13

I’m renovating a kitchen, together with small hallway and a cloak room toilet. I hired a company to do all the work although I now realise I don’t have a formal contract with them, only with their sister company for supply and installation of kitchen units.

Long story short I woke up today and heard a slushing noise, went to investigate and found water bursting out from main valve located in the house. I run out to the water meter on main street and locked the water there.

I was quick enough to stop water coming into my living room which was not being worked on and contained the water to renovation area. That area is covered by a thin layer of fresh (fdried) concrete.

Me and the wife removed the water. I’m slightly concerned because main water pipe and drain which both served the old kitchen sink, needed to be uncovered from the concrete in the floor. This created a 150mm deep hole in the concrete. When water leaked there would be a puddle, but within minute the water would sink into the ground. I’m not sure how and how much water sinked in there.

I’m pretty sure at least 30cm of wood floor (engineered wood, glued to concrete) in my living room needs to be replaced, the water never raised over the floor but it reached the entrance and stood there for a couple of minutes before I’ve made a makeshift barrier.

My question is, I’m waiting for the contractor to show up for todays work. Should I work with them and ask for fixing the damage or should I contact my house insurer immediately? The reason I'm asking is because I don't know what the extent of the damage could be and I don't know if I can trust contractor on this matter.

Criggie
  • 11,950
  • 2
  • 26
  • 79
kacpr
  • 271
  • 1
  • 6

2 Answers2

20

Let me tell you a story about insurance companies and how they will screw you. First, before you call your insurance company to report an accident, call them and ask for a policy review to see if your particular loss is covered. If it is not hang up and do not report the loss.

Here is what happened to me. I assumed that the loss that I had would be covered so I called my insurance company to report my loss. Because of some wording in my insurance contract my particular loss was not covered, but since I called them they considered that a reported loss even though they never paid for any of my loss. That non-cocered loss would be carried on their books for 5 years and when I tried to switch insurance companies the new company told me that I had a recorded loss and that loss would increase my insurance rates. So, before you call make certain that your loss is covered. I now pay an increased rate for a non existent claim.

d.george
  • 12,593
  • 2
  • 16
  • 23
-1

The type of insurance you’re thinking of is “Builders Risk”. It’s used during construction and the homeowner applies for and takes it out as the beneficiary.

If the contractor is licensed by the state, then he probably has a bond as required by the State. You can call your state licensing board and find out if they are licensed.

If they are licensed, you can file a claim against them and their bond. (It’s called “attaching their bond.) The board will act as arbitrator and make a determination as to who is at fault. If you are successful, the bond will be given to you.

If they are NOT licensed, you will need an attorney to sue them for working without a license.

Lee Sam
  • 3,836
  • 1
  • 6
  • 14