Making a claim against Wessex Water? Everything I can claim for?

Brand_X

About 2 or 3 years ago Wessex Water installed a new water meter in my dad's house but the ham-fisted plumber who installed it forced the connector, shredding the rubber washer - I was there when he installed it and I remember the sound of crrrreaaakkk! "that''ll do it.. just give it one more turn 'ere" creeeaakk! At the time I didn't know any better and I thought "well I guess he knows what he's doing, he's the expert".

It had probably been leaking for a long time but some time before Xmas it finally let go and soaked through the floorboards in the toilet, hallway and under the stairs.

The carpet and flooring all need to be replaced but more than that the floorboards will also have to be replaced and the wooden joists treated to prevent rot from setting in - it hasn't already. When I first saw the damage it didn't look all that bad but my dad was right, the chipboard floorboards are softened and there is smelly mould growing in the corners.

Wessex Water were informed in Mid December and they finally replaced the water meter last week but we are still waiting for them to contact us a month later. Their "automated system" for dealing with claims is obviously BS but they've been told that a quote will be sent to them for the repair bill. They have accepted that they are liable so now it's a case of figuring out exactly what my dad is entitled to.

We're not after a windfall but I think my dad is quite right to push for the maximum amount he can get, the service so far has been very bad and I think a more timid customer would have been given the runaround or even ignored. Not good.

What he is claiming for (inc labour costs):

New carpets.
New floorboards.
Any necessary repairs.

He also wants to charge them by-the-day for the inconvenience but he doesn't know what a reasonable amount to demand is. Any advice on this, and is there anything else he should be demanding?

Also of note is that the water bill this year has jumped 25% on last year's despite the fact that no more water is being used as far as we know. The water leak was before the meter so it shouldn't have registered as water usage but it does make me wonder.

Thankyou. :beer:

samsmoot

I would ask for a lump sum for the stress and inconvenience @ around £50 per week. I would also require reimbursing for my out-of-pocket expenses involved in chasing it up: phone calls, letters etc.

Brand_X

Thanks Sam.

WessexWater_representative

Hello Brand_X

I am sorry to hear about the problems your father has had with his water meter.

So we can resolve this for you, please can you email your father's address and a contact telephone number to [EMAIL="operational.enquiries@wessexwater.co.uk"]operational.enquiries@wessexwater.co.uk[/EMAIL]

Kind regards

Wessex Water Customer Service