Advice needed about insurance claim and builders

danilyon

Hello everyone,

Just thought I'd see if anybody has any general advice.

Our bathroom ceiling has a huge crack in and mould on and needs to be taken down and a new ceiling put up. We went through the insurance, who sent out a trace and search guy to see whether there was a leak in the pipes in the roof. Turns out we have a slipped tile in the roof so water has been leaking in and thats why the ceiling has cracked and we have the mould.

An inspector from the company came out to assess the damage to see what we would be entitled to. Now before they came out I told them that there wall in the bathroom was damaged, as the paint had bubbled and when it had looked damp a few weeks earlier hubby had lightly touched the area but the wall cracked and some came away. The lady said this would be the case if we had a leak and that it shouldn't affect anything. When the inspector came out she said that we would be offered a cash settlement to replace the ceiling and repaint the bathroom as the work wouldn't be able to be completed fully because of the damage to the wall. I could be wrong, but myself and my hubby both think that the damage to the wall has been caused by this leak. Surely this would/should be covered by our insurance company and should be repaired at the same time as the ceiling? The inspector said she would call me later this week with a cash settlement offer when she had calculated it all but by my understanding this will only be an amount to cover the replaced ceiling plus the painting for the bathroom. If the damage to the wall has been caused by the leak would we have to make a seperate claim for this or should the inspector have noted this down when she carried out the inspection? Should we ring the company back and query this or wait until she rings with a cash setttlement offer?

Obviously with it being a cash settlement we will have to find our own builder to carry out the work. There are a few other odd jobs that we need doing such as the skimming and replastering of a wall in one of the bedrooms and we also need a banister putting in our staircase as we don't currently have one. We have a builder coming to give us a quote for the work we want doing in the house tomorrow. I am going to ask him to quote the bathroom seperately (with repair for the wall and without) so that when the inspector comes back to us we have an idea of how good the cash settlement is and whether it will cover the work that needs doing. If it doesn't then do we try and get them to up the cash settlement offer or....? We obviously want to get a few quotes off different people for the jobs we need doing but neither me or my hubby have ever dealt with builders before so was wondering whether anyone had any tips for us?

Sorry for asking so may questions but I'm a bit useless when it comes to stuff like this!!

Thanks in advance

iamcornholio

Can you summarise the questions into one or two sentences?

McKneff

Leave out everything except for the bathromm.

danilyon

:)Sorry for not being very clear

Basically my question is:

We think the damage to the bathroom wall was caused by the leak which caused the damage to the ceiling. Since we have buildings and contents insurance, shouldn't the damage to the wall be covered by the insurance to fix it if it? The inspector made no mention of the wall being paid for to be fixed so should we ring back and query this?

Also:

The ceiling is being replaced. We may have to hire a builder to replace it. The area of the ceiling is 4.4 square metres. Does anyone have any idea of a guide price for when we get quotes off the builder so we know we aren't being ripped off? The ceiling is plasterboard btw.

Thanks again

Alias_Omega

Im sure the builder will fix the damage to the wall within the price. You just need to ask.

As with the extra plastering, this will come under as extras as its not in the same room, but wont be that expensive as the workmen will be on-site and kit all in place.




I would not lift 1 finger to the bathroom, the insurance company have paid out for the work to be done. So this price will include removing the old ceiling, fitting a new one, plastering / artex as required, painting and making good the area.

You can get as many quotes as you like from the builders, some may charge you for the estimate refunded if they take out the work.

You wont know what to pay until at least 2 have been, but if the price is right then why not go for it.

McKneff

And I wouldnt get anyone in for a quote who is going to charge for their time. whether they will refund off the price if they get the work or not.

There are plenty of builders who'se time is in built into their hourly/daily rate as is the rest of their expenses, van, insurances etc.

And you pay them, the other builder comes along, cheaper, you lose the money you paid up front to the other builder.