Roofing firm in liquidation

A Christchurch roofing contractor’s company has gone into liquidation, despite saying he was working to help a trail of unhappy customers.

The Press revealed on Saturday Essential Roofing Limited, run by Christchurch man Macaulay Marchant, owed customers thousands of dollars worth of work he was yet to begin.

The customers include a 77-year-old woman who paid Marchant about $6000 and a man owed more $15,000 worth of work.

Marchant told The Press on Friday he had taken on too much work, was ‘‘snowed under’’ and understaffed.

He hoped to have everything sorted within a month and to compensate homeowners. The company was also in discussion with licensed contractors to complete the work in a ‘‘timely manner’’. ‘‘I am readily in contact with everyone and we hope to tidy it all up as soon as possible.’’

On Saturday, the website for his business said the company had been placed into liquidation.

Companies Office records show Marchant put the company into liquidation on Friday night.

Marchant said yesterday he would contact the customers for each job outstanding and vowed to complete them. He confirmed the liquidation.

The company, which was incorporated in August 4, 2017, earlier claimed on its website to be ‘‘Canterbury’s #1 roofing option’’.

Mary Jamieson, 77, earlier said she had contacted Marchant last month to fix a leak in the roof of her laundry.

Shortly after he paid her a visit, during which he made a good impression, Marchant sent her a text saying he needed a deposit of $1610, including GST, for scaffolding. The following day Marchant asked for a deposit of $4600, including GST, for the rest of the work.

Jamieson deposited the money into his account, but never saw him again. What followed over the coming weeks was a number of excuses as to why no work had been done.

Detective Sergeant Don Fisher confirmed the Christchurch police fraud squad was investigating several complaints in relation to a local roofing contractor.