Builders flung cement on car,how to proceed withdamage claim
Discussion
Hi chaps,
A friend of mine's car was heavily speckled with cement which had come from the neighbours house onto his car.
He is wondering how to proceed with claiming against the builders/neighbour. Does it require a police report or should he get in touch with an accident management company or is there some other route he should go down where they would be unable to wriggle out of it later by saying they did not do it.
A friend of mine's car was heavily speckled with cement which had come from the neighbours house onto his car.
He is wondering how to proceed with claiming against the builders/neighbour. Does it require a police report or should he get in touch with an accident management company or is there some other route he should go down where they would be unable to wriggle out of it later by saying they did not do it.
I'd be very cautious of asking anyone to clean the car, because if someone just puts a wet sponge to it and the cement gets scraped across the paintwork, then you'll be in more of a mess than you started with and have hundreds of fine scratches all over the bodywork, which will be hard to prove were caused by the cement and not general wear and tear. Personally what I would do is to take lots of photos (preferably with the building works in the back), send the photos to the building company and/or have a word with the foreman, and then just have a go on your own at chipping off a piece of the cement carefully with your fingers - it might not have bonded to the smooth paintwork and as such may simply fall off, leaving the car just in need of a very careful wash (careful as in just water and soap at first and no wiping anything on the paintwork!) and then perhaps a professional polish afterwards (keep the receipt).
Builders should have cover for this kind of thing. But like others have said evidence is your first step. Timing (could the car have been some were else), What work was being done on house to make this problem e.t.c.
Last is what you think is needed to fix. A good clear or compleat re-spray?
Last is what you think is needed to fix. A good clear or compleat re-spray?
Definitely don't let them anywhere near it! Purely as I suspect they'd just got at it with whatever they have to hand and most likely scratch the hell out of it.
As for getting it off, you may find that pressure washing it will loosen some of the cement. I'd have a look on Detailing World as I'm sure it can be removed without the need for a damage claim, unless you were planning on charging for a detailer to remove it.
As for getting it off, you may find that pressure washing it will loosen some of the cement. I'd have a look on Detailing World as I'm sure it can be removed without the need for a damage claim, unless you were planning on charging for a detailer to remove it.
Define ''Builders''?
Is it Trev & Daz from ''Builderz 4 Hyre'' off facebook (ie cash in hand, suspect insurance cover & potentially difficult to deal with), or Bovis Homes? If the latter then lots of photos to head office & with a polite but firm request for their assistance, if the former onto your insurance company for advice.
Is it Trev & Daz from ''Builderz 4 Hyre'' off facebook (ie cash in hand, suspect insurance cover & potentially difficult to deal with), or Bovis Homes? If the latter then lots of photos to head office & with a polite but firm request for their assistance, if the former onto your insurance company for advice.
catman said:
I wouldn't let the Builders anywhere near the car. There was a very similar incident on here recently, where parts needed replacing after an attempt to remove paint spray.
Tim
Very much this, I was the OP in the mentioned thread, I see it's been linked too already, so I don't need to do the same. Only let a professional touch it.Tim
Definitely get onto his buildings insurer and then call a detailer or bodyshop to get their professional opinion and a quote. This should allow you make a judgement if the solution the insurer offers is reasonable or taking the mickey.
A good few years back a neighbour got magnolia masonary paint on his new black jag-war and tried to get it off with a scouring pad, made a proper mess. Don't think he bothered getting it sorted out and just left it.
A good few years back a neighbour got magnolia masonary paint on his new black jag-war and tried to get it off with a scouring pad, made a proper mess. Don't think he bothered getting it sorted out and just left it.
Happened to a bunch of cars in the works car park including my defender from the builders next door. Big commercial builders, not home builder types. We all got quotes (mine was for a full respray) and our company submitted them to the building co. We got the go ahead and the building co paid.
Bert
Bert
We need more details and pics , by the tread title it sounds like they purposely threw a full bag of cement onto his car , reading it it sounds less serious. Was it wet cement or dry dust off an open bag left in the breeze? Did your neighbour have the option to wash it off himself?
Common sense would say speak to the builders and the neighbour directly straight away .
Common sense would say speak to the builders and the neighbour directly straight away .
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