Damage by Sky installer

HaydenB

We had a Sky installer come to our house yesterday to repair/replace our decoder. Unfortunately he knocked off the unit a candle wax burner (not sure of its proper name) which burns the wax to release an aroma.

Accidents happen but the appliance smashed and wax went over a picture frame and all over the carpet. The picture frame is ruined and I very much doubt we will be able to sort the carpet.

Any advice? The engineer was going to report it to his manager but I doubt I will hear anything further.

boliston

Sounds like an accident waiting to happen - hot molten wax near electrical equipment being worked on.

Doozergirl

I wouldn't burn anything with workmen in the house with tools etc. Sounds completely avoidable

I'd get onto Old style Moneysaving and work out how to remove it - newspaper and the iron on the very, very lowest setting? Be careful if it's manmade.

Hot water would get it off a picture frame.

I always take a view on these things. Sometimes my cleaner breaks things but it happens.

Big_John_246

I would call Sky and log the incident A.S.A.P, the longer you leave it the more problems you will have, ask them what they are going to do about it, be polite and calm.

C_Mababejive

It really depends on an assessment of the cost of damage. If it is minor, then just write it off, if its a reasonable amoount, give it a few days then chase it up if nothing heard.

Accidents do happen in peoples homes. If they are well known companies there will be reporting procedures so hopefully the chap has engaged that procedure. Why would he not? These things happen.

It also works the other way eg person comes to your home, sustains injury due to ,for example, a loose cellar step,,visitor claims via your house insurance.

Doozergirl

C_Mababejive wrote: »

It also works the other way eg person comes to your home, sustains injury due to ,for example, a loose cellar step,,visitor claims via your house insurance.

For example, burns self on wax from a burner left on near the area he was working in...

SplanK

Whilst 'avoidable' comments may be true, it is up to the workman to 'risk asses' the work space prior to working. They should have identified that there was an item, regardless of object, potentially in the way and would be best to be moved, warn about a possible issue, or simple not completed the job due to the risk.


There is the flip side that anything that may not be obvious that could cause harm or damage to be reported to the workman (such as unsafe work areas, known asbestos....)

Whilst he may report it to the manager, it is always better to follow it up with a call to the customer services of the company who sent the contractor (in this case, Sky) to ensure that the complaint has been logged and that action can be taken.

Risteard

The OP is completely at fault for having that in the work area. Absolutely idiotic.

Shrimply

Risteard wrote: »

The OP is completely at fault for having that in the work area. Absolutely idiotic.

The OP was not the one doing work that required a clear work area.

Not saying they weren't a bit daft not to move it, but surely the engineer was then equally, if not more daft, to not check and clear the area before he started work.

Risteard

Shrimply wrote: »

but surely the engineer was then equally, if not more daft, to not check and clear the area before he started work.

I never suggested that the Sky installer (who absolutely is not an engineer) was blameless. But it's rich for someone who left it completely in the way to complain about it being damaged/causing damage. They left a potential danger in the vicinity of the work.

lstar337

SplanK wrote: »

Whilst 'avoidable' comments may be true, it is up to the workman to 'risk asses' the work space prior to working. They should have identified that there was an item, regardless of object, potentially in the way and would be best to be moved, warn about a possible issue, or simple not completed the job due to the risk.

Exactly. If I was doing the work I would have asked for it to be moved or if I could move it myself. Common sense!