Workmen chipped new bath - Repair or Replace?

annimooboo

Hi all,

I'm hoping you can help with a dilemma that I have.

I moved into an old property 2 months ago and since this time, my husband and I have been doing some major improvements. One of these was the fitting of a new bathroom suite approximately 6 weeks ago.

Last week, we had different workmen in the house to replace the boiler and remove the old tanks and whilst undertaking this work, a tool dropped in the bath and we now have a small(ish) chip - approximately 1cm.

We've advised the company and they have offered to repair the chip and have advised that there are some great kits around to repair it "like new".

Now, my issue with this is that the bath is only 6 weeks old and is due to last for the next 5-10 years(??) - why should I have to settle for a repair rather than a replacement?

Whilst I agree (after doing some research) that these "kits" can be quite handy, what happens after 6 months or a year if the repair fades or is worn out, then we are still left with a chip and we couldn't go back to the workmen and ask them to repair again.

I hope that this post doesn't come across greedy or spoilt but after ploughing our life savings into this house, I was really upset to discover the chip and personally, I think they should repair like for like and make good any tiling, sealing etc that they will be disturbing.

Thoughts/comments would be appreciated as I'd like to know what other people would do/ask for in the same situation.

Thanks in advance!

Yolina

I wouldn't accept a repair either and would push for a replacement particularly given how new it is. Oh and my bath is 21 years old and absolutely pristine and I'd still be mighty annoyed (to put it politely) if workmen were to damage it and only offer a repair, though it would depend on the location and visibility of the chip

searchlight123

if the workmen were from a bona fide company they must have public liability insurance and this would no doubt cover an accident like this, so push for a replacement bath (given how new it is).
they probably do not want to risk increased premiums by submitting a claim but that's not your problem.

becs

If it was a bath that had been in a while I would say a repair was reasonable, however as it is only 6 weeks old I would definitely be requesting a new one for the reasons you have stated. What happens 12 months down the line if the repair starts to have problems.

phill99

Its a lot of hassle to replace just a bath - tiles often need to come out etc.

I would go for a repair, but get it professionally done. If it went through the workmens liability insurance, they would insist on a repair as its only a scratch or a chip.

I've seen the work that the professional bath repair companies do and you would never notice the repair.

andyhop

Repairs leave the bath as good as new, New coatings are just as good as manufactor finish

Try a nationwide company such as MagicMan who give a good warranty for your peace of mind

While i know most would say change, the distruption it causes and the fact you will never fit a new bath into existing tiles and get a good finish counteracts a simple repair which will last

Us tradesmen are not perfect and unfortunatly accidents can happen!

dawyldthing

the problem is when the repair gets worse as if you don't notice then water can end up seeping through flooding your floorboards and whatever is underneath. I'd deffo push for a replacement

jafsie

You would be a sucker to accept a "repair" it's a no brainer, they broke it it's their responsibility to replace it at their expense.

phill99

jafsie wrote: »

You would be a sucker to accept a "repair" it's a no brainer, they broke it it's their responsibility to replace it at their expense.

No they won't.

They will put it through their Public Liability Insurers who will insist on a repair. From an inurance companies point of view, that is a 'No Brainer'.

mrschaucer

Phone your home insurance legal helpline for advice. (If you've got one.)

annimooboo

Thanks for all of your responses, some mixed views here!

My husband is at home with the chap who installed our boiler and he's advised that the cost of the repair is being deducted from his own pocket so is (obviously) insisting on a repair rather than a replacement.

It's frustrating as I feel "bullied" into agreeing to a repair rather than a replacement...particularly with the news that the installer is personally having to foot the bill but I don't think I can agree to it unless the bath repair firm can offer some form of guarantee so we don't end up stuck with something in 6 months time that becomes our problem.