Faulty carpet? Fitted 18 months ago.

GDB2222

This carpet was fitted 18 months ago, and has faded very badly where exposed to light. Two of the photos are from a North facing window, which gets no direct sunlight. I am not sure that my photographic skills are up to much, as the carpet colour has changed from red to brown, and I don't think the photos really capture that well.

This was not a particularly cheap carpet - £18 psm including fitting, if I recall correctly. 

I think we will have to change the carpet. Can I reasonably expect the carpet shop to refund a large part of the original cost? This room does not get a lot of traffic, and the previous carpet lasted over 20 years in the same location. 

Aylesbury_Duck

Ask the carpet shop in the first instance.  They may ask you to prove it's faulty (they're entitled to do so).  Before paying someone to inspect it, go back and look at the original specifications for the carpet.  What do they say about UV resistance, if anything?

Was the old carpet a similarly dark colour?  In my experience, any furniture or furnishings (carpets, curtains and even paintwork) fade in light over time, and the effect is obviously more noticeable on dark colours.  That looks like an old, single-glazed window so presumably doesn't have any film or tint on it like you might specify with conservatory glazing, for example.

GDB2222

It is a single glazed window, but the carpet store came and saw the location when they measured up. They recommended the carpet, and they were happy to fit the colour without warning that it would fade quickly. Indeed, they said we could just choose any colour.

GDB2222

The carpet is Gala Berber, and it is rated as Heavy Domestic. The previous carpet was the same make, and it lasted 20 years +. 

I can't find a technical specification online, but in any case I relied on the assurance of the carpet shop that the carpet was suitable.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Best bet is to ask the shop and see what they say.

Does the carpet have a warranty? 

TELLIT01

The extent of the fading on a North facing aspect certainly looks extreme.  Had it been South facing I would have been less surprised.

born_again

Is it also a heavy use doorway?

GDB2222

born_again said:

Is it also a heavy use doorway?

No, there's very little traffic.

In case it's not obvious, the rectangular dark red patch is where the carpet was protected by the doormat. 

GDB2222

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Best bet is to ask the shop and see what they say.

Does the carpet have a warranty? 

I have asked the shop. They have reported it to the manufacturers, but they are not taking responsibility themselves, which I find disappointing. 

I'm not aware of a warranty.

Aylesbury_Duck

It's helpful that they visited, saw the setting and recommended the carpet, if you decide to take it further.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

GDB2222 said:

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Best bet is to ask the shop and see what they say.

Does the carpet have a warranty? 

I have asked the shop. They have reported it to the manufacturers, but they are not taking responsibility themselves, which I find disappointing. 

I'm not aware of a warranty.

Hopefully the manufacturer will do something, if not you'd be arguing the carpet isn't of satisfactory quality and be looking at them to replace, if they won't then it's the final right to reject which would be a refund minus 18 months use.

For refitting I think you could claim this as damages at the same ratio as the refund reduction but if you can persuade them to refund before having to go via small claims hopefully you could come to at least a 50/50 on refitting. 

Only issue is burden of proof which could depend on what the manufacturer says. Do you know who the manufacturer is and can you contact them directly if needed?