basa
06-09-2006, 12:21
We recently had the Gas Board (actually a Joint Venture - Balfour Beatty / National Grid / Transco) replacing cast iron pipes from the main to all the houses in our Avenue (14 dwellings in all).
Part of the works was to replace the pipe into our gas meter which is located within our sink base unit.
When the fitter replaced this pipe he dislodged the waste pipe from the sink (and which incorporates the discharge from our washing machine). A few hours later whilst the washing machine was running and my wife emptied the sink after washing up all the water emptied into the base unit and onto the kitchen floor !!
MDF base units react badly to soaking in water and the carcase joints and bottom edges of the doors swelled and split within hours.
Balfour Beatty's site supervisor was shown the damage, admitted liability and sent an Insurance claim form.
Because our kitchen is some 10 years old (but in near perfect condition) we could not replace exactly the sink unit doors. We will have to replace ALL our kitchen unit doors (the base carcase is no problem replacing like for like). Also for the same reason we cannot get a larder unit the same width and need to replace that entirely to maintain a door match.
We submitted a claim to Balfour Beatty for £1,500 (approx), to replace base unit, larder and all doors (incl fitting). They have offered only £600 because our kitchen is old !!!
CAB are useless all I get on the phone is a half hour of recorded messages, I don't seem to be able to speak to a real person.
What is my next step .. Home Insurance, Solicitor, snotty letter ???? :erm:
Part of the works was to replace the pipe into our gas meter which is located within our sink base unit.
When the fitter replaced this pipe he dislodged the waste pipe from the sink (and which incorporates the discharge from our washing machine). A few hours later whilst the washing machine was running and my wife emptied the sink after washing up all the water emptied into the base unit and onto the kitchen floor !!
MDF base units react badly to soaking in water and the carcase joints and bottom edges of the doors swelled and split within hours.
Balfour Beatty's site supervisor was shown the damage, admitted liability and sent an Insurance claim form.
Because our kitchen is some 10 years old (but in near perfect condition) we could not replace exactly the sink unit doors. We will have to replace ALL our kitchen unit doors (the base carcase is no problem replacing like for like). Also for the same reason we cannot get a larder unit the same width and need to replace that entirely to maintain a door match.
We submitted a claim to Balfour Beatty for £1,500 (approx), to replace base unit, larder and all doors (incl fitting). They have offered only £600 because our kitchen is old !!!
CAB are useless all I get on the phone is a half hour of recorded messages, I don't seem to be able to speak to a real person.
What is my next step .. Home Insurance, Solicitor, snotty letter ???? :erm: