x-no-archive: yes
We recently hired a roofer to replace the roof (full strip and new felt,flashing,water/ice shield, new ridge vent installed etc) of our house. The contracted price was Amount A, made in 3 payments. Prior to signing, I also stated a complete clean-up & sufficient soffit ventilation in the contract. The house had substandard soffit ventilation and ice damming had been a problem in the past. The contract also included a 5 year workmanship warranty and a 10 year extended "System Plus" warranty from the manufacturer, GAF. Soffit vents were discussed with the estimator and again before the job started.
The contract also stated that any additional work which required additional payment would be due before the work began. The roofer accepted the contract and cashed the deposit (1st) payment. Sometime later they began work and the second payment was made.. The started on a day when there was rain in the forecast, and stopped work that day after rain had began. Due to severe storms (some water penetrated into the attic), work could not resume for several days.
They did finish the shingles when the weather cleared several days later, which took about a half a day of work. When they said they were finished, I inquired about the soffit vents, which had not been added. I pointed out that they were in the contract. The foreman said he would have to check with the office. The next business day, someone arrived and said we already had soffit vents. I said, yes that is true but there are not many and they are quite small, under 30 square inches total. He added several vents, but instead of cutting a square hole (e.g. just smaller than the metal vents) he drilled 3 large holes, so that the total venting area is significantly less than the vent. (The same GAF vents may be purchased for less than $2/ea at home depot.)
Since the job was complete, the final payment was made, and Amount A was paid (and checks cashed) in full. Shortly thereafter, an invoice arrived (Amount B) for soffit vents.
I disagree that I owe Amount B. Soffit vents were included the contract, which the roofer did accept. No agreement was made to pay Amount B. The shingle manufacturer, GAF, requires 1 sq inch or soffit ventilation for every sq inch of exhaust ventilation in their documentation, and a ridge vent increased the exhaust ventilation.
The roofer claims that GAF vent requirements are only a "recommendation." Roof also claims that I owe Amount B because he did not agree to the soffit vents and he had to send someone on a separate visit (he could have done everything on the same visit). The roofer also says that he will not activate warranties until everything is paid, despite that Amount A was for a contract that included warranties and Amount A has been paid in full.
What is the most fair way to resolve the situation?
Thanks!