Builder damaged personal items

Bowes100

I'm after a little advise please.

We recently moved into a brand new house, we paid to have the washer/dryer from them too. To cut a long story short, the workmen didn't fit the waste correctly and it ended up flooding our garage.

As we had just returned from holiday we had all our gear in the garage, obviously putting up furniture etc in empty rooms, so the flooding damaged our tv and a brand new camera that was weeks old, as well as some personal paper items and a few expensive dresses.

we currently appear to be having a battle with the builder as they have offered us £180 to replace the two electrical items we claimed for. The camera was 3 weeks old and cost £100 so they offered us £80 for the camera and £100 for the tv as it was approx 8 years old.

We couldnt replace the TV with the money offered, so we have complained and they have offered us another £70, which still wouldnt fincially put us back to where we were in the first place and they are refusing to up the offer in the slightest now.

Both items were in full working order and we have just purchasesd a 200k home from them. I dont think we are being greedy expecting to be able to buy the items again or is it just me? Legally where do we stand?

Thanks

smifffy1989

I would have thought this should be notified to their insurers as it is defective workmanship that has led to a loss on your behalf.

I would quantify the damage ie the cost to replace /repair the damaged goods and send them a letter asking it to be presented to their liability insurers as you wish to pursue a claim.

Be prepared to be offered less than the replacement cost as some of this stuff is old, its called wear and tear deduction.

smifffy1989

It may be that you have to go through your own insurance and they will pursue the builder to recoup the costs.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/insurance/2848189/Take-cover-before-the-builders-come.html

Furts

Insurance is not my specialism but have you considered claiming on your home or contents policy, which may be new for old cover? You have to consider if there is an excess and any no claims discount. But the advantage of doing this is your insurance company should then fight it out with the builders insurers so that they do not suffer a loss. You could probably get your no claims back if the builders pay out in full.

zoob

Was the tv and camera sitting on the floor of the garage?
Also I would assume that there offering the £100 so you could replace the tv for another tv of a similer age.

TiddlyPom

I had a new build house where they flooded the garage which broke the freezer and we had to dispose on the contents. This was some 15 years ago, but iirc, we went through our own insurance.

TheCyclingProgrammer

Perhaps a compromise would be to claim on your insurance and ask the builders to cover the cost of your excess plus perhaps a small amount of additional compensation to cover any increase in premiums that result?

I'd ask your insurer in the first instance.