Decorator Damage

allie007

I've just had some decorating done in my house. Just before the decorator left and I was cleaning up I noticed a scratch on my tv screen and a small dent which when I switched the tv on was permanently white. I pointed this out to him and he was apologetic but I told him I'd be contacting my insurance company. After he'd gone I noticed a scratch and dent in my fridge door....noticeable because my fridge is black and the scratch is white. When he arrived at my house to do the work i did point out to him that my fridge was new (ive had it 2 weeks). Ive messaged him and told him about the scratch. He did offer to give me some money back and I said I'd get back to him tomorrow.  Its only small damage but it is noticeable. At the moment I don't know if the picture on my tv will get worse and the damage to my fridge is cosmetic but to replace both would cost about £1100. Would be grateful for some advice on where I stand.

allie007

Not sure if i explained that properly sorry, where the tv screen is dented it is white when switched on, not the whole screen.

Ergates

If you can prove - or the decorator accepts - that the decorator caused the damage then they should claim for the cost of repairs from their liability insurance.

allie007

Thank you. Would the text offering me some money back show that? 

pramsay13

How has the decorator caused the damage?
I don't think I've ever had anything damaged by a painter and decorator in 25 years of owning my own home. 
Was there any conversation about covering furniture and fittings? 
If he has damaged the tv and fridge it would be up to him to sort them, although you won't get 2 new items, as that is betterment. 
How much was the whole job and how much money has he offered back?
He possibly is feeling guilty as he's done something wrong so is offering money back, or maybe he thinks it will just be easier in the long run and can't be bothered arguing. 

allie007

First time for me aswell in 30 years. He did cover things in plastic sheeting, my sofas some furniture and the floors. He didnt ask me to move anything but the day before he started i moved things out of the rooms that I could on my own, dining chairs, ornaments, basically anything that was on show. Ive no idea how hes done the damage. It cost £500.  I didn't ask him for anything back and to be fair to him he offered straight away. I said I would contact him tomorrow. 

PHK

Just have a conversation with him. You may be worrying unnecessarily. 

See what he has to say and if you are not happy then either post again or speak to Citizen’s advice. 

allie007

Ive seen more damage on the side of my fridge, a dent. Ive informed him and told him my insurance have advised me to go through his, which they have. Hes told me he hasn't got any.

Aylesbury_Duck

allie007 said:

Ive seen more damage on the side of my fridge, a dent. Ive informed him and told him my insurance have advised me to go through his, which they have. Hes told me he hasn't got any.

Doesn't that mean that you'll have to make a claim on your own insurance, then?  

You're going to have to decide whether a couple of dents and scratches are worth pursuing fully, or whether to accept the partial refund he's offered.  You're clearly not entitled to new replacements of the TV and fridge, and getting them repaired is likely to be uneconomical.  A partial refund gives you some cash in your pocket to put towards replacements of both or either when you want to do so.