What Happens When a Tradesman Damages Your Home?

When you hire a contractor to do building, repairs or removalists services, you want it to be high quality and done with care. But sometimes accidents happen or a tradesmen may do shoddy work.

Depending on the nature of the damage, you might have some options to fix the problem quickly and fairly.

Damages to your property

When you hire a tradesperson to do work on your home, it's important to make sure they treat your property with the same care as you would. But accidents can happen, and some tradesmen may do a poor job that damages your home.

In this case, you should get a written contract that both you and the contractor agree to before any work begins. This will explain how things will be done and what happens if anything goes wrong.

In most cases, you can expect a licensed tradesperson to carry insurance that covers damage that they cause while they're working on your property. You should check their liability insurance policy to make sure it meets state limits and includes the right amount of coverage.

Injuries to you or your property

When a tradesman works in your home, they have to do it safely. This can involve a range of different tasks, depending on the type of work they’re doing.

For example, electricians need to know how to install wiring correctly and safely. Plumbers have to be able to handle pipes and fittings, while roofers need to know how to fix leaks and remove debris from the building’s roof.

It’s important that a tradesman is properly insured for their work. This can protect the individual and the company they’re working for from lawsuits.

However, it’s not always the case. In some cases, homeowners may be held liable for injuries caused by workers on their property.

Damages to your belongings

When you hire a tradesman, you want their work to be of the highest quality and value. You also want to be sure they treat your home with the utmost care and attention.

Unfortunately, even if you have found a reputable and competent tradesman, things can go wrong. For example, your roof may be misty from a leak or your chimney may be slightly off-kilter.

Fortunately, most licensed tradesmen will have insurance. This is the best way to protect yourself from being out of pocket should something unexpected happen during their work. A tradesman with good insurance will be more likely to take a proactive approach to repairing damage, so make sure you ask them for proof of their coverage.

Legal action

When you hire a company to do work in your home, including anyone that enters your home to do work, such as interstate removalists removing items out of your home it’s important that they treat it with the care and respect it deserves. But accidents do happen, and if you find yourself in a position where a tradesman or a company has damaged your home, there are a few things that you can do to help resolve the situation.

First of all, make sure the tradesman is a licensed and an insured contractor. This will prevent any financial liability from being incurred on your end if something goes wrong.

Another option is to take the tradesman and their insurance company to small claims court. This can be a quick and cost-effective way to settle your dispute without the need for a lawyer.

In most cases, homeowners will be able to recover damages from the contractor and their insurance company, as long as they have sufficient evidence of the damage. This however may be more difficult especially if the contractor did not carry enough insurance to cover the cost of the repairs. You may need to seek the help of a civil attorney.