floor fitter killed my security system - liable?

glamlovinkitty

Hello

Hope someone can advise - I think I know the answer, but want to be certain before taking action.

We moved into our new house a few months ago and spent a fortune on real wood flooring. The place we bought it from recommended a fitter that they regularly used, though he isnt employed by them. He did a decent job and we were happy.

We then asked him back to do another floor a few weeks later. He didnt turn up and wasnt even going to let me know, til I phoned him to ask where he was. He was pretty rude and unpleasant. I complained to the shop that had recommended him and finally, about two weeks later, he came and did the work (making it apparent he wasnt happy).

We've had to get him back out twice to repair bits that werent right. Two floors started to lift up because he didnt leave enough space round the skirtings to allow for the wood expanding when it warmed up.

Last time was on Friday, when he came round and took a bit off the edges to allow the floor to fit back down. After he'd left, we noticed our burglar alarm keypad wasnt lit up. After a lot of investigation, we discovered he had not only put a nail through the cable in two places, he'd also completely sliced through it in another place. We replaced the cable and it still didnt work - turns out he also blew the circuit and the alarm will need a new circuit board. Potentially v expensive on top of the call out charge.

Ive tried to contact him about this to confirm his liability insurance will cover it but of course he's not replying. Also all I have is a phone number (a mobile) and can find no trace of his company name on the internet/phone books. (I can go back to the shop that recommended him if necessary to get more details).

My question, after this long winded explanation, is - is he liable to pay for the repair to my alarm? He would have seen that there were cables and been more careful - and yet he damaged it in three different places.

I really cant afford to pay for this myself, as since moving house my hand has never been out of my purse.

MothballsWallet

A few suggestions:

1. Do you have legal cover on your home insurance? It may be worth talking to that provider for advice, even if you don't (someone else on here has mentioned trying that for someone else).
2. Was the floor fitter independent or a contractor for the place you bought the flooring from? I'd try speaking to him first and the shop - the more you try to do this, the better it'll look if you have to take more serious steps.
3. Do you know if he's a member of any trade bodies/professional associations? If so, contact them for advice.
4. Try Consumer Direct or CAB for further advice.

Hope these help

glamlovinkitty

Thanks for your reply MW - I do have legal cover, I hadn't even thought of that!

He's not associated to the floor company to my knowledge, they just have a pool of local fitters that they supply you with details of - he's not paid by them or employed by them.

I've found it impossible to find out any more info about this floor fitter -he has a business card but all it has on it is the name and a mobile no - same on the side of his van. Not listed in any directory on in fact anywhere on google!

It's on to the company to chase him now.