Bad Job on New Fence

BigMarv

Hi all,

Sorry if this is the wrong forum.

Very recently I had a fence installed (On Friday). The fence itself is about 3 foot high, and installed on top a brick wall (single brick thickness - again about 3 foot high). The brick wall itself was slightly damaged in places (i.e. needs repointing). The wall is about 35 meters long.

The fencer who installed the fence installed posts using metal plates screwed into the brick using wall plugs (not stable) and slotted the panels inbetween.

Last night with the high winds, the fence blew over, ripping out a couple of layers of bricks out in the process (in a few places). I saw the fence rippling in the wind (which I would estimate at being 40 mph) before it collapsed. I think if I leaned heavily on the fence I probably could have pushed it over myself (i.e. not very strong).

I was charged about 700 quid for the work, about 350 quid for the panels (now some are damaged), and its probably going to cost 500 quid to fix the brick wall as well.

In my opinion, the fence was not fit for purpose. Although the wall was slightly damaged, I don't think it would have helped much even if it was very strong (other than not have damaged the brickwall when the fence blew over). Even if the posts holding in place reached to the ground and secured to the wall - I'm not convinced this would have helped much (and may have damaged the wall even more).

While the fencer may argue that the brick wall was damaged and extra posts were needed (he mentioned it needed repointing, but not extra posts until the day of the storm), I'm wondering if I am in a strong position to ask for my money back or go through a small claims court?

Ta for any help.:cool:

Optimist

You had a fence installed on Friday and it blew over last night.

I think I would be calling the installer back to see what he says first.

Hintza

I don't thinkyou have much of a leg to stand on. It doesn't sound as if the wall was struturally sound to start with if it has taken off a couple of courses of brick.

Sounds like the fence was fine.

BigMarv

Thanks.

I'd like to point out that the fence blow over in most places without damaging the wall; implying that the brick wall was fine at least in some places.

It was attached with wall plugs(!)

bod1467

Although the fencer should have made the OP aware that putting a fence on such a structure was unsafe. The contractor is assumed to have expertise in such matters.

BigMarv

I spoke to the installer and his attitude was "I told you so" and "shame it was so windy".

Hintza

BigMarv wrote: »

I spoke to the installer and his attitude was "I told you so" and "shame it was so windy".

Well you now know where you stand, he is saying you are at fault. Now all you can do is see if he will help out at all if not then your only course of action will be small claims (letter before action etc).

He obvioulsy feels in a strong position.

Hintza

bod1467 wrote: »

Although the fencer should have made the OP aware that putting a fence on such a structure was unsafe. The contractor is assumed to have expertise in such matters.

The contractor has made his position clear and obviously feels he warned the OP.

Optimist

BigMarv wrote: »

I spoke to the installer and his attitude was "I told you so" and "shame it was so windy".

The question really is, What did he tell you ?

BigMarv

I'll need to sift through the emails.

The point I'd like to make is; Even if the wall was strong, the fence still would have fallen off (just the brickwork would have been more likely to take it). I saw the fence rippling in the wind before it fell.

While I could agree I should pay for the brickwork, my concern would be if the fence were to be reinstalled, it would still collapse in a strong wind, potentially damaging even a "strong" wall.

Hintza

My neighbours attached 6' panels to a Stock Fence and the whole lot was down with the next wind.


I suspect that if he had attached it any better you would be looking at more damage to the wall. A single width of a brick wall just will not be strong enough in my view.

I think you need to take proper advice on how to sort this out properly.