Re-occuring damp and value of a guarantee?

eden,e · Post by **eden,e** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:09 pm

My terraced house was built in 1880. When I bought it 12 years ago it
had timber and damp work done with a 25 yr guarantee in the kitchen.
The damp reappeared on an inside arch wall (tried to attach a pic but wot upload) between kitchen/dining area (both sides) 8 foot away from the outer wall about 5 years ago. I didnt do anything about it at the time because I didnt want to have to take out my newly installed kitchen but now the plaster has fallen off and its a mess.

The company that did the work originally want £500 to come and assess it and say they will refund if it is found to be their fault. What are the chances of that happening? Would I be wasting my money? If so what should I do???? My kitchen shares a wall with my neighbour's bathroom - his house is a bit derelict..

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 12:56 am

you can understand it from there point of veiw but £500 !!!

if its a local company they should come out for free
to be honest any company should come out for free
but you should be prepaired to pay reasonable costs if its not there fault and if they have used a lot off resourses to proove the point then some costs will be incured

but i dont agree with up front costs of £500 because thats probably about the cost of redoing the origional problem so the balls in your court to get the money back thats if they do it in the first place

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 1:50 am

I think I would Write to them and say you are going to get a structural engineer, Architect or whatever, to investigate the problem and if if it's found to be their faulty workmanship, you will be claiming the cost from them plus any remedial work.

Put the ball in their court so to speak.

The guys will tell you who is best.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 12:01 pm

It's always difficult in these situations as the firm could be a limited company and so you always run the risk of them ceasing trading if you have to take legal action against them.

Is the guarantee insurance backed?

Is the firm a limited company?

Asking you to pay £500 up front is a joke and there is no way I would ever do that