Q. I need some guidance on getting some roof issues resolved. In December, I engaged a roofing company to re-slate the main roof of my house and put in new insulation. I paid the manager in full. I was given a full warranty of 25 years. Since then, three issues have arisen which I have brought to the attention of the manager; in particular water ingress around the chimney. In recent weeks, I text the manager with the dates I am home so he might check on the work and see if issues are covered under the warranty. He has not visited at the agreed times. I asked local Gardaí and it was explained that they deal with criminal law and not civil law. I could engage another roofing company, but might that invalidate the warranty? This unhappy situation is wearing me down.
Dear Reader,
Firstly, Gardaí are correct in that this is purely a civil issue.
In general terms, it is always advisable in such situations to retain a certain sum of money from the overall price until you are fully satisfied with the works.
At first instance, you should remain engaged with the contractor to give them every opportunity to deal with the issues under the warranty. It might be the case that they are committed to remedying the work and are simply trying to ascertain the extent of works required. For example, it may be difficult to confirm water egress in a period without much rain. I note it has been some five months since the works commenced, and that the manager has failed to meet you on a number of occasions.
You should instruct a solicitor to write to the contractor to confirm the issues and to note you wish same to be dealt with under the warranty within 14 days, failing which you will be left with little option but to institute proceedings.
You would also need to engage an engineer to confirm the current difficulties with the property arise from the works carried out, and not merely a very unhappy coincidence.
You, or your solicitor, should also obtain a quote for any remedial works. It is this sum that you would be claiming from the contractor. Your solicitor will advise you to give every opportunity to the contractor to deal with the matter in the short term, but if it is clear that they are not going to honour the terms of the warranty then you would be left with no option but to carry out the remedial works and sue the contractor for that amount.