How long are builders liable?

wealdroam

Mrs_Wilson wrote: »

To cover the costs of putting in a lintel and a new window, if necessary (should the existing one been damaged beyond repair, due to the weight of the bricks above). In an ideal world, I would like him to come back and offer to do the work free of charge but he wont do that if he feels going through the courts will be more of a favourable option for him financially. Don't see why I should be made to pay for the work twice?:(

Your last sentence seems to be telling us that you have already paid once for a lintel to be installed. Is that so? Do you have an itemised bill detailing the work you have paid for?

If you have the documentation, then you are right... you should not have to pay twice.

Mrs_Wilson

wealdroam wrote: »

Your last sentence seems to be telling us that you have already paid once for a lintel to be installed. Is that so? Do you have an itemised bill detailing the work you have paid for?

If you have the documentation, then you are right... you should not have to pay twice.

Sorry, my mistake. What I meant, I paid for the work in good faith, to be carried out properly in the first place. The builder certainly gave me the impression he would do a thorough job. Hence, I don't see why I should have to pay more, as it is not my fault I don't have lintel.

wealdroam

Let me ask again:

Do you have an itemised bill detailing the work you have paid for?

Mrs_Wilson

wealdroam wrote: »

Let me ask again:

Do you have an itemised bill detailing the work you have paid for?

Unfortunately I don't.

lovinituk

Mrs_Wilson wrote: »

Unfortunately I don't.

Do you have any proof that it was that builder who fitted the window?

Mrs_Wilson

lovinituk wrote: »

Do you have any proof that it was that builder who fitted the window?

Yes, I have his original quotation for the window and he's signed it paid in full with the date. I paid by cheque too.

wealdroam

Do you have any receipt? Or anything to show who did the work?

What I am now getting at is... is it at all possible that this builder could even deny doing any work for you? After all fourteen years have passed.

Is the builder still trading as the same entity?
I.e. maybe he was a Limited company that no longer exists, therefore no-one to chase.

nomoneytoday

Does the receipt say, "fit window" or does it say, "fit window and lintel" ?

bris

None of this makes the builder liable, he was asked to replace a window which was done, he's not a structural engineer.
One out one in, you need to prove negligence. I very much doubt you can, as its been 14 years and you have had no problems.

neilmcl

To be fair you have a reasonable expectation for the builder to be aprofessional and perform due diligence, eg, if the upvc window wasn't suitable due to there being no lintel then he shouldn't have proceeded. Simply arguing that he wasn't asked to install a lintel isn't good enough.