What percentage of compensation should I ask for when unhappy with results of a fitted kitchen-many faults!?

Question

We have recently had a kitchen fitted and among other problems, the door to an integrated appliance isn't flush, this may result in a complete refit, therefore over the christmas period we have been without a fully functioning kitchen as we do not want to put things in their places, eg. utensils, food, jars, tins, plates etc. incase we have to remove it all again. All these are kept in our baby's room and he is in with us, as there is a freezer in his room (among other things), we also have a fridge in the hallway and have been unable to tile/paint as we do not know what will happen next. We have been inconvenienced, to say the least and feel that we should be entitled to some form of compensation. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Put a specific complaint in writing detailing the faults. Include photographs if you like. Send it to the company who you paid to fit the kitchen requesting that they make good these faults within one calendar month.

If they fix the faults, and unless you've got a lot of time on your hands, I'd advise just getting on with your life rather than trying to pursue compensation for the inconvenience.

If they fail to respond, write to inform them that you are taking legal action to recoup the cost of putting right the faults in the kitchen they fitted. Contact a solicitor regarding legal proceedings and potential compensation.

In terms of compensating you for your time, a rough and ready measure is to total up the amount of time you've spent chasing down this problem, multiply that by however much you're usually paid per hour.

Good luck.
Ta.

Answer 2

you are entitled that the company will fit the kitchen to an acceptable standard
if they fail to do that you can request that the complete the works according to your satisfaction, goive then a sufficient time period
after that you are entitled to seek compensation from them for the legitimate AND reasonable expenses. This is subject to who actually 'owns' the problem, if its the kitchen comapnies mistake they are liable.. if they fitted according to your measurements / drawings on somethign that wasnt thier responsibility then its your problem not theirs

reasonable is weasel words

it means that you should be able to recover any expenses incurred in getting them to (or an alternaive supplier) to fix the faults to an acceptable standard. bearing in mind what you regard as acceptable may not be in law. it doesn't give you free rein to sue for damages to feelings or whatever.

first off get a schedule of faults.. you have just the one shot at this, you cannot add other faults after you makie your intial complaint, unless the fault only just revealed itself (that means it was hidden from you at the time of the initial complaint). send them by recorded letter, give the company a specified period to respond, and preferably a specified period to make good. if you can quantify your losses... what are they?

well they may be a replacement appliance, or replacement door + fitting + cost of any time taken off work to resolve, any postage/phone costs. its doens't include hurt feelings, or the baby having to have a freezer in the bedroom. The fact that you decided not to put away all the pans / crockery etc was your decision in case you haev to remove it agian.. your decision not the company's... your responsibility not theirs..
the fact you didn't /couldnt tile or paint is irrelevant... what costs has that incurred.. well you proabably lost some bragging / swanking rights over your family, friends or neighbours.. big deal thats not a financial loss so you can't expect the company to carry the cost for that.

people can an do make mistakes, and usually they will get rectified if you copmplian properly about it. if you are seen to be a money grabbing compensation claiming parasite you'll get short shrift, and if it goes legal and you have turned down a reasonable offer from the company then you will be at fault.

Answer 3

It isn't very clear as to exactly what you had done. Appliances are frequently deeper than the cabinets on each side. There for the doors are not flush with the cabinets.

Mine were just changed out last year and they aren't.

Have you paid the company in full for their work? You must do a check list, listing the problems. Then call the job for-man and go over the list to register a complaint as to your dissatisfaction.

Unless things are much worse than you have described, I wouldn't count on much a credit, maybe 5% or so.

Good Luck and Happy New Year.

Answer 4

You should expect 100% satisfaction from a kitchen refit. It is not rocket science, and should be done to your entire satisfaction. Don't pay them a penny until you are happy with the results, and also demand to know when the work will be done, with penalties if they go over that time.

Whenever I have work done in my house, I demand a proper detailed schedule and a fixed completion date. If that date is exceeded, the penalty clauses are severe. If they complete ahead of time, the bonuses are generous. It is all a case of give and take, but if they mess up, the contractors suffer.

Answer 5

It depends on the contract, if there is one. Read the fine print. You might not be entitled at all.

I hope you would consider allowing them to rectify the situation and possibly upgrade something in the fitting to make up for the inconvenience.

We live in such a litigious society, it seems a shame to not talk and negotiate first. I wish you all the best.

Answer 6

Firstly, I would get all the repairs completed to your satisfaction, then depending on the cost of your kitchen, I would look for 50% of the fitting bill, plus out of pocket frustration expenses of your lost time, not being able to decorate. I would suggest a proportion of the total bill

Answer 7

Give them to weeks to rectify problems in writing,if they don't comply.Write another letter telling them you are taking them to a small claims court,because you are unhappy with the poor quality of work/defects.(Send letters out registered post as proof of postage).

Answer 8

i wouldnt ask for % just say your unhappy and that you wish for compensation due to the inconvinience it has caused you see what they come back with then either say you want more as you cant justify that amount or agree to it that way your not doing yourself outta compen-hope this helps

Answer 9

It all depends on the contract, if there was one. If not, does the company have any express warrantees? They don't have to do anything that isn't in writing.

Answer 10

That depends...can you tell us the company that supplied or fitted. Different companies try to fob you off with different amounts!