Flooring company refusing to reinstall laminate unless we pay for subfloor repairs

Boohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82164209#Comment_82164209

OP 1st thread which has details of installation 3 years ago. Please read it.

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice regarding flooring installed by Tapi Carpets in October 2023.

"As part of the same job, Tapi supplied and fitted laminate flooring downstairs and LVT flooring upstairs, including the bathroom. Before installation, Tapi sent someone to inspect and measure the floors, and we were told the existing floors were suitable for the flooring we had chosen. No subfloor preparation or levelling work was recommended or carried out."

No work was done at the time before installation.

Charliewashere

Further to the above, we have photographs taken the day before the original installation in 2023, which show the same gaps beneath the skirting and the same apparent “sinkage” that have now been cited as reasons to abandon the job this week.

Had the manager visited to inspect these issues along with the spongy areas, at the time, as he has done this week, I believe we would be in an entirely different position now. These concerns are irrefutably not new developments

born_again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82164143#Comment_82164143

Not saying they are their own lender, it just the lender they refer you too. So there is a lot more in terms of interactions between them.

So lender has far more to go on in terms of a refusal of S75.

sheramber

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82164240#Comment_82164240

was that not the first time fitting the floor , not the latest inspection 3 years later.

Charliewashere

If they reject either claim, I am thinking of offering a condition of the £600 I am after being a full and final settlement in hopes that sweetens the deal. We just want the whole thing over and to wash our hands of Tapi, and I’m sure they are starting to feel similar

Boohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82165138#Comment_82165138

Be prepared that if they reject that and then you want to go the court route it could be mid-way into next year before it gets to court after mediation, if you choose that in the meantime what do you do with all that flooring (if it's in your home) laying about.

Good luck anyway and if you want to go legal go to https://legalbeagles.info/forums/ if you haven't already as they are good at advising people in your situation.

HopeAndDriftWood

First up, I am really sorry - genuinely. Your house sounds like mine, and we had a similar nightmare while pregnant, and it is really stressful living in a building site while your hormones are screaming at you to be nesting and making it good for a baby.

But as someone who did what you are planning; I'd also not plan to be out in four years. Hope, absolutely - but a newborn is much, much easier without flooring than a three or four-year-old; and the way the housing market has been, there's no guarantee you'll leave when you thought you would. Your wife might find that she adores her NCT/baby group and wouldn't want to move away, etc. I was we'd listened to this advice, so I'm passing it on just incase you do 😅

CAB are right that there's an avenue to ask for your money back; but there's also a hefty defence on their side.