Can I insist on compensation instead of repair for damage?

MylesT

A company delivered some new bedroom furniture and in doing so damaged our wood floor and left a mess after unpacking (which we paid extra for). They have agreed to cover the cost of the repair, but I am concerned that the work would never be like the original and not match an adjacent floor. I'm also annoyed that no compensation has been offered for all the hassle it has been obtaining quotes, etc. I am prepared to live with the damage but would want compensation (perhaps 1/4 of the cost of the repair). Do I have the right to insist on the compensation instead of the repair?

Aylesbury_Duck

You have a right to be put back in the situation you were in, i.e. a repaired floor or the cost to cover that repair. You don't have a right for unquantifiable losses such as "hassle" but there's no harm in asking for a goodwill payment to cover those. Neither do you have a right to betterment, e.g. you couldn't insist they replace the whole floor at their cost.

If you have quotes that suggest a reasonable sum for the repair, they should cover that. Whether you choose to exercise that repair is up to you. Personally, I'd get three quotes, claim the lowest from them and ask for a little extra for the inconvenience.