Property damaged by Open Reach engineer

PawelK

Hi.

I am hoping for some replies today from kind people as the matter is rather urgent and I haven't been in this type of situation before.

Last week engineers from OR came over to replace a cooper cable leading to my flat (1st floor in three storeys). Long story short, they badly damaged a PVC panel frame of the window, which broke and fell on the outside, exposing insulation foam inside the frame.

The engineer reported this back to the office but I haven't heard from OR since it happened on Wednesday and my attempts to contact them were unsuccessful.

Weekend away and when got back there was a letter from their lawyers telling me they're offering £100 settlement of my claim or if I want, to find a professional, obtain a quote and send to them. They did state it was a minor damage which made me angry as to me it's serious and requiring immediate repair.

I replied that I am not happy about this process as I don't know any professional and doing all the research, quotes etc. will further delay the process of fixing the damage.

They just replied saying they an organise someone and send over to fix it and will provide 2urs guarantee but if I accept that option I'll obviously waive any further claims I have.

On one hand, I really can't be bothered with doing it myself and still think OR should initially act quicker, contact me and send someone to fix it within 24-48hrs of the incident. Do, right now, I am happy to accept their lawyer's latest offer.

On another hand, I worry that the contractors may not be completely independent in assessing the damage and chose the cheapest option to fix it rather than do the best for the window, even of it means replacing the whole frame (if that's even possible).

Worth mentioning, my flat is leasehold and is managed by a useless management company that never replies to any of my messages or keeps to their promises but they do provide building insurance which I may be able to use.

I also worry, as I may be in a situation of letting or even selling my flat in the next few years and this damage may have an impact on the future proce i can receive if the flat was to get a good survey.

Any help on deciding next step much appreciated.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

any chance of a photie?

[Deleted User]

A repaired window will have no impact on your selling the property, whether the survey is good or bad.

If you don't want to find your own contractor, take them up on their offer to get it fixed for you. It seems the best solution for your circumstances.

rob7475

A picture of the damage would be helpful here. From what you are describing, it sounds like they have pulled off a length of flat trim exposing the expanding form that's been sprayed between the frame and the wall?

If so, I'd take the £100 and silicone on a new bit of trim that'll cost you less than £10.

If you don't want to do it yourself, take up their offer to repair it for you.

I'm not sure how you can be disappointed with the offer. It happened last week and you've already had an offer to remedy it - that's pretty good going really.

PawelK

Attached photo.

PawelK

rob7475 said:

A picture of the damage would be helpful here. From what you are describing, it sounds like they have pulled off a length of flat trim exposing the expanding form that's been sprayed between the frame and the wall?

If so, I'd take the £100 and silicone on a new bit of trim that'll cost you less than £10.

If you don't want to do it yourself, take up their offer to repair it for you.

I'm not sure how you can be disappointed with the offer. It happened last week and you've already had an offer to remedy it - that's pretty good going really.

Thanks. The problem is that it's on the 1st floor and I don't even have a ladder to get there. As you can see on the photo, it is a quite tricky place to reach and I have no idea of just gluing the piece is enough or of it will fall off after some time or because of some strong winds or heavy rains? Also, not sure of the whole frame or window should be replaced.

Keep_pedalling

PawelK said:

rob7475 said:

A picture of the damage would be helpful here. From what you are describing, it sounds like they have pulled off a length of flat trim exposing the expanding form that's been sprayed between the frame and the wall?

If so, I'd take the £100 and silicone on a new bit of trim that'll cost you less than £10.

If you don't want to do it yourself, take up their offer to repair it for you.

I'm not sure how you can be disappointed with the offer. It happened last week and you've already had an offer to remedy it - that's pretty good going really.

Thanks. The problem is that it's on the 1st floor and I don't even have a ladder to get there. As you can see on the photo, it is a quite tricky place to reach and I have no idea of just gluing the piece is enough or of it will fall off after some time or because of some strong winds or heavy rains? Also, not sure of the whole frame or window should be replaced.

It is just a piece of capping to hide that horrible foam filler, you definitely do not need the frame or window replaced.

Eldi_Dos

I think the way to go is to get professional window fitter or window doctor in to fix that, OR must have just offered you a standard figure that they send out.
Were the engineers recovering cable or installing new cable when damage occurred?
Looks to me as if it is still there, if so I would ask if they are going to remove before you get repair done.

PawelK

Eldi_Dos said:

I think the way to go is to get professional window fitter or window doctor in to fix that, OR must have just offered you a standard figure that they send out.
Were the engineers recovering cable or installing new cable when damage occurred?
Looks to me as if it is still there, if so I would ask if they are going to remove before you get repair done.

No, the job is complete. They started drilling on the inside to get the old cable out of the tunnel and replaced with the new one (which annoyingly turned out later not to be the reason for my poor broadband). 

Eldi_Dos

PawelK said:

Eldi_Dos said:

I think the way to go is to get professional window fitter or window doctor in to fix that, OR must have just offered you a standard figure that they send out.
Were the engineers recovering cable or installing new cable when damage occurred?
Looks to me as if it is still there, if so I would ask if they are going to remove before you get repair done.

No, the job is complete. They started drilling on the inside to get the old cable out of the tunnel and replaced with the new one (which annoyingly turned out later not to be the reason for my poor broadband). 

In that case just get a window fitter or window doctor to replace the broken piece and OR will foot the bill, glad your broadband is ok now.

greenface2

£80 / £100 job for any window fitter passing . It doesn't require new frames . Just reclad it on .