Contractor queston: when is "under roof" under roof?

[Richard]

Here's why I ask...

You can see SOME pictures in this thread if you want

"Rainhandler" anyone using it? opinions? - TractorByNet.com

Bottom line... we're adding on a small room which will of course, have a roof. We are however, adding a roof across the ENTIRE front porch. Neither one are built yet.

My contract says I owe the builder the next payment when we are "under roof" If it matters, this is not the final payment. Final payment is due when they are "done".

Does 'under roof' mean:

1. New room only?
2. New room AND roof over porch?
3. Does it mean plywood roof, or shingled roof? (at what stage is it, under roof?)

Nit picks, so I'm asking now, before I get to that stage so that I can have some thought into when does under mean under...

From a builders point of view, I can see the earliest point...that being, when the room has a plywood roof.

From the point of view of the person who's paying the bill and not wanting to get too far in front with cash payments, I can see where the entire roofline should be done AND shingled.

So, I'm asking for other points of view.

 

[mbohuntr]

I only worked with contractors once in that situation, I think they are referring to when the roof is complete, intact, and functioning as designed. (shingled )Call the bank agent for clarification.

 

[CurlyDave]

Ask the contractor what "under roof means to him. If you don't like his answer, call up the contractor's licensing board and ask them what it means.

 

[EddieWalker]

The term is too vague to say for sure, and it's meaning is up to your contractor when he wrote up the contract. He should have been specific with you when each stage of work is done and payment is due. He should also have included that payment is due at the satisfactory completion of that work. I've had many people call me up to finish a job that they paid a contractor for doing, but wasn't done. They knew it wasn't done, but he told them he needed the money to pay his crews and would finish it shortly. Of course, once paid, everyone disappeared. In one case, the crews were never paid and he lost the money gambling. From what I understand, he got his Grandmother to pay everyone to keep him out of jail.

Eddie

 

[MarkV]

Around here it would mean when interior spaces are under a water tight roof. With as much extra roofing as you are doing that does not involve interior spaces, porch, I would make sure you are both on the same page before it becomes an issue. As someone mentioned, if bank financing is involved they will have a very definite opinion before releasing the funds.

MarkV

 

[john_bud]

When is a roof a "roof"? I would say when it is a completed roof and able to take on all "roof" functions. Rain, wind, snow, sleet, meteors, (ok - that last one may be over the top) etc.

 

[framer]

I would agree contract is alittle vague. Under roof usally means to banks
shingles applied.Some times as a contractor will ask for draws after roof
decking applied in winter there can be delays shingling.Ask contractor for break down estimate if not satifyed with draw
Framer

 

[EddieWalker]

That's where I was unsure because I've heard it both ways. The framers will deck the roof, but a different crew puts down the shingles. Since the General Contractor has to pay each separately, he might request a draw after each crew is done with their stage of the building.

In other cases, the General Contractor has his own people and he puts down the decking and shingles with them. That's how I do it, so I tell the client that payment is due after the roof is totally done.

Eddie

 

[JB4310]

May be a geographically sensitive term but around here a roof is the finished weatherproof uppermost surface of the building.

Otherwise your just under a plywood deck. Most likely the builder meant under the completed roof, if not then you'll probably have other problems like when is "done" done.

 

[Richard]

Thank you all for the input. I too, kind of feel that under roof would (or should) mean a complete, operational roof and not a skeleton with plywood attached.

I feared I was being a bit too retentive by even wondering about it.