Damage Caused by Workmen - Advice?

greyhoundbooger

Yesterday I had a new front door fitted. 

Everything is OK with the door and the installation so no issues that end however 10 minutes after they left I then realised that they’ve damaged my sheet vinyl flooring. 

There’s a large drag mark in the centre of the room and the floor is now rippled. This was not there beforehand. 

I think it’s either been caused by something heavy being dragged over it (the door), or a large tool being left in that spot. I have heavy furniture and they haven’t left indents like this so was something very heavy or sharp.

I have contacted the company directly and provided photos, but my initial response to this is that they believe “minor damage” is covered in their terms and conditions.

I have disputed this by saying that I don’t expect flooring in the middle of the room to be damaged. I can understand wall damage and the need to replaster, but not to have to relay a floor. I am waiting to hear back.

Can anyone advise on my rights here, if I have any? The floor is relatively new and wasn’t cheap .

Aylesbury_Duck

You'll need reasonable evidence that they caused the damage first.  Are you sure it isn't something to do with the flooring being relatively new, and the timing is a coincidence?  

greyhoundbooger

No, timing definitely isn’t a coincidence. The flooring isn’t brand new, but approx. 12 months old.. might not be new to some people but to me it is lol.

It’s clearly a very large drag mark. I went to obtain a quote today to replace the flooring from the same company, and they reviewed the photos and were also of the opinion something very large and heavy would have to be dragged along to cause it. 

Aylesbury_Duck

In which case, send a letter to the door company with that second opinion and quote, and ask what they propose to do about it. You might ask for their insurance details. If you have legal cover on your insurance, you could engage their help.

You may not be entitled to a whole new floor, or the cost of it. It's already a year old, so any settlement would reasonably include a deduction. Fitting a brand new floor would be betterment.

greyhoundbooger

Thank you for your advice. I have gone back to the company with the quote and opinion and have suggested a solution which is a portion of the cost for replacement.

I’m also now awaiting a call back from my home insurance legal advisors so hopefully they can advise me what, if anything, I can do.

My concerns are though with them denying the damage, and also the “minor damage” they’ve mentioned as part of their terms and conditions although I am disputing this…

DullGreyGuy

What do the T&Cs say?

Faithx

Greyhoundbooger, I truly feel your pain and having something expensive damaged that is only a year old is heartbreaking. I also agree with you that your flooring is still new so do not apologise for feeling that it is new, because I agree with you that it is.

I feel your pain because I have never been able to enjoy anything new done to my home without workmen damaging something else in my home…every single time! At the moment I am in dispute with Magnet Kitchens as they measured my kitchen wrongly and the joiner they recommended to me gave the job to his friend and on day of kitchen fitting, a complete stranger turned up at my door! What do you do when you’ve got a kitchen, along with all new appliances, sitting in your back garden? That joiner worked hard, but, workmanship, OMG! Magnet blame joiner and joiner blaming Magnet…and I, the customer who has done nothing wrong, left with all the heartache and fighting two battles.

I stay in Scotland and I found Consumer Advice Scotland to be extremely helpful. There will be some equivalent organisation if you stay in England; just Google it. You will have all the work to do but never give up as companies will do anything rather than admit their mistake and pay compensation. It is heartbreaking but never, ever give up.

Sorry that I don’t have more help to give you but when you Google Consumer Advice other agencies will be listed that may be able to help you. Resolver is also worth a try. Good luck, it will take time and a lot of your energydon’t give up, ever, and let us know how you get on

greyhoundbooger

I can’t actually find anything in their T&Cs currently about damage, other than damage to the actual doors they supply and fit. 

I can’t see anything in regards to this minor damage at the moment, but I will ask them for this once I get a response. 

Surely though minor damage would cover damage due to the installation, such as needing to replaster, paint etc.? Could understand damage to the flooring where the door lines up but this is in the middle of the room .

DullGreyGuy

greyhoundbooger said:

Surely though minor damage would cover damage due to the installation, such as needing to replaster, paint etc.? Could understand damage to the flooring where the door lines up but this is in the middle of the room .

They can say it covers whatever they like but the time to negotiate it to be limited to directly related to installation would be before entering into the contract with them. 

Some flooring is exceptionally prone to damage whereas others are more robust, they may have trolleys to move heavy things around with but not all properties have appropriate access for trolleys hence companies will try to limit their liability to include moving things around

greyhoundbooger

Thanks everyone for your advice so far.

Faithx I’m sorry to hear about the troubles you’ve been having. I really hope this gets sorted for you. 

I have checked T&Cs again and can only see reference to them not covering redecoration or repainting due to altered plaster. 

I agree some flooring is especially prone to damage but I paid a bit extra for this one as is quite durable and held up exceptionally well until now.

I have obtained some advice from my insurance, which has been helpful so I’ll continue with their advice and see what response I get from the door company.