Money Moral Dilemma: Should I pay to replace the sink I damaged?

Bonnypitlad

OK butterfingers! You were offering to help a friend and now you’re regretting it. Accidents happen, the best thing is to learn from it but don’t let this incident put you off DIY for yourself or friends.......and yes you should offer to pay for a replacement. I think claiming on any insurance is a non starter, most policies have an excess far greater than £70 ( as I found out to my cost recently when my freezer packed in)

sje_111

MSE_Kelvin said:

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

A friend was replacing their bathroom basin and, having recently done the same myself, I offered my (amateur) assistance. I successfully completed all the plumbing and so on, but when it came to fitting the basin, I dropped and chipped it. It'll cost £70 to replace, and while I'm sorry to have damaged it, I don't think it's right that I should be out of pocket for trying to help. Should I pay for it?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't always answer money moral dilemma questions as contributions are often emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value. 

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This is not a dilemma, "you break it, you bought it"
Think what you would want someone to do if the situation were reversed
Unless the friend was helping and was partly responsible then you should pay up

Mikeat60

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If all had gone well, as you were working for nothing your friend would have saved a large amount of money.  As he gains the benefit, he should take the risk..

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MoneySeeker1

I don't think your friend should be out of pocket because you were careless.

Put it this way - is it really worth losing a friendship for the sake of only £70?

Also - I don't agree with any attempt to make an insurance company pay it:
a. Agree that the excess thing would probably mean they wouldnt anyway
b. The rest of us would be paying if they did and/or your friend being charged extra on insurance later - because of something that isn't their fault.

Middlestitch

You were careless, you pay. The usual non-dilemma.

sharon1900

You don't mention the circumstances of the friend, presumably they were diy'ing to save money and may not be in a position to now replace the item that was perfect. Also perhaps they were capable of completing the task alone but your offer to help has now put them at a disadvantage. You should pay to return them to the position they were in prior to your "help" by replacing the item you admit liability for.

DSPonte

Their house contents policy may cover it, but beware if the excess. If I’d dropped it, I’d replace it.

bambibear

You should definately offer, I'm seriously clumsy so have much experience in this field. I would always offer if I caused someone to be out of pocket for something I did, most friends would offer to compromise on 50/50 but I would feel guilty knowing that I caused them to have to pay out for something. Accidents happen, but it was still down to you it was dropped.

Affy9

I agree you should replace. If you hadn’t helped you wouldn’t have damaged it. IMO, not worth the aggro over £70 especially. 

Not worth looking to the insurance. The excess will likely be higher and even if it isn’t, the increased premiums from claiming will be more costly in the long run. Insurance is designed to cover losses you can’t afford yourself. Yes, it likely has the ability to claim but that doesn’t mean you should. If your p,I bing had caused an escape of water then that should be claimed for as likely to be expensive. But not for a £70 basin. 

johnb225

It seems to me that real friends would both be saying "I'll pay", and you would end up not paying, but if your friend was very short of money, you would pay. You've been generous with your time. Real friends would find this easy enough to sort out by both being generous.