Missing materials during building works

mavenmim

I've just posted a thread about some materials going missing during some building work here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6467972/missing-items-during-building-work/p1?new=1

As I said in that post, It feels like some horrible game of cluedo where we stand to lose £1000. So I'm trying to understand who might be liable, or whether any insurance is likely to cover the loss. 

It is hard to know whether the loss is down to theft, or misplacement, but it clearly isn't our fault and we obviously can't afford to pay again. I assumed our insurance would say that this was excluded from a normal household policy, so I asked Alex whether he thought the insurance he had taken out on the works would cover it (as we went through a checklist before starting the work that agreed insuring the site was his responsibility). However, he has taken offence and feels like I'm trying to blame him for the loss, and has refused to do any further work to finish the job or to communicate further. I have no idea what to do now, but it is making me feel very stressed and anxious - especially as we may now need to find a new builder to finish the work.

user1977

If a contractor wants their kit insured while it's on site, it's up to them to sort out. No, it isn't covered by your contents policy as the items aren't yours. I can't see how it's your liability unless you had actually stolen the stuff.

mavenmim

user1977 said:

If a contractor wants their kit insured while it's on site, it's up to them to sort out. No, it isn't covered by your contents policy as the items aren't yours. I can't see how it's your liability unless you had actually stolen the stuff.

That makes sense. So would this be down to the plumber whose kit has gone missing, or the main contractor who was doing the building work on site? I assume I'd first ask the plumber to check it wasn't misplaced, and then to claim it on his insurance? I feel like it can't really involve me (let alone expecting me to pay for new materials), as I have never laid eyes on the items he says are missing.

mavenmim

The plumber says that "Risk and title for the pool materials transferred to you when the payment was made for the pool [2 years ago] so I’m afraid our insurance won’t cover this". So maybe one to check with our home insurance after all?

user1977

Ah, by "his kit" in your other thread I didn't realise you meant components he was installing for you. So maybe it is really "your kit".

mavenmim

user1977 said:

Ah, by "his kit" in your other thread I didn't realise you meant components he was installing for you. So maybe it is really "your kit".

Sorry, my bad wording. It was the pool components, which came as a kit to assemble on site.