Pacha_Queen Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 If you instruct a builder to carry out work on your home and in doing the work a neighbouring property is cosmetically damaged, where does liability for their rectification work lie? With the home owner for instructing the work or with the builder for not taking necessary precautions or carrying out a proper assessment prior to commencing the work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgksheff Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Are you talking about something caused by movement or by actual contact damage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pacha_Queen Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 Contact damage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Clowning Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Its down to the builder, my dad had this issue when he had his conservatory built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pacha_Queen Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 It was a chimney breast I had removed. Some of the bricks were sideways rather than straight as the builder expected. Does that make sense? Anyway rather than taking precautions the builder went hammer and tooth at the chimney and caused damage. Apparently he didn't expect such brick formation as the chimney wasn't back to back and so didn't expect any problems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeX Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 If you instruct a builder to carry out work on your home and in doing the work a neighbouring property is cosmetically damaged, where does liability for their rectification work lie? With the home owner for instructing the work or with the builder for not taking necessary precautions or carrying out a proper assessment prior to commencing the work? the builder is legally required to have public liability insurance for these reasons. If the damage happened due to their actions, its their fault. If you instructed the builder to cause the damage, then it would your your fault. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgksheff Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 It was a chimney breast I had removed. Some of the bricks were sideways rather than straight as the builder expected. Does that make sense? Anyway rather than taking precautions the builder went hammer and tooth at the chimney and caused damage. Apparently he didn't expect such brick formation as the chimney wasn't back to back and so didn't expect any problems Builder's responsibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bloom Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I seem to think it depends on the 'builder' employed. I think it might be the householder's responsibility to make reasonable checks that the builder is suitably qualified and insured to carry out the work instructed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mafya Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 The builders public liability insurance should cover it if he has it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handypandy Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Some of the bricks were sideways rather than straight as the builder expected. Does that make sense? Not only does it make sense, but that was the way they were always built. The "sideways" bricks are exposed 'headers'. They are keyed into the wall of the house leaving half of them exposed, so that other brick work can be built up off them to form the flue section or 'smoke shelf ' within the chimney. If he didn't know this, I don't know where he's been. The headers will cut off cleanly with a bolster chisel to the side. The bricks should not be whacked 'full face' with a hammer as it is possible to cause damage on the other side of the wall. Common sense really. As there is usually another 'leaf' of brickwork, or even another chimney breast separating the two properties, damage is rare, nevertheless, he should have been more careful and its his baby. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.