What this stage means
Most disputes are prevented by clear scope, photos, written variations, and completion checks. If something goes wrong, stay factual, collect evidence, and work through the agreed process before escalation.
How to get this stage right
If a problem emerges, act in this order: first protect the building — arrange urgent weatherproofing regardless of whose fault it is, and keep the receipts. Second, document everything: dated photos, the original scope, variation records, invoices, and a short written timeline of what happened when. Third, notify the contractor in writing, describe the issue factually, and give them reasonable opportunity to inspect and remedy.
Most roofing disagreements settle at this stage, because licensed professionals have strong reasons — reputation, LBP standing, statutory obligations — to fix genuine defects. Keep communication civil and written; angry phone calls leave no record and harden positions.
If resolution stalls, escalate stepwise: the dispute process named in your contract, then independent mediation, then the Disputes Tribunal for claims within its limits, or a Building Act determination for certain consent and Building Code questions. Statutory implied warranties under the Building Act protect residential building work separately from any contract — even when paperwork is thin. Take advice before litigation; on most residential claims, costs escalate faster than recoveries.
Checklist
- Keep scope and variations in writing
- Use photos and dates, not memory
- Separate urgent weatherproofing from blame
- Escalate calmly if resolution stalls
Roofing FAQs
01 The roofer has stopped responding. What now?
Send one clear written notice — email is fine — summarising the issue, the evidence, what remedy you seek, and a reasonable deadline to respond. If silence continues, that notice becomes the foundation for mediation or a Disputes Tribunal claim, both of which are designed to work without lawyers.
02 Do I still have rights if there was no written contract?
Yes. Statutory implied warranties under the Building Act apply to residential building work regardless of paperwork: work must be done competently, with suitable materials, and comply with the Building Code. A written record of what was agreed — even text messages and invoices — strengthens how those rights are enforced.
This guide is published by Full Tree — steel roof repair and re-roofing specialists in Auckland and across NZ. Talk to us before you sign a roofing contract.
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