.

 

[^woody^]

If it's a like for like replacement, and to current standards, then that is what would be expected to be included in the quote.

To me, "supply and fit treated batten timbers" does not matter whether they are tile battens or counter battens. And what are we talking about here £50 on a £8k job?

 

[SJRSJR]

Thanks. He knew it was close boarded because I’d shown him the loft eaves where I had a leak.

 

[datarebal]

You don't have to counter batten .unless it's a boarded roof .
The underlay should be draped not pulled taught .
If you can not drape it then you need counter battens .
As he knew it was boarded then hard luck on him . To be honest a few counter battens don't cost much and there's a time saving laying the underlay

 

[SJRSJR]

He said he had expected to hang something over the battens - think he used the word 'weep'. Any ideas?

 

[datarebal]

No idea here .. tell him to weep then shut up and put counter battens on

 

[SJRSJR]

£440 plus VAT for 25x50 battens? Online I can see it's about 66p per metre so that would be about 150 lengths of 4.5m (the rafters are 4m). How closely are they spaced?! Is there a fag packet conversion calculation?

 

[noseall]

And what are we talking about here £50

Supply and fix?

 

[SJRSJR]

Supply and fix?

Labour is extra. Woody's comment alerted me. It's a T shaped house so even if you doubled it... From what I've ready the maximum spacing is 600mm so I should be able to calculate. Thanks.

 

[datarebal]

Counter batten where ever there's a rafter underneath

 

[noseall]

Counter batten where ever there's a rafter underneath