Builder Advice Request (Roof) - lwa08fm

Good evening

We are having the fascias and guttering replaced on ours and our neighbour's house. We have scaffolding up to do this and it has seemed quite pricey for what is being done.

Today, we received a text from the builder saying;

"... just to let you know that your valley is not in good condition as is your neighbours. To replace them would be an extra £375+ VAT for yours and £525 for your neighbours. I will send you some photos to see"

We are a bit suspect that he is trying to rip us off and we're not too trusting of him anyway. I am hoping someone here may be able to give a better opinion on the photos. Can you even tell from the photos if the valleys need replacing? And if you can tell, do they need replacing and is that a reasonable price? With the scaffolding up if they do need replacing it would make sense to do it now.

Photos are www.dumpyourphoto.com/photo/view/145627/sjpxUqK and www.dumpyourphoto.com/photo/view/145626/8T9sLJ

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Francis

Builder Advice Request (Roof) - bathtub tom

How many (written) estimates did you get for this work?

''nuff said?

Builder Advice Request (Roof) - lwa08fm

Hi

None for this extra piece of work. I'm just a bit wary that they may be looking to 'find' extra work to do. As I've no expertise in this area I am unable to say from the photographs whether this work does need doing. What I am hoping for by posting here is that someone will see who is able to advise whether they think this work needs doing.

I guess the price is less relevant as we're locked in now with the scaffolding but the main question is whether this needs doing at all.

Many thanks

Francis

Builder Advice Request (Roof) - daveyjp
Get up there and see why your valley isn't as good as ypur neighbours. If it is clear of blockages, the lead is undamaged and water isn't getting in leave it.
Builder Advice Request (Roof) - Chris M

I'm not an expert, but the cementing looks quite ropey, although the lead looks OK. Having said that, I'm not sure the lead is actually lead - looks more like the sticky bitumen you get on a roll. Only the second photo would open for me. Can you get up into the roof space and look for evidence of leaking? A powerful torch helps.

Builder Advice Request (Roof) - Ben 10

Edge of tiles along valley look a bit rough. Valley appears okay. Are you getting any leaks?

If not then okay. Maybe they want to tidy up the tiles more than the valley. If it entails the valley and a line of tiles, then I would say the price is about right.

Yes, only the second photo opened up for me also.

Edited by Ben 10 on 27/10/2012 at 01:27

Builder Advice Request (Roof) - lwa08fm

Thank you all for your help. Went up in the loft with a torch today and can see no sign of leaks so think we will leave it as it is.

With an old house I am sure there is a long list of things that can be found to replace.

Builder Advice Request (Roof) - concrete

Iwa08fm, The tiles look fine for typical clay or concrete tiles. The Lead looks fine too. Lead does not 'wear' out merely by having rainwater flow over it. My Lead flashings are over 80 years old and still servicable. If you have no water penetration in the area around the valley then do not replace them. The chances are they would remove the Lead and replace it wilth foil faced bitumen, which is inferior. The only problem seems to be where the sarking or the mortar pointing is protruding from the under the roof tiles. This may need re pointing, thats all. If you have not had any water penetration, especially during the recent severe rainfall, it points to the valley being sound and servicable. Leave well alone. Cheers Concrete