We selected some new and expensive carpet for our new home.
The carpet is thicker in comparison to most brands. As a consequence the carpet layer had a challenge stretching the carpet and as a consequence cracked some of the skirting boards and damaged a lot of the freshly paint trim.
We discussed with the carpet shop and they have offered $150 as a “good will” payment only but our costs will be much higher.
We would appreciate any guidance or suggestions from the Choice Community.
The contracted company should be liable to make good per the delivery of services.
and specifically Services must:
Search the Community for the ACL Letter of Complaint and read the links to the ACL as well as the Choice advice, all linked to posts in the Community, or via an internet search.
You need to keep logs of who said what to who when and the substance, and put everything in writing. Let the carpet company know you are aware of your rights and their responsibility (liability in this case). If they push back send them a formal letter of complaint. If you need to do that make sure your points reflect a silk arguing a case in front of a magistrate for completeness of the problem, your rights, how they failed, and what you want by when.
Unfortunately some companies know how to and do work the system so it could be a trip to QCAT and the above is your dossier of evidence if you decide taking it there is worthwhile considering the value of your loss and time.
Please keep your topic updated on how you go.
That would take extreme talent.
Assume that is factual and how it compares with the carpet being replaced. It may not be?
Did the supplier do a site measure and quote?
Did the installer check the clearance of the skirting boards to the floor before proceeding to the install?
Two opportunities for the supplier and installer to reliably assess the suitability of the product to be installed with your existing skirting boards. If not both should have advised the skirting boards would need to be removed and reinstalled at a more suitable height. A common issue well known by those with experience/competent in such matters?
The process of stretching carpet is a tool the installer hits with knees to push it up to the grips affixed to the flooring. The only way I could imagine the skirting boards getting damaged is a lack of due care resulting in the tools coming free from the carpet and impacting the skirting boards. Not being there it could be something else, but that is all I can imagine.
Is there more detail that can be provided @ACQLD ?
As a first step, it might be worth looking at original contract you signed for the installation. I have seen contracts which state that the owner s responsible for removing skirting boards, floor trims/mouldings and other coverings before work is done. The same contracts also state that if they are left in place, the installer doesn’t accept reasonable damage caused by the works.
With some carpets and other coverings (e.g. some floating floors) it can be different to get the covering to extend flush with other surfaces and the skirting/trims/mouldings are used to make a neat edge.
If the damage is what might be considered unreasonable, then it could be argued that the installers were negligent and the damage shouldn’t have happened.
Years ago when we had our floors covered during renovations, the installer asked for skirting to be left off where it had been removed and where skirtings remained, asked that the skirtings be painted after install. We obliged to ensure a quality job was done. Painting the skirtings after install was a pain as we were worried about getting paint on the new coverings.
