Contractor damaged Neighbours wall?

Samantha1985_2

Hi folks,

We are having our house rewired - it is a semi, whilst he was channeling the walls to put the wires though he has damaged my neighbours wall, the plaster is cracked and the skirting has come away from the wall.

I am concerned about the stability of the wall & obviously repairing the damage to the neighbours lounge wall :rolleyes:.

I have not paid the electrician just yet and he has not mentioned the damage to me - it happened yesterday while I was at work and my neighbour told me first thing this morning. The neighbour also informed the electrician who went and had a look but said they would need to speak with me.

From my point of view I feel like the electrician should have to repair this and make sure the wall is good etc?

I would like to know how I stand, I am due to pay the electrician tomorrow - would it be unreasonable for me to withhold a portion of the wage?

Thanks in advance for your input

Samantha

lrr_2

I wouldnt pay him until it was sorted out, especially as he hasnt even told you about it yet. Dont want bad blood between neighbours and he takes the money and runs whilst you are left to deal with what he has done.

Good luck!

Anihilator

Has the electrician been neglient?

Personally I would pay him for his work but make him aware you are reporting the damage to insurers and they may be in contact with him/his insurers.

He's only liable if he has been neglient though.

muskoka

I'd withold the amount of money its likely to cost to repair. More important you keep in with neighbours - having said that you need to get the certificates from electrician....

mikey72

Anihilator wrote: »

Has the electrician been neglient?

Personally I would pay him for his work but make him aware you are reporting the damage to insurers and they may be in contact with him/his insurers.

He's only liable if he has been neglient though.

You're liable for your contractors as well. He should have public liabilty insurance.

Optimist

The workman is acting on your instructions and is effectively your employee you might have a claim against him but it is your responsibility to repair the damage caused.

If the electrician hasn't mentioned it to you by now you need to raise it with him.

Samantha1985_2

mikey72 wrote: »

You're liable for your contractors as well. He should have public liabilty insurance.

By this do you mean I am liable in full as opposed to the contractor?

mikey72

Samantha1985 wrote: »

By this do you mean I am liable in full as opposed to the contractor?

You're liable as you employed the contractor. If the contractor has insurance, and the neighbour can claim off them directly, ie, they are given the details, that's normally who they would claim from. If there is a problem, no insurance, don't know who the electrician is, etc, they can equally claim from your insurance, as you employed the contractor.

Samantha1985_2

So atm I am thinking to withhold enough hopefully cover cost of the repair although tbh I really dont know how much it will cost or if there is any major repairs needed - I always thought there were two walls and insulation between linked houses :eek:

I will asked about insurance details but I have a feeling he wont give me these as he gave a good price and its a friend of a builder relative who I have let manage the renovations to my house but I know he wanted a cash payment

Optimist

Is he actually a approved contractor and able to give you Part P certification for his work ?

Samantha1985_2

Optimist wrote: »

Is he actually a approved contractor and able to give you Part P certification for his work ?

I assume so, I will get certificate for the work and he is properly qualified as an electrician - he is not a fly by night guy or anything but a seasoned electrician which my uncle has been using for years.