Builder caused carpet damage while doing works

itwasntme001

I had a building contractor round to drill some hand rails along a staircase. He did not put any coverings on the carpet so there is brick dust on some steps. Hoovering did not remove it all.

We did not hire this contractor and in fact they were hired by the council as we were provided this hand rail fitting for free due to parents disability.

We have raised a formal complaint to the council via email. They have asked us to speak to the builder, which we have. They initially denied it but then came around and agreed to get c carpet cleaner in to remove the stains.

We are waiting for a few days and will follow up when the cleaning will be organised.

My question is is there anything more we should do to protect ourselves in case for whatever reason the carpet stains don't get removed? Is our claim directly with the council since they were the ones who hired the contractor for us?

We have taken photos and sent with email all the details of what happened etc to the council.

Boohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6675108/builder-caused-carpet-damage-while-doing-works

Do you have some photos of this damage that you can show people on here to get a better idea of your predicament?

Grumpy_chap

It is hard to see what happened here as the quantity of brick dust arising from drilling a few screw holes to affix a handrail would be small. Also, naturally, that brisk dust would not set deep into the carpet and would be easy to hoover out. Unless someone tried to sweep the brisk dust up first and that actually drove the dust deep into the carpet.

I fully expect that the carpet cleaner that has been scheduled will resolve the matter. Are they cleaning the whole carpet or just the area where the brisk dust was? If the maintenance company are only paying for localised cleaning, it might be worth the OP enquiring whether the full carpet in that room can be cleaned so that there is not a clean patch (where the brick dust was) and the natural variance over the years in the remainder of the room.

itwasntme001

Does anyone know if I should be pursuing the council rather than the contractor? Any potential claim is with the council?

itwasntme001

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82058955#Comment_82058955

The stains are very visible, there was quite a bit of brick dust that did come out when drilling.

Aylesbury_Duck

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82059067#Comment_82059067

It's the council, but don't worry about that yet. Wait and see what it looks like after the clean.

greyteam1959

The reason that the brick dust has stained the carpet is that the brick dust comes out hot when drilling the hole.

Boohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82059067#Comment_82059067

At this rate your next post may say I have picked out my new carpet to replace the damaged one due to brick dust.

I did ask if you have an photo's of the damage we could look at.

Too late for you now but I always take photos/videos of the areas of where I am getting somebody to work or deliveries in my home as evidence due to some damage I had a few years ago but had no evidence of no damage before so I never got recompense but I have learnt my lesson the hard way.

Grumpy_chap

Was the OP present when the work was carried out? I note the comments about the work team not laying any protective floor covering, but did the OP request the same? Arguably, it should not need to be requested, but prudence would be to request.

The clean will likely achieve a satisfactory outcome. The OP needs to remember they have no right to betterment so a brand new carpet is unlikely to be on the cards - though we have not been advised of the age of the existing carpet which would have a bearing here.

Boohoo

A bit confusing to me as OP said hand rail was fitted for free by the council but I don't know if the handrail was also provided by the council and is it a council property or maybe the adult services OT private services.

Also is the OP living with the parents or the other way round as if the parents then the should be the ones dealing with the issue unless OP has permission as my FIL has my partner down as point of contact for anything to do with him and won't talk to anyone else unless you are next to him and he gives permission.

Lorian

Can we see a photo