Reply to: Floor damaged during delivery

[SueEllen]

Did it honestly take from 13th Dec until today before they sent out an assessor?

How many assessors do you think the country has? There has been an issue of flooded homes since Christmas.

[Scruff]

Did it honestly take from 13th Dec until today before they sent out an assessor?

[ASB]

Unless you recorded him saying it ir had a couple of other people present then don't bank on him agreeing at a later date.

I am not banking on anything. What I am hoping for is that they can match everything up and effect a repair.

I rather imagine if they cant we just get into negotiation and see where it ends up.

[SueEllen]

Well, the assessor came round yesterday. Bunch of photos etc, will try to match tiling. It was he who mentioned "if we cant match the tiles we will probably have to replace all the flooring through the kitchen too".

I await the next thrilling installment.

Unless you recorded him saying it ir had a couple of other people present then don't bank on him agreeing at a later date.

[ASB]

Well, the assessor came round yesterday. Bunch of photos etc, will try to match tiling. It was he who mentioned "if we cant match the tiles we will probably have to replace all the flooring through the kitchen too".

I await the next thrilling installment.

[darrylmg]

If you leave the tile in place, order a new washing machine from a more responsible company and then claim they did it.
You might have an easier time.

Seriously though, is it worth the stress? Let's imagine that the tile takes 3 or more years to crumble, you could just redo the floor at a later time.
Why not just ignore it. It'll save you more by not having the stress.

[ASB]

For a while... but that's probably considered acceptable. If you dropped a plate a chipped/cracked a tile yourself, you probably wouldn't replace the whole floor every time. Plus, you can artificially wear/distress a tile or two. Even colour it I would imagine, if you know how.

Agreed, in reality probably wouldn't effect any sort of repair until such point as it became truly necessary because the tiles started breakup up. But it's a bit different when somebody executing a paid for service has done it. In my limited experience trying to lift tiles for replacement is a bit of a nightmare without damaging surrounding area etc. No doubt easier for a professional tiler.

Your point about distressing it is a very good one. I hadn't though of that. With a bit of luck when their assessor finally comes this is something they can propose. I would think it should be something they have a fair bit of experience of.

4-6 weeks wait for the assessor though.

[d000hg]

For a while... but that's probably considered acceptable. If you dropped a plate a chipped/cracked a tile yourself, you probably wouldn't replace the whole floor every time. Plus, you can artificially wear/distress a tile or two. Even colour it I would imagine, if you know how.

[ASB]

Part of the problem will be that the original tiles will have faded/discoloured over time. So even if you found original tiles from the same batch, the difference will still be glaring for a while. YMMV

I agree, so it's all a bit of a mess really. One solution may be to retile the stairwell in it's entirety (it's probably only 2 sq metres. The annoyance there though is that the same floor goes into the utility room and the kitchen and the floor is laid in a flowing manner.

The solution to that is to retile all 3 floors - but that is clearly an unreasonable expectation.

It's going to have to be some sort of negotiated settlement.

[Pondlife]

It's not actually terribly visible in a photo. The damage is in a stair well with no natural light and the tiles are slate effect so it is not obvious. Though it is obvious to the touch and when walking on it.

I'm not after profiting by it; but I would like an effective repair. If they can find some matching tiles then great. If not some sort of compromise will need to be found - and I'm sure we will. If tiles can be found it's probably at worst a 1 day job, so not huge.

Part of the problem will be that the original tiles will have faded/discoloured over time. So even if you found original tiles from the same batch, the difference will still be glaring for a while. YMMV

[ASB]

If it doesn't invade your privacy unduly, can you share a photo?

It's not actually terribly visible in a photo. The damage is in a stair well with no natural light and the tiles are slate effect so it is not obvious. Though it is obvious to the touch and when walking on it.

I'm not after profiting by it; but I would like an effective repair. If they can find some matching tiles then great. If not some sort of compromise will need to be found - and I'm sure we will. If tiles can be found it's probably at worst a 1 day job, so not huge.

[d000hg]

If it doesn't invade your privacy unduly, can you share a photo?

[ASB]

Good advice, and all I progress. Thanks.

[Bellona]

Currys, the trading name of DSG Retail Limited, is duty-bound to provide services to consumers using "reasonable care and skill". This extends to the delivery men.

I would advise that you contact their insurance claims department (which it seems you have done) and tell them what happened.

Make sure you have a copy of the delivery note where the delivery person admitted it was their fault, and take pictures asap so they cannot allege damage is subsequent to them dropping the item.

If you have time before any loss adjuster visits, get three quotes - if the tiles cannot be sourced and a new floor is required, get this put on the quote(s).

As an aside - will your home insurance cover this if they only make a token offer ? Does your home insurance include any sort of legal assistance that can take them on for you ? Worth looking into to.

Before a letter before action you must allow them to attempt to reach a resolution with you, so please wait for someone from their insurance department to assess the damage ( as long as they don't take an unreasonable amount of time that is).

As another aside, worth posting your problem on their facebook page to get some attention if they are slow to respond

HTH

[ASB]

Was that with or without prejudice. If it wasn't without prejudice then they have admitted its their fault

See Practical Law

The offer was made without reference to "without prejudice" also without reference to "no admission of liability".

My recollection is that making an offer to settle does not of itself constitute any admission of liability.

But it is an indication that liability isn't going to be contentious. (Photos and an acknowledgement they dropped it and cracked the tiles helps in that area somewhat).