Faulty blocks from builders merchants

harry_f99

I built an extension on my home but the external render started popping and falling off the block work just months after it was completed. Through several communications I found out the batch of blocks I brought was faulty. I contacted the builders merchants and they said it’s nothing to do with them - so I contacted the block manufacturer directly. They have accepted the blocks are faulty due to foreign material in the blocks that wasn’t picked up by their  quality control system. They also agreed this is what is causing some of the render to delaminate.

I am confused as who do I hold accountable? Builders merchants or block manufacturer...

I would really appreciate your advice.

452

Was it a self build?

If you used a builder who bought the blocks?

davidmcn

Assuming you bought them yourself, as a consumer, then the retailer is responsible. The manufacturer only comes into it if they offered you some sort of guarantee. 

harry_f99

452 said:

Was it a self build?

If you used a builder who bought the blocks?

Yes it was - I’m a builder by trade 

harry_f99

davidmcn said:

Assuming you bought them yourself, as a consumer, then the retailer is responsible. The manufacturer only comes into it if they offered you some sort of guarantee. 

Yes I bought them myself. I have sent letters to both the retailer and manufacturer. The retailer is very reluctant to get involved and keeps passing me on to the manufacturer. The manufacturer is currently looking to settle the matter with me. I just wanted to know wether I was going about it the right way?

452

harry_f99 said:

davidmcn said:

Assuming you bought them yourself, as a consumer, then the retailer is responsible. The manufacturer only comes into it if they offered you some sort of guarantee. 

Yes I bought them myself. I have sent letters to both the retailer and manufacturer. The retailer is very reluctant to get involved and keeps passing me on to the manufacturer. The manufacturer is currently looking to settle the matter with me. I just wanted to know wether I was going about it the right way?

If the manufacturer is looking to settle then what's the problem?

davidmcn

harry_f99 said:

452 said:

Was it a self build?

If you used a builder who bought the blocks?

Yes it was - I’m a builder by trade 

Hold on - did the builders merchants know that on the day you bought these blocks, you were wearing your "consumer" hat rather than your "trade" hat? Although in theory consumer rights might apply, I suspect you'll have an uphill struggle to prove that you have any more rights than whatever the merchants' trade terms and conditions provide you with.

harry_f99

452 said:

harry_f99 said:

davidmcn said:

Assuming you bought them yourself, as a consumer, then the retailer is responsible. The manufacturer only comes into it if they offered you some sort of guarantee. 

Yes I bought them myself. I have sent letters to both the retailer and manufacturer. The retailer is very reluctant to get involved and keeps passing me on to the manufacturer. The manufacturer is currently looking to settle the matter with me. I just wanted to know wether I was going about it the right way?

If the manufacturer is looking to settle then what's the problem?

There is no problem - I wanted to make sure I was holding the right person accountable. They have no made no effort to settle with me so are they playing a game...

harry_f99

davidmcn said:

harry_f99 said:

452 said:

Was it a self build?

If you used a builder who bought the blocks?

Yes it was - I’m a builder by trade 

Hold on - did the builders merchants know that on the day you bought these blocks, you were wearing your "consumer" hat rather than your "trade" hat? Although in theory consumer rights might apply, I suspect you'll have an uphill struggle to prove that you have any more rights than whatever the merchants' trade terms and conditions provide you with.

I bought them under my trade account. But I will look into the trade terms and conditions. 

JJ_Egan

Business to business then not  consumer .

harry_f99

JJ_Egan said:

Business to business then not  consumer .

The business was the consumer of the product