Buildings Insurer says we aren't covered

Cathygh

Hi
Apologies if this is not relevant. Our concrete kitchen floor is sinking. The surveyor says it is not subsidence, but when the house was built c 1980 the hardcore was not compacted correctly and recommended the floor and hardcore are removed and then new hardcore laid and the floor replaced to modern standards. The surveyor has been twice and has noticed there has been more movement between visits. Now we are totally shocked as our insurer says we are not covered for bad workmanship!
I just don't where to turn or what to do. Any advice guys?
Thanks
Cathy

dunstonh

Now we are totally shocked as our insurer says we are not covered for bad workmanship!

The builder you used would have been the one to refer this to. Otherwise this is just ongoing maintenance requirements.

Blibble

Usually any sort of manufacturing or installation defect is not covered as there are so many things this could be - it's too big a risk for the insurer to take on. Most policies will have a similar clause.

The company who have originally performed the work would be liable if an independent surveyor has put it down to their fault, whether they pay up directly or through any form of public liability insurance.

rs65

Cathygh wrote: »

The surveyor says it is not subsidence, but when the house was built c 1980 the hardcore was not compacted correctly and recommended the floor and hardcore are removed and then new hardcore laid and the floor replaced to modern standards. The surveyor has been twice and has noticed there has been more movement between visits.

I would be asking him why he thinks a workmanship/design issue has taken over 30 years to manifest itself.

rs65

Blibble wrote: »

The company who have originally performed the work would be liable if an independent surveyor has put it down to their fault, whether they pay up directly or through any form of public liability insurance.

I doubt they would be liable for anything after 30 odd years. It wouldn't be public liability anyway.

huckster

Perhaps there ia another problem which needs looking into. If you have a drain or other water pipe that is leaking, it could be causing this to happen.

Have you asked the surveyors about this. Perhaps there needs to be an inspection of drains etc, to find out whether this is a factor.

dacouch

rs65 wrote: »

I would be asking him why he thinks a workmanship/design issue has taken over 30 years to manifest itself.

There's an estate near me that was built 40 years ago where the builders back filled under the slabs with organic matter then laidthe slabs on top. It took 30 years for the organic matter to decompose and then shrink resulting in claims from most houses on the estate.

Cathygh

Hi Guys
Thanks for the help. We have had drains inspected - all clear. Also there is no cracking on the walls anywhere - all checked by the surveyor. The insurance co have now put us in touch with another company to "help us" . I think what we need now is some drilling maybe to find out what is going on underneath?
Cheers
Cathy