Car damaged by house builders earthworks

genericusername1

Hi all,

Looking for some advice. We moved into our home a few years ago, which sat across from an empty field. In the last year a house builder has undertook a major earthworks exercise on the site, creating what could be described as dust storms that have covered our cars on a daily basis.
I noticed when washing the car that there are now lots of micro scratches and light marks, along with numerous stone chips along the drivers door (I suspect these have come from the road sweeper they have sent down the road to displace the mess).

While I have recordings of the street sweeper going past and have previously voiced concerns with the builder, do I have any recourse here to try and get my paintwork corrected at their expense?

paul_c123

Its not the dust landing on the car that's damaged it, but the incorrect washing technique. Who washed it, you could claim off them?

Emmia

paul_c123 said:

Its not the dust landing on the car that's damaged it, but the incorrect washing technique. Who washed it, you could claim off them?

I suspect the OP washed their car...

Mildly_Miffed

Emmia said:

paul_c123 said:

Its not the dust landing on the car that's damaged it, but the incorrect washing technique. Who washed it, you could claim off them?

I suspect the OP washed their car...

There's ways of washing cars that will remove the muck without damaging the paint, and ways of doing so that'll pretty much guarantee damage...

I suspect that "moved into our home a few years ago, which sat across from an empty field" is a way of describing a new-build that was part of an earlier phase of a major development, and it's the later phases which are now occurring somewhat predictably. Such are the perils of choosing to live on a building site.

If you can show that the builders have been negligent, then you may have a claim. But, tbh, unless they're willing to extend a goodwill payment to you, I suspect you will get just about nowhere. The fact that you have video of them being diligent in cleaning the road of the inevitable debris from their works, as they will have been required to do under their planning permission, does not prove that they were negligent in causing damage to your car.

sheramber

genericusername1 said:

Hi all,

Looking for some advice. We moved into our home a few years ago, which sat across from an empty field. In the last year a house builder has undertook a major earthworks exercise on the site, creating what could be described as dust storms that have covered our cars on a daily basis.
I noticed when washing the car that there are now lots of micro scratches and light marks, along with numerous stone chips along the drivers door (I suspect these have come from the road sweeper they have sent down the road to displace the mess).

While I have recordings of the street sweeper going past and have previously voiced concerns with the builder, do I have any recourse here to try and get my paintwork corrected at their expense?

Is anybody else’s car similarly damaged? 

genericusername1

Mildly_Miffed said:

Emmia said:

paul_c123 said:

Its not the dust landing on the car that's damaged it, but the incorrect washing technique. Who washed it, you could claim off them?

I suspect the OP washed their car...

There's ways of washing cars that will remove the muck without damaging the paint, and ways of doing so that'll pretty much guarantee damage...

I suspect that "moved into our home a few years ago, which sat across from an empty field" is a way of describing a new-build that was part of an earlier phase of a major development, and it's the later phases which are now occurring somewhat predictably. Such are the perils of choosing to live on a building site.

If you can show that the builders have been negligent, then you may have a claim. But, tbh, unless they're willing to extend a goodwill payment to you, I suspect you will get just about nowhere. The fact that you have video of them being diligent in cleaning the road of the inevitable debris from their works, as they will have been required to do under their planning permission, does not prove that they were negligent in causing damage to your car.

Mildly_Miffed said:

Emmia said:

paul_c123 said:

Its not the dust landing on the car that's damaged it, but the incorrect washing technique. Who washed it, you could claim off them?

I suspect the OP washed their car...

There's ways of washing cars that will remove the muck without damaging the paint, and ways of doing so that'll pretty much guarantee damage...

I suspect that "moved into our home a few years ago, which sat across from an empty field" is a way of describing a new-build that was part of an earlier phase of a major development, and it's the later phases which are now occurring somewhat predictably. Such are the perils of choosing to live on a building site.

If you can show that the builders have been negligent, then you may have a claim. But, tbh, unless they're willing to extend a goodwill payment to you, I suspect you will get just about nowhere. The fact that you have video of them being diligent in cleaning the road of the inevitable debris from their works, as they will have been required to do under their planning permission, does not prove that they were negligent in causing damage to your car.

I’d like to think I washed the car the correct way… but you have a valid point and given it’s not a brand new model, I can’t say the paintwork was 100% perfect on purchase. But looking at the photos from collection last year compared to now it’s an appalling difference, and the only change has been the continual dust storms.  

Thanks to all for the replies, had given something to think about. TBH, given the dust storm I just walked past, I would have liked to think that developments would require to have dust barriers as an attempt to mitigate the inevitable. 

Neighbours cars are all looking similarly scruffy… but that’s not new for a number of them. 

sheslookinhot

Get an indication of a price for a paintwork correction and approach them in a friendly manner with a request for a contribution and why you feel they should make a contribution. You can only ask.

ThorOdinson

And also ask that they install dust barriers. It's mad that builders don't regularly do that as a matter of course in this country.

Presumably your house, garden, and other property need professional cleaning now too.

Mildly_Miffed

genericusername1 said:

Neighbours cars are all looking similarly scruffy… but that’s not new for a number of them. 

May I ask...

Is your attitude to car cleanliness significantly different to the majority of the population? Are you a "detailer"? It may not be reasonable to expect them to cater to a standard that is objectively exceptional.

Have you looked into getting your car professionally cleaned, and handing the bill to the developer?

MyRealNameToo

genericusername1 said:
But looking at the photos from collection last year compared to now it’s an appalling difference, and the only change has been the continual dust storms.  

That isnt the only change though is it? You've used the car for another year. I am guessing you arent the type that is out with the car polish/wax every weekend whereas when you collected it it was almost certainly freshly polished as it hides a multitude of sins. 

facade

ThorOdinson said:

And also ask that they install dust barriers. It's mad that builders don't regularly do that as a matter of course in this country.

Presumably your house, garden, and other property need professional cleaning now too.

Tbh, I'd be concerned by the health effects of breathing in the dust- to the point that I'd be wearing a dust mask outside.

Check your pollen filter & air filter in the car too if it is as bad as you suggest, they will clog with fine dust.

You have to take care of your health now while you still have it! Plus there is less than zero chance that the developer would still be around to pay for any health care you need in 20 years time, they tend to go bust every few years

(My grandfather died from pneumoconiosis)