Sorting Out Contractors Bill (Insurance)

Effy38

Hi Everyone,

We are trying to sort out the final bill for contractors who did work in our home via an insurance claim.

The first contractor walked out on the job; stripping most of the wallpaper and filling a few cracks in our ceilings. A second contractor completed the job.

We need to know how much to pay the first contractor. Has anyone been in this position, did the insurance company offer advice about it or did you negotiate it yourself?

Any advice would be great.

Thank you.

huckster

Who organised for the contractors to do the work ? From what you have said, the Insurers have given you a sum of money or permission to spend up to a certain level. If this is the case, I would suggest that you settle the bill for second contractor as atleast they completed the job. In regard to the first contractor if they did not fulfil their contract, then I would suggest that you see what is left and then make a judgement based on the work they actually did. Perhaps estimate say £10 per hour labour and say £20 for materials. I can't see how the first contractor can complain, unless they had good reason for walking off the job.

If there is not enough money to settle on this basis, speak to your Insurers. It may actually be a good idea to speak to your Insurers about this anyway, to see if they are ok with this approach.

Effy38

Hi, thanks for your reply. We were told to get quotes for work to be done. Did this and submitted it to the insurers. They choose the contractor out of the two or three. The second contractor matched the same amount of the quote as the first contractor, it's now putting an amount to how much it is worth.

I think we will have to speak to insurers as to the best approach. Just wondered if anyone had been in the same boat and how they dealt with it. Thanks.

rs65

If the insurers instructed the contractor then its up to them to pay them. You shouldn't need to get involved.

property.advert

I've had contractors walk off jobs before, sometimes after putting in many hours and supplying quite a lot of materials. Tough luck, none has seen a penny, nor in fact asked for any, which I found even odder.

They are in breach of contract, the remedy for which is damages, which means money. Pay nothing.