Insurance claim - poor workmanship

[Summer]

Approx 5 years we had a flood in our house and subsequently made a claim on our house insurance for new carpet etc. The lounge is fairly large and therefore the carpet had to have joins in it and we did ask at the time if they would be visible and were told they wouldn't be. Allied Carpets fitted the carpet with 3 seams and all 3 were unacceptable as they showed tremendously. Allied Carpets advised us that they wouldn't show after approx 6 months. Guess what? They still did! We were also told that it was because of our hoover as we should use one with a beater, although what they didn't know was that we have a Kirby and this is exactly what it does. The manager of Allied Carpets eventually came out to look at the problem and agreed the joins hadn't been sealed correctly and redone them but we still were not satisfied with this as they still showed. They then said it's because the floor's uneven.

We have been arguing our case with the insurance company and Allied Carpets but no-one will do anything about it as the insurance company no longer use Allied Carpets as an approved fitter.

Just to clarify we don't have a problem with the carpet - just the workmanship. Where do we go from here as our insurance company has said complain to the Ombudsman but they're usually not worth approaching.

The joins in the hallway were so bad that my husband removed the carpet and we put wood flooring down instead.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

[callumsgran]

Hi and welcome, try your local trading standards office in the phone book! they should be able to tell you who is liable for this! hope this helps and good luck!

[craigwalton]

Hello,

Sorry to hear about this.

As Allied Carpets were a Delegated Supplier by your Insurance Company both are liable.

It is a pity that your Insurance Company no longer use Allied, as Allied wont really care about this, as they have already lost their business.

What you really need is an Independant Report on the workmanship. I would complain to your Insurance Company, and they should send someone out with no vested interest - see if they have an agreement with Independent Inspections - they are really good...

Failing that a loss adjuster should have been appointed by your Insurance Company to arbitrate.

If they still are refusing to send someone independent out, then get a local carpet fitter to compile a report on the carpet / fitting - the more detailed the report, the better.

Regarding the Ombudsman - it is not really a waste of time on matter like this. They should fall down on your side - especially with the Insurance company not sending someone independent already. However, this can take time. To speed things up, ask the Insurance Company to send you a "Final Decision" letter.