Who should pay

zoemk12

Hi
were having some work done and the builder went through a gas pipe located behind a skirting board in the kitchen. We didnt know it was there but he’s saying it’s shouldn’t be there! It’s a very old house. 

We’ve had someone come and cap it off, he’s paying for this but when the work is finish it will need to be rerouted as plumber can’t get to the damaged bit to repair. The builder is saying we have to pay for this? I don’t want to be unreasonable but we wouldn’t be rerouting this pipe otherwise and also the damage is in an area where they misread the drawings so again is that our fault. 

I feel like they’re trying to make us feel bad for expecting them to pay but maybe we should? 

dj1471

The builder's liability insurance should cover it. If your home insurance includes legal cover give them a call.

photome

i would think the plumber is responsible for repair but you are responsible if you want it rerouted. I know you say there is no access, so that may mean rerouting is cheaper than repair.

mikb

zoemk12 said:

 gas pipe located behind a skirting board in the kitchen. We didnt know it was there but he’s saying it’s shouldn’t be there!

Of course, the builders should have checked for hidden services (e.g. gas pipes, electricity, water pipes) before "going through it".

Maybe it is an unconventional place to put a gas pipe, but that's the point of checking BEFORE you drill.

It's all very well saying "Well, that shouldn't be there!" but it doesn't excuse their error. They are supposed to be professionals, they know to expected the unexpected when working on a house they've never seen before.

Who knows what ad-hoc things have been done by the home owner(s), or previous "professionals" that could bite you?

pinkshoes

It's a basic check on an old house - odd locations of pipes and wires! You check for pipes before drilling!!

The builder needs to put it right. I assuming capping it off was an emergency procedure so that the gas could be turned back on? Unless you WANT it re-routing, it is up to the builder to put it back to how it was. If that means it cannot be put back and now has to be re-routed, then he will have to pay. (But if YOU want it rerouting rather than put back as it was, then you have to pay).

zoemk12

Thanks for the replies. No we absolutely do not want it rerouted. It was capped off so we could have hot water but our hob is out of action. The reroute is the only option because it would be a bigger job to repair the pipe because of the location. 

The main guy is coming shortly so we will see what he has to say! 

pinkshoes

zoemk12 said:

Thanks for the replies. No we absolutely do not want it rerouted. It was capped off so we could have hot water but our hob is out of action. The reroute is the only option because it would be a bigger job to repair the pipe because of the location. 

The main guy is coming shortly so we will see what he has to say! 

Then absolutely the builder has to correct his mistake and put it right. If the re-route is the only option then this is what he will have to do. He cannot leave your gas hob without a gas supply.

It is 100% his responsibility to pay the full cost of rectifying the mistake.