Kitchen units fell off wall!

HB58

We moved into a new (to us, it is actually 10 years old) flat 1 month ago. There was little storage so we had some more kitchen units and work surface fitted last week (Monday 22nd May).

We went with a company, 'B', that was recommended by a friend. Someone came out to measure up and discuss what we wanted. He contacted fitter and arranged a date. The first time we had any contact with the fitter, 'S', was when he turned up along with the guy from B on Monday morning. We paid S direct.

Today I heard an almighty crash and my husband swear and found all the new units had fallen off the wall :eek:

We are incredibly lucky that neither of us were hurt. Also that there is little damage other than to the units and work surface.#

Having looked at B's website today, they state that they only supply and 'recommend' a fitter. I would argue that they do rather more than 'recommend' as the first contact we had with S was on the morning of installation.

Of course, we cannot do anything until Tuesday. I suspect that B and S are going to try and pass the blame between them.

In your view, who does carry responsibility for this? The company B, or the fitter S?

Doozergirl

You paid S. Your contract is therefore with S.

Owain_Moneysaver

Not a legal answer to your problem, but kitchen unit hanging rail solves a lot of problems with inadequate wall fixings. (Especially as someone now has to put the units back up and the existing holes probably can't be reused.)

casper_g

The choice of and installation of wall fixings has nothing much to do with the manufacturer of the units. You paid the fitter, and your contractual relationship for the fitting of the units is with him.

HB58

TBH, I don't care who sorts this - as long as someone does!

I_have_spoken

As you paid 'S' directly, it's the fitter you have the contract with.

moneyistooshorttomention

The firm and fitter both should have insurance cover against any problems he creates for customers. That is a "should" (rather than "will") - because there are some that will skimp and avoid having this cover - even though it's very cheap (think it's only around £60 per annum?).

If he has it - then the insurance company is likely to have an excess (probably £250) that he has to pay himself and they will cover the rest of the cost of putting this right.

Moss5

http://www.screwfix.com/p/hylec-35-x-7-5mm-din-rail-1m/6461G?kpid=6461G&gclid=CjwKEAjwja_JBRD8idHpxaz0t3wSJAB4rXW5EGJPLXY7yJ61qmnq_uaKRZ6z2mfP5NLkwfFewWYOTxoCRwvw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CM_zz6iQldQCFcSHUQodbeoPBg
A cheaper alternative fixing rail.

tacpot12

I definitely wouldn't use DIN rail for hanging kitchen cabinets. It's nearly half the thickness of the cabinet rail and will likely result in your cabinets falling off the wall again.

macman

You didn't say what type of wall it is? Partition or solid?

MisterP123

If you bought a cabinet from B&Q, then put it on the wall yourself, with fittings you decided were correct for the application and it fell off said wall. Would you expect to complain to B&Q?