Damage from Window Cleaner - Options?

NannyPlum89

Hi all,

Our windows were cleaned for the 2nd time yesterday by a window cleaner using a Water Fed Pole system.

He'd just starred cleaning when my husband remembered that one of the bedroom windows was slightly open - he went in to close it, and the window cleaner had pushed it closed with the brush.

We went out for the day, returning late and this morning, when I've opened the blind, there's a massive vertical strip of scratches which we assume is from the pressure applied to close the window.

We've slid the window to check and they're definitely scratches. We've tried calling the window cleaner and there's no answer, we've also sent an email.  Can anyone advise where we stand legally please?

Aylesbury_Duck

Legally, the cleaner is liable for any damage caused by negligence.  Firstly, though, you need to get him back to look at it and see what he offers as a resolution.  In my experience, a replacement glazing unit can be supplied and fitted for less than £100, so an insurance claim (his or yours) would not be sensible.

Sandtree

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Legally, the cleaner is liable for any damage caused by negligence.  Firstly, though, you need to get him back to look at it and see what he offers as a resolution.  In my experience, a replacement glazing unit can be supplied and fitted for less than £100, so an insurance claim (his or yours) would not be sensible.

It would however be your duty to prove, on the balance of probability, that they have caused the damage. Clearly it would be helpful to see the head of the device and ensure that the scratches align to some form or ridge or nossel on it and ideally try and work out why the middle appear the deepest... depending on the way the window opens (pivoting from the top or side) you'd expect them either to be heavier at the bottom or equal.

Grumpy_chap

NannyPlum89 said:

Hi all,

Our windows were cleaned for the 2nd time yesterday by a window cleaner using a Water Fed Pole system.

He'd just starred cleaning when my husband remembered that one of the bedroom windows was slightly open - he went in to close it, and the window cleaner had pushed it closed with the brush.

We went out for the day, returning late and this morning, when I've opened the blind, there's a massive vertical strip of scratches which we assume is from the pressure applied to close the window.

We've slid the window to check and they're definitely scratches. We've tried calling the window cleaner and there's no answer, we've also sent an email.  Can anyone advise where we stand legally please?

Exactly this happened to us.

Legally, it is down to the window cleaner.
Practically, your window cleaner will likely simply shrug and say "well, I guess you won't want me back next month then".  That's what ours did.

You are then left to shrug and either live with it or replace the pane at your cost.  OR pursue a pointless small claims procedure against someone who likely has insufficient assets (especially if they trade as a company).

You might argue that window cleaners should carry insurance and all that jazz, but they just don't.  Sometimes, you just rolled the bad dice and have to move on or the bitterness will eat away at you from inside.

NannyPlum89

Thanks all. Eventually received an email from the window cleaner just outright denying responsibility, staring that it's 'impossible' to scratch windows with his WFP. He isn't even interested in coming out to look at the damage. Looks like we're going to have to put it down to bad luck. Needless to say, we won't be employing his services again.

user1977

Grumpy_chap said:

NannyPlum89 said:

Hi all,

Our windows were cleaned for the 2nd time yesterday by a window cleaner using a Water Fed Pole system.

He'd just starred cleaning when my husband remembered that one of the bedroom windows was slightly open - he went in to close it, and the window cleaner had pushed it closed with the brush.

We went out for the day, returning late and this morning, when I've opened the blind, there's a massive vertical strip of scratches which we assume is from the pressure applied to close the window.

We've slid the window to check and they're definitely scratches. We've tried calling the window cleaner and there's no answer, we've also sent an email.  Can anyone advise where we stand legally please?

You might argue that window cleaners should carry insurance and all that jazz, but they just don't.  Sometimes, you just rolled the bad dice and have to move on or the bitterness will eat away at you from inside.

Wouldn't make much difference if they had insurance, at this sort of level of claim. Just means you'd have their insurer fobbing you off instead.

greyteam1959

I would have thought it highly unlikely that a window cleaners pole brush would be made of anything that would scratch glass........