Builders damaging things

6 years ago

Has anyone had heavy- handed builders? We have had several things damaged and they are refusing to replace or fix them. I am upset and finding it quite stressful. Not sure what to do and was wondering if anyone else had been in this situation?

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tamp75

6 years ago

Emily I think what Daisy meant was your sweeping statement that basically implied that most workmen are heavy handed & inconsiderate & are probably the same at home. You may not have intended to say that but it comes across that way.
All tradespeople we’ve had for our renovation - builders, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, roofers, Plasterers, tilers, etc have all been more than considerate & we are a family of 4 living here whilst we had the work done. It is possible but it comes down to 2-way respect & consideration of the others’ needs.

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Comments (17)

Daisy England
6 years ago
They should be insured if they're a decent company. Tell them you want to claim on their insurance.
GJ Dee
Original Author
6 years ago
They are insured and have admitted everything. However, they still won't pay up. It is awkward as they have more work to do.
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tamp75
6 years ago
What have they damaged & have they explained why are they refusing to pay? If they’re insured, it shouldn’t be a problem.
I think I’d withhold any further payments to them until they’ve paid for the damage. Or take the cost of the damage from their final bill if you can.
PRO
User
6 years ago
I agree with all of the above..........................however, with the boot on the other foot so to speak...............I have been round to other peoples houses expecting to re-decorate a whole room so many times, where i've turned up and they haven't cleared anything away. How do you expect to have something refurbed, decorated etc with objects in the way? Ok, it's our fault, builders etc , maybe we should explain that everything has to be out of the way................but I personally like others i'm sure would have thought it was obvious.

Sorry that your items have been damaged, but having building work done is a messy business, it's a building site and no place for anything breakable.

Obviously if an item cannot be moved, like a kitchen cabinet, island for instance, then the builders should take extra care.

Building work is always very stressful and I hope the builders sort everything out for you. Hopefully they'll pay up and all will be well. Nobody wants to have the build marred by a bad experience do they?

Good luck x
Daisy England
6 years ago
If they're insured and won't let you claim then why are you letting them back in to your house? Exactly what and how did they damage items?

I'm lucky with this sort of work as it's hubby's job so he and son do all mine. We don't get damages but never seem to get the work complete.
A B
6 years ago
I think if you claim on your insurance, your insurance company will then try and claim it from the builder's company. Obviously there will be an excess and it may affect your premiums
Najeebah
6 years ago
What exactly was damaged and to what extent?
Emily
6 years ago
I get what Math is saying. I had work done in almost every room which meant I was moving stuff around all the time. But sometimes they moved stuff I hadn’t anticipated and damaged stuff and yes in their opinion it was my fault since they need space to work. Well one thing I learned this year was I will never have work done again whilst living in a property!!
I think it’s part of who most workman are and to be fair I bet they are like it at home too!!
Daisy England
6 years ago
Emily, I think that's unfair. Most tradespeople are respectable and considerate both at home and in other people's homes. My husband and son are and I certainly wouldn't want them tarred with the same brush. They won't keep working around you. You need to be proactive and move things. They aren't removal men!
Emily
6 years ago
I agree Daisy. I did move everything I knew needed moving. But my builder didn’t always tell me something needed moving and I’d come home and things would be moved and damaged.
Plus I accepted the responsibility myself. I never asked him to pay for anything. So I don’t know what I’ve been unfair about?
A S
6 years ago
I can't praise the trustworthiness of our contractor and his tradesmen enough. Whilst we moved out, we left our stuff in the house; the workers could have binned it / moved it / took it but did neither. Rather they took the utmost care and asked each time they needed to move anything.

During the build,one of the workers knocked the worktop creating a dent. The worker took complete responsibility and paid for the fitting/ new worktop.
Emily
6 years ago
Gosh I’m sorry. I see I shouldn’t have said most. And to clarify I’ve genuinely got on and even had fun with everyone even the plumber who worked for me. And I would say that everyone even the plumber would say that I was a good customer. Pay without delay (apart from plumber who had been paid for most of the days but didn’t for the last bit but it certainly cost me far more having his mistakes put right.) tea and biscuits and accepting when couldn’t come when they said. And the delays and extra costs I’ve accepted, probably far more than I should have accepted but I do understand it’s hard to know every detail of a job before hand. But even so I will stand by saying that the workman I’ve had in the last year are better suited to a new build building site than a lived in home
peachypear
6 years ago
I’ve been in a period house 12 months coming from a new build flat that didn’t need any work doing to it. So house jobs and dealing with builders etc has been a massive learning curve for me. Aside from getting badly ripped off by a dodgy builder (which still makes me wince), all have been tidy, some exceptionally so. Just had some doors and architrave fitted and a skirting board was damaged which maybe they didn’t notice, but a spot of paint will cover it up.
Maybe clarify with builders which rooms need to be emptied each day.
Hope they finish soon and you’re pleased with the finished job!
PRO
MBH Carpentry and Joinery Ltd.
6 years ago
As a tradesperson myself I always discuss with my customer what the work entails and how it will be completed almost on a daily basis, I discuss anything that needs to be moved and ask if they require help to do so. Yes accidents happen and I will be the first to get my wallet out and pay for any damages if it is my fault, I learnt the hard way so to speak. I always leave a customers house as spotless as possible before I leave so the customer comes home from work without the worry of what they will find when they get in. Insurance is a necessity. If the tradespeople are at fault then I would expect them to pay.
GJ Dee
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you all for your comments. They took it upon themselves to move the stuff when we would have preferred to do it ourselves. So far a picture has been damaged, a door latch snapped off the door and a button on the American freezer lost. Not including a great big dent in the toaster. Otherwise they are good at their job and work tidily.
Rose Williams
6 years ago
Unfortunately, a lot of companies are adding lines like their workers are not held responsible for damage regardless that statutory consumer rights say otherwise and they came try to disclaim all they like but your rights cannot be overwritten. It's really down to weighing up the damage vs the work that's being done and how good you want to keep your relationship with the builders, as good builders are HARD to find!
Toaster... meh, ah well. The button on an expensive American Fridge, I would be looking to see how that can be rectified and go from there. Door latch is clumsy, and picture is careless... I have to say this is adding up a bit isnt it.

Builders damaging things

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