Are we geting ripped off?

[specialk]

Hi,

After a roofing company just started work on re-roofing our house, the contractor called to say that since teh house has 2x1" wood slats, we will have to pay approx 2500 dollars to have it covered in plywood first. He said this is very common in older homes. If it's common, shouldn;t he have informed us that this would be a potential issue before we signed the contract? Better still, shouldn't he have checked first? What can we do?!

Thanks!

[Rich]

I don't think you're getting ripped off... with the cost of plywood right now I'm surprised it's not more. Now as far as having to add plywood - I think that would depend on what exactly the roofing material is - most likely asphalt shingles. If it were tin you could probably get away without plywood.
Now as far as the contractor checking first.. absolutely. Is what should've happened is a full site investigation - not only what is going on the roof and what is existing but what are access paths in and out..etc. Without that investigation the contractor can call it an unforeseen condition. As stated earlier it seems to be his issue of doing a client due diligence and giving a full investigation.
I guess with that knowledge you can make your case to the contractor and see if he would be willing to split some costs with you.

[grumpydasmurf]

Well you already have my answer, so no reason to repeat myself.

Rich typically the plywood is installed for a nailing base. Your probably right about the metal, though I am not 100% sure. But if it is the asphalt shingles the plywood MUST be installed.

The real problem here is this is a hidden charge to the home owner. Many roofers won't give a roofing estimate until they inspect the attics. I admit I am not one of them, but had he inspected the attic he woulda known instantly.

Again I am not taking anyones side since I once made this mistake myself. :)

OH! SOmething I just thought of, if you have any gables make sure a drip edge is installed over the plywood. This hides and protects the plywood. If the drip edge is not installed then passers-by will be able to see the plywood edged AND you can look forward to rotten plywood. This is for gables.

SOme contractors have idemnification clauses in their contracts that paraphrased basically say "If the work isn't listed in the specifications, it will carry an additional charge, regardless of error or fault." I've seen this clause plenty. Who knows if it's enforceable but what I do know is if they hire a lawyer they best they will do is break even.

[Rich]

Ummm.. yeah that's exactly what I said. And as far as knowing what plywood is for - I know that too. Done plenty of roofs with no sheathing - but only for metal with purlins.

[specialk]

Thank you for taking the time to respind. We met w/ the contractor last nite and he's not budging. Said even if he had seen the roof fron teh sttic there would have been no way of knowing for sure what would be involved. Well, at least we'll know for our next roof and other services we will need, to ask way more questions and do research beforehand. (we are first-time homebuyers)

Grumpy, what you said about the drip egde - can this be done after the shingles are on? They roof is finished now...

[Rich]

The drip edge can be installed afterwards.. but it's much more difficult and could end up causing damage to the shingles. Careful is the way.

[grumpydasmurf]

Special K, that's BS. If he saw the roof from the attic he would have known that it needs plywood period. You can see a 2" space, or more, between the boards. Now I am on your side, because he's either incompitent or lying.

I again ask, because I never got an answer, how did you sign an additonal work order for the plywood?

Rich is correct. It depends how far over they nailed. The drip edge is about 3" under the shingles. Usually a roofer nails tight to the edge to prevent uplift.

[specialk]

Well, my finace and I were on the way to work and the contractor called to say that's what needed to be done. My finace's not the type to ask q's, plus the workers were already up on teh roof working, and we weren't offered any other options. We didn't sign anything regarding putting the plywood on- but, we did give the verbal ok to go ahead w/ it

[grumpydasmurf]

Oh verbal ok=bad

In my state a verbal ok is as good as a signature, but if you lie and say you never said go ahead then it's your word against his.

Does his contract have a clause that says no verbal revisions? Ours does but we do verbal revisons all the time. Never on $2500 though... Maybe on $250.

Do you know how many squares your roof is? I'm trying to figure if he's overcharging for the plywood.