Workmen have damaged our worktop

mandyh11

Hi. Hope I have put this in the right place but wondered if I could ask for advice. We are getting our bathroom done and unfortunately we noticed that the workmen have scratched our kitchen worktop ( it is just over 1 year old) and there are also 2 cup ring marks on it - basically they have emptied their bucket down the sink rather than going outside in the cold and dragged it along the worktop.
We have mentioned it to them and they said they would discuss it - no more has been said. They are coming for the final time this week and I need to speak to them about it. Does anyone know what I am entitled to? Its really upsetting as it is a new worktop and is in a very obvious spot.
One of the men tried to say they hadn't done the ring marks - they weren't there before and we think some chemical they've used must have got on the bottom of the cups. Nevertheless there is still a bad scratch.
Any help much appreciated.

somethingcorporate

What is it made from?

If a wooden surface just wet cups leave noticeable rings on our wooden table and dresser.

I'd expect them to make good the damage they caused, if this means replacement of the worktop then that is what it should be.

Have you paid them yet?

If they are unwilling to be help I'd not pay until you find out how much it will cost to fix / replace the worktop and then not pay them this portion of what is owed, alternatively you could pay them and look to seek the amount through court but once they have the full amount they are going to be less likely to cooperate.

Good luck

Scampton

Being a tradesman myself and in regular contact with other tradesmen we regularly get blamed for damage that was not caused by us.
I'm not saying that this is the case with the OP but customers will often try to get stuff replaced at our expense.

mttylad

If that was the case then they are less likely to ask for advise on here - they would already know what they are going to be saying etc to try it on.

Mandy, get someone else around to quote on a repair or a replacement worktop including fitting.

If you have not paid these workmen yet then retain that amount from their payment until either they have made good their damage.

They have a duty of care when working on your property which includes not damaging it.What was in the bucket that went down the drain?

mandyh11

I am sure this does happen Scampton but I would never do this personally.
It was plaster in the bucket - when my husband came home from work there were dusty marks on the worktop where they had wiped it with a rag and bits of plaster in the sink.
We haven't paid them the full ammount so far . We have a good idea of replacement cost as it is only 1 year old.
Thank you for your replies I just wanted reassurance that I am not being unreasonable in wanting the worktop being replaced to the standard it was before the damage.

mttylad

IN that case I would be checking out all the plumbing under the sink as there may well be plaster residue in the trap and piping.

They should NOT be putting plaster waste water down your kitchen sink.

Put a bowl underneath the trap and remove it to check what it is like.

Do not pay them any more until they have resolved this.
(And using a pen to try and hide the marks is not a resolution)

gregg1

Scampton wrote: »

Being a tradesman myself and in regular contact with other tradesmen we regularly get blamed for damage that was not caused by us.
I'm not saying that this is the case with the OP but customers will often try to get stuff replaced at our expense.

Maybe, but from a customer point of view I too have had damage caused by workmen who claim they have not done it!

mandyh11

Just an update to say that I spoke to the builder yesterday and I mentioned the damage again. He has told us to order a new worktop and he will fit it and take the cost off what we still owe him. So hopefully all will work out well.
Thank you all for your help and remarks.

arcon5

Excellent result - clearly an honourable workman well worth recommending (assuming the bathroom doesn't now fall to pieces that is)

mandyh11

His work has been excellent, apart from the damage to the worktop so I will definitely recommend and use him again in the future. Thanks for your help