Contractors went into administration - what are my rights? Insurance job

fairy_magik

Hi, I am fed up with trying to deal with my insurance company - the one with the red telephone lol! Hoping someone can be more helpful than them!

In August 2009 (yep so blooming long ago) my downstairs neighbour had a house fire and we were affected, the whole house etc had to be re decorated and all our belongings replaced, it was hell but everyone was OK. UK Assist were the loss adjusters and they recommended we use a local company to do all our work in the house but we had nothing but problems! For example, they have invoiced for papering (they hung a bit upside down), 2 coats of paint - they did 1 coat of dulux once, sanding down and glossing woodwork - they painted over the dust etc which has caused it to look awful, they chipped my bath, never replaced door handles, got paint down my toilet, painted 1 side of doors and left the others, SMOKING in our house and stubbed out a cigarette on my fridge, windows were covered in paint and the place was left a right mess! - We spent our time trying to fix it all ourself, spending our own money etc.

I sent them various letters but had no sensible reply. I have their money in my account - insurance sent me their invoice total and I was to pay them but witheld payment until it was all fixed. They were meant to come and see the issues last March but never turned up.

I sent a letter to UK Assist complaining and they never responded and then I got a letter from Administrators saying that the contractors were in administration and I owed them money so I sent them copies of all the correspondence and spoke to UK Assist again who came to see me. The Loss Adjuster said that the company who took over the contractors business would come and see what works needed done and then give me compensation for what work we did - this was in October when I was 5 months pregnant - still not heard anything.

I now have a month old baby and am sick of all this waiting, no one has contacted us and we have eventually had to do all the work ourselves, painting, sanding etc as there was no way I was waiting till baby was here to have them in the house!

The house still smells of smoke when heating is on because the cupboard where the fire came up was only painted - it and the floor was never treated to seal in smoke and I am still unhappy!

What would be my rights now? I do not want them in the house, I have had enough and do not feel they should be paid considering I have had to do half the work, would it cost me to fight this?

Any info would be great as I am fed up now and want it out the way!

thanks

ormus

just keep on refusing to pay them. its very unlikely they will persue the matter.
i doubt they will spend even more more money on legal fees to get back a relatively small amount of money.
after the dust settles then use the money to get the job done properly.

Alan_M_2

Make a formal complaint to the Insurers.

Make the complaint factual and present it like a diary.

If nothing else this will give you the documentation you need to defend against someone pursuing the money they think they're owed.

dacouch

If the Contractors were recommended / appointed by your own Insurers, then your own Insurers are responsible for any short falls in payments and are also still responsible for making good any damage that is covered by the policy