I got various quotes and the general theme was bitumen roofing = expensive, only one of the quotes mentioned scaffolding, but I assumed all the companies would use scaffolding for the top roofing.

On the lower roof there was no need for scaffolding, so doubt any roofer would use it, but 4 stories up I expected to see scaffolding (hence my shock when I saw them stood so high with no form of protection).

I got one quote from a company using a fibreglass system (Rooftec) and that was the lowest quote with the longest guarantee. I didn’t realistically expect it to last 50yrs, but could see the potential of a fibreglass roofing system lasting a lot longer than a felt roof, while a bitumen roof needs replacing every 10-15 years.

I thought (wrongly) that RoofTecs much lower quote was mainly due to the material used, with bitumen there’s all that melting etc… and so a much harder job than painting on fibreglass resin etc… and I’d heard there was a big cost for some kind of expensive license.

Their first failed attempt at the top roofs when they over boarded directly over the old rotten/wet roof I wasn’t on site which is why they thought they could get away with it. I never even thought about whether they used scaffolding on the first try, had they not had to come back a second time I’d have believed they’d used scaffolding (why wouldn’t I?).

On the second try I got there after they’d removed over half the roofing material, I think I’ve mentioned somewhere else a neighbour telling me about them turning music up loud while I’m not there and lower when we turned up, also they took little care when removing the old roofing material while I wasn’t there, throwing down within yards of parked cars, while I was there they carried a lot of material down the stairs. Note: I had no problem with them using the front garden for throwing material down, I’ve done this myself and as long as your careful it’s safe.

So when I turned up there was no scaffolding erected and half the roofs removed. I was surprised they used no protection (a harness as a minimum for example), but I’m no expert on fitting roofs and had no idea what the law was regarding this until much later.

So please don’t post with the belief I knew in advance how this company worked, had I known they were cowboys roofers I’d have not touched them with a barge pole. With regards the scaffolding issue like I said-

“I’ll add I did work out why their prices are so reasonable, they are mad!!

Imagine 4 storey high ripping off 8ft by 4ft boards whilst standing on the edge of a drop with just two 3? wide bits of wood (the rafters of the flat roof) to stand on!! Wish I had found the camera for that!

Since they don’t use scaffolding they can keep their prices low.”

Why would I say I’ve worked out how they keep their prices low if I already knew they didn’t use scaffolding? It was news to me.

I would not use Rooftec again, not because they don’t use scaffolding but because the end job wasn’t very good (multiple leaks). I worry about the roofs and expect they will need replacing in under 15 years, probably a lot sooner

David

Not such a cheap job then.

We are members of the C.R.C and ensure that all our roofers are as safe as possible at all times.

If that was my home i would have gone with scaffold guy everytime, even if it was £1000.00 more.

Anyway you can breathe a sigh of relief THIS TIME. but remember cheapest may not be the best.

This bit you wrote shocked me!! (below)

Since they don’t use scaffolding they can keep their prices low. The whole job (4 flat roofs) cost £2,100 including VAT. We had a quote higher than this from one roofer just for two of the flat roofs (the bathroom roof and the back dormer roof and he’d use scaffolding).

Are you happy with a firm that makes their employees put their lifes at risk day in day out just so you can save yourself a few pounds???
It is people like you that breed the cowboy element in roofing and building by giving contracts to bogus firms like Rooftec who flaunt health and safety in the work place.

My company is NFRC registered and have to work to a code of practice. We do not want to be the cheapest as I have worked hard for over 20years gaining invaluble skills that I think deserve a decent rate of pay for.

And by the way……..

A £1000.00 was a very fair price to have four dormer cheeks replaced and the other small flat roof,………….maybe it was the cost of the cherry picker that put you off !!:)

Our roofing company is glad to follow the Workplace safety regulations and even though scaffolding and other fall protection is expensive, I am sure our customers would prefer to pay it than to have have blood on their hands.