I use an estate agent to “fully manage” my property. In April, they arranged a contractor to repair the roof, and following the repairs, the roofer has left scaffolding behind. Its been over 2 months. And we had already paid the full invoice (as the Estate Agent had said the roof works was completed).
The roofer and scaffolder are not responding.
Obviously, its a safety and security hazard.
As the contractor was on their list of “approved contractors”, can I ask the Estate Agent to pay to remove the scaffolding themselves?
We have used this estate agent for over 10 years and not had any issues like this before. We live some distance away from the said property.
I would be sending a strongly worded email to the agent giving them 14 days to remove the scaffolding with the ultimatum that you’ll be writing to their redress scheme with a complaint. Stress your loyalty and that they’ve not put a foot wrong so far.
The lessons I’d learn from this are
never, ever, ever pay for a “completed” job without photographic proof that the job has been done to the satisfaction of both you and your tenant.
never chase contractors yourself if you’re paying an agent to “fully manage” the property. Keep all comms through the agent and make them do the donkey work.
tell the scaffold company if they do not remove it within 30 days you will have it removed and sold to defray expenses.. As above ,you should have held back 10% of the job price till it was gone
@Wendy29 unless the scaffolding have left behind ladders so that anybody can get up onto the scaffolding it’s not a safety issue tho really is it? Just unsightly.
You didn’t contract agents to do the roofing work tho so you can’t tell them to remove it unless you want the cost of then returning it to the scaffolding Co too. Check what contract says about collection/take down of the scaffolding normally it will specify this as part of the quote so you haven’t yet received the works and can take builder/scaffolder to small claims court if needed..a legal letter from agents may do the trick
Agree you can ask a discount from agents but the reality is it may not be their fault at all. Perhaps the scaffolders have gone bust, the owner is ill or whatever.
The agents should be trying calling daily, and reporting back to you weekly. If the scaffolders/builders are local they should be able to make contact by going round if needed and finding out what’s going on.
Scaffolding Co’s make their money putting up and taking down as quickly as they can and moving equipment to the next location. They usually do a job in a locality with one in the morning and another in the afternoon to save of travelling time. Unusual that its been left in place unless there is a dispute btw both roofer who sourced his own scaffolder and / or agent.
I once asked a scaffolder for a 6 week hire, it turning into 12 months for the same price and a move from rear to front of property in the middle, both 3 ‘lifts’ high, when on closer inspection found a lot more degradation of pointing, valleys, flashing etc. He had a lot of pipe stock in the yard to use so was not overly bothered.
Suggest you pop a call to the scaffolding managing director and politely ask if there is a problem with getting his gang back to your address to wip everything down pronto, Coffee and biscuits all round on completion!
Why safety hazard? there are HSE rules about best practice to erect scaffolding securely. It should by rights have been issued a safety certificate which is attached to said structure for all to inspect and is completed by the erectors on the day.
It should be a solid immoveble steel structure.
Security wise - there should no ladders to gain access. if there are remove them to a safe location.