I recently had my kitchen remodeled with new hardwood and carpet, thanks to a designer who recommended some flooring contractors. Unfortunately, one of the workers broke my in-floor vacuum system and also damaged the lock on my front storm door, which now won't lock. On top of that, I found some scratches on my bathroom wall. My question is, would you expect these contractors to cover the damages they caused? What are your thoughts on this situation?
7 Answers
Being careful with clients' property is essential. Breaking a lock and a vacuum system isn’t just a minor mistake; it’s negligence! You should document everything thoroughly and send them a bill.
For me, I might let the door lock slide, but there's really no excuse for breaking the in-floor vacuum. Contractors should come equipped with their own equipment.
Definitely yes, they should pay for any damage they cause! It's part of their responsibility.
I think any decent professional should offer to fix what they break. If they don't, I’d definitely tell them to handle it. If that falls through, just deduct the repair costs from their payment.
It depends on various factors. If it was their negligence, they should pay. But if the vacuum was already at risk due to the new floors, maybe they should cover part of it. And about the wall scuffs, there will likely be some touch-up needed after a flooring job, so charging them for that feels a bit picky.
Absolutely! Professionals are responsible for damages they cause. But as a homeowner, it's smart to get their license and insurance info upfront and do a walkthrough before and after the job to clarify what's pre-existing and what’s new damage.