Unauthorised work - where do I stand?

I have a place in Cairns - paying exorbitant insurance on a 3 bed house (5000k pa). As per other threads, I've been getting quotes.

Elders (allegedly one of the cheaper) required confirmation that the roof was up to code.

I asked my property manager for an inspection to verify - she came back with "its not, it needs roof screws. Would you like me to arrange a quote?"

I responded - "Yes. A quote only - for now".

I've just called the roofer to clarify whether this is all it needs, and he tells me he is on the roof now, has put in about 1200 screws, and that he has a work order to complete the job!!

I was awaiting Elders to give me a hypothetical quote to see if the cost was worth it!

Where do I stand?

I'm happy enough IF Elders can give me a premium that makes it worthwhile (still waiting a call back), but if not then I'm not happy that I should foot the bill for work I didn't approve!

 

There was a similar thread not too long ago about the property manager authorising work that was unapproved.. I guess your first recourse would be through the small claims tribunal if you want to fight it. Should be pretty easy to prove as the property manager should have something in writing from you to approve the work..

 

Off topic.. I'm interested to know why your insurance company wants you to upgrade your roofing? Simply adding in more roof screws doesn't make it compliant if the battens aren't screwed correctly. Was the roof installed recently and they know only the roof sheeting screws were non-compliant?

 

This is PRECISELY why I hadn't given the go ahead for the work!!

 

I emailed my PM (paper trail and all), and she replied "I didn't give him the go ahead either" !!!
Now what? (I can ask her now)


Anyway, Cairns up date:
Rentals slightly softening, nothing dramatic just current demand not so great
Tenants very sensitive to rent increases - no increase on the horizon

 

Ask him to send a copy of the work order to you - that will show the 'work' requested ie PM asked for quote only or stuffed up and asked for job to be completed.

 

So the cowboy builder didn't get authority from anyone? Tell him politely since the work wasn't authorised and he was to quote only, then he's not getting paid.

He will most likely go back to your house and recover his screws leaving you with 1200 holes in your roof.. file a claim with you insurance company for malicious damage. They pay for your new roof.. all code compliant

 

Genius!!
A friend needed to replace his roof as it was old and leaking into his kitchen (veeeeeery flash kitchen and renovated house).
THe insurance came out to investigate his minor claim, looked at the roof, told him there was hail damage and replaced it for nothing.

 

Let the property manager deal with it. They should be able to produce evidence on whether it was a quote request or a work order that they sent out

 

Ahhh the old "work order" seems tradies and PM's use that one to their advantage!! We were waiting air con repairs, LL did a dodgey install, rang the pm multiple times to get fixed. Old mate shows up and said he knew about the job for weeks but never got a work order so knew not to come out. Seems this guy is going the other way to get a start! Lol

He'll know it was a gamble to start. Is construction quiet up there? Let the pm deal with it, instruct them your not paying. That's why you use a pm! Lucky you spoke with him to get a heads up

 

The PM definitely didn't order it.
Ill pay him if and when it achieves what I needed it to, otherwise no deal.

 

At a guess I'd say it's an older place with a corrugated roof,.
In the old days they used roofing nails to hold the sheets down, with movement over the years the nail holes get/got bigger than the nails, sometimes bigger than the nail head, lets rain in, easily rips the sheets off in strong winds.

Bugga of a job, the nails are usually in Jarra so not easy to get out without breaking them, or damaging the sheets, then ya have to get the tek screws in ensuring the holes are sealed.

Easier to put in teks then silicon the nails.

 

Probably figured while he was on the roof to check it out and quote on it, that for an extra hour's work he could finish it off. Hope the bill aint too bad and roof is now compliant.

 

What if he sues you? Will you be willing to fund a legal battle?

 

Sues me for what?
I've got a paper trail demonstrating no work order, and if he can't produce one, then what?

No, he just said the spacing was every 3rd or 4th batten rather than every 2nd, which is apparently the modern cyclone standard.

 

Sue you for breach of contract.

 

I don't believe I entered into a contract, and the PM asked him for a quote. It seems she sent a work order for another property and he confused the two.

Does he really have a case? To get on my property and do work to it, then expect me to pay?

 

How much are we even talking about here? do you think the work was required?

 

Well you might have to prove that in court. He will no doubt argue you, or the agent, gave a verbal go ahead. It will cost you to do this and if you lose you will have to pay your costs and some of his legal costs.

But he may not sue.

 

$1200
If it doesn't allow a building inspector to say that the roof is up to code, then it's insufficient.