Help with damage to kitchen after dishwasher installed.

aimee1694

We recently had a dishwasher installed (paid for installation) and when installing they have scratched our flooring and put the screws too far through our kitchen cabinet door both sides. I also believe that the door hasn’t been fitted incorrectly as there’s quite a bit of water vapour collecting on the underside of our worktop. 

So I messaged the company the day of the installation and explained the issue. They have offered 10% refund from order (£590) which came to about £59. We paid about £100 for installation.  I’ve replied and stated that I don’t feel this would cover the cost to replace the kitchen door and flooring on top of labour and they’ve stated that’s all they’re allowed to do and if we want we cant take their insurance policy and go through litigation. 

 
Im obviously not expecting loads but thought that at least the installation would be refunded considering the shoddy job. I suppose my question is do you think it is worth taking further and if so what would be the best course of action. 

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Which company is this OP?

What kind of floor do you have, how old and how much is it scratched? 

aimee1694

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Which company is this OP?

What kind of floor do you have, how old and how much is it scratched? 

It was London appliances. 

The flooring is laminate and was installed about 2 years ago. It’s about 8/9 strips that have been scratched. The kitchen was in when we moved in 5 years ago. 

tacpot12

The damage can be repaired, but the repair will probably cost a couple of hundred pounds. I think I would push to get your installation charge refunded. There is nothing other than company policy that prevents them offering more than £59 in compensation, so ask to speak to someone who can agree a higher payment.

But, I'm not sure you should settle yet while the cause of the water vapour is unclear. I doubt it is down to have the decorative door panel has been fitted. It seems more likely that the main door of the appliance doesn't fit properly. I think I would research the make and model more to see if other customers have had similar experience. I think I would also try to call the manufacturer's technical suport and ask if the appliace could be damaged, based on the symptoms you are seeing.   

If you have home insurance, check to see if you have legal expenses cover. If you do, call the legal helpline provided by your insurer as they will be able to offer advice.

HillStreetBlues

They will be liable, but you will need to know the costs to put right.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

aimee1694 said:

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Which company is this OP?

What kind of floor do you have, how old and how much is it scratched? 

It was London appliances. 

The flooring is laminate and was installed about 2 years ago. It’s about 8/9 strips that have been scratched. The kitchen was in when we moved in 5 years ago. 

Thanks OP

I was hoping it would be Currys or such, I've not heard of this company. 

Generally speaking services must be carried out with due care and skill, where they are not you are entitled to a price reduction to reflect the level of service you received. Screwing through the front of the door is pretty poor IMO. 

In terms of the damage they should pay to fix this but generally you aren't entitled to betterment, i.e new for old. 

Laminate should last for a long time so perhaps asking for 80% of the cost to repair would be reasonable. If the laminate isn't glued down it would be a much easier fix depending upon how the flooring is covered at the edges of the room.

I'm assuming integrated appliance? If you purchased a new door for this then you'd be entitled to a new door, if it was an existing door it's a bit tricky really, if you can put a reasonable figure on it that would be, well, reasonable. 

It's best to contact them back with what you expect and see what they say, if you can't come to an agreement the general position is to send a letter before action (templates on Google or some firms will send one for a small fee, I've seen as little as £3.60, I wouldn't spend too much).

If this doesn't work you have to look at small claim and balance the headache of this vs the difference in cost vs their offer and decide what to do, not an ideal situation I know.

HillStreetBlues

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

aimee1694 said:

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Which company is this OP?

What kind of floor do you have, how old and how much is it scratched? 

It was London appliances. 

The flooring is laminate and was installed about 2 years ago. It’s about 8/9 strips that have been scratched. The kitchen was in when we moved in 5 years ago. 

Thanks OP

I was hoping it would be Currys or such, I've not heard of this company. 

Generally speaking services must be carried out with due care and skill, where they are not you are entitled to a price reduction to reflect the level of service you received. Screwing through the front door is pretty poor IMO. 

In terms of the damage they should pay to fix this but generally you aren't entitled to betterment, i.e new for old. 

Laminate should last for a long time so perhaps asking for 80% of the cost to repair would be reasonable. If the laminate isn't glued down it would be a much easier fix depending upon how the flooring is covered at the edges of the room.

I'm assuming integrated appliance? If you purchased a new door for this then you'd be entitled to a new door, if it was an existing door it's a bit tricky really, if you can put a reasonable figure on it that would be, well, reasonable. 

It's best to contact them back with what you expect and see what they say, if you can't come to an agreement the general position is to send a letter before action (templates on Google or some firms will send one for a small fee, I've seen as little as £3.60, I wouldn't spend too much).

If this doesn't work you have to look at small claim and balance the headache of this vs the difference in cost vs their offer and decide what to do, not an ideal situation I know.

Like you say it's what's reasonable.
If the OP contacted the unit maker and they still sold the doors, then it would be reasonable to buy the door and get it fitted even though it was a new door.
But if they don't sell the door then it would be  unreasonable to replace every door to match.

subjecttocontract

There are firms who will reproduce a kitchen door to match your existing door, we had a couple made for a kitchen.

DullGreyGuy

HillStreetBlues said:

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

aimee1694 said:

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Which company is this OP?

What kind of floor do you have, how old and how much is it scratched? 

It was London appliances. 

The flooring is laminate and was installed about 2 years ago. It’s about 8/9 strips that have been scratched. The kitchen was in when we moved in 5 years ago. 

Thanks OP

I was hoping it would be Currys or such, I've not heard of this company. 

Generally speaking services must be carried out with due care and skill, where they are not you are entitled to a price reduction to reflect the level of service you received. Screwing through the front door is pretty poor IMO. 

In terms of the damage they should pay to fix this but generally you aren't entitled to betterment, i.e new for old. 

Laminate should last for a long time so perhaps asking for 80% of the cost to repair would be reasonable. If the laminate isn't glued down it would be a much easier fix depending upon how the flooring is covered at the edges of the room.

I'm assuming integrated appliance? If you purchased a new door for this then you'd be entitled to a new door, if it was an existing door it's a bit tricky really, if you can put a reasonable figure on it that would be, well, reasonable. 

It's best to contact them back with what you expect and see what they say, if you can't come to an agreement the general position is to send a letter before action (templates on Google or some firms will send one for a small fee, I've seen as little as £3.60, I wouldn't spend too much).

If this doesn't work you have to look at small claim and balance the headache of this vs the difference in cost vs their offer and decide what to do, not an ideal situation I know.

Like you say it's what's reasonable.
If the OP contacted the unit maker and they still sold the doors, then it would be reasonable to buy the door and get it fitted even though it was a new door.
But if they don't sell the door then it would be  unreasonable to replace every door to match.

The OP says the kitchen came with the house so it will also depend on how old the kitchen is. We equally have a kitchen that came with the home and whilst it looks in ok condition having tried to buy a replacement door (they still make the model) it has clearly discoloured over time so the door looked like a sore thumb