As part of the compensation we had to hold a second inspection of the water damage a few weeks after completion. In all honesty I hoped that we’d been able to avoid re-plastering given the difficulties we’d had negotiating the settlement in the first place, but as in instructed I arranged for the expert to come out to do a further assessment.

I arrived at 2 pm and our expert was already there. We waited for the vendor to arrive and expected the building expert from the other side. Around five minutes later they pulled up and we began.

Essentially the readings hadn’t improved significantly and the recommendation was to re plaster. Surprise surprise the “builder” – who I am sure rocked up in a gypsy wagon and had actually no damp prevention experience what so ever didn’t agree. Rather he proceed to debate that we should just let it dry out… even though it might be months before it would do so and re decorate.

My Surveyor was astonished… and remained calm in the face of the attack as he had to defend his recommendation and his qualifications – even his day rates to this complete loon.

On top of this, the sisters even tried to start the “well we’ll have to negotiate on what we offer card…” Sorry no, we already did that – two weeks ago, you changed it three times and the final agreement is that you pay 50% of the costs based on the results of this survey…. divs.

Argggggggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh neeeeeeed wine now!

Cal (my guy) then said it could have been mitigated slightly by removing the skirting boards, which he advised them to do to weeks ago….. they then questioned me as to why did I not take them off, I said :

1) I only got the keys last Wednesday, up until that point it was your house

2) As if I am going to make any changes which you would have then said I caused the need for re-plastering.

It sounds like estate agency haven’t been very helpful to them with telling them who had access and when… but honestly that’s not my issue, and if they want to pursue them for damages feel free, but give me a flipping dry house why they do it.

The following day, I supplied the quote to the solicitors for review. This was challenged by the expert from other side who supplied a break down akin to “War & Peace” as it disputed the drying properties of timber and gypsum plaster.  I was surprised he’d been able to make such a detailed assessment. Considering he only visually inspected the walls and bought no actual equipment to take any readings?!

Unfortunately for them this was inadmissible as this independent expert was the husband of one vendors!! The solicitors of both sides could not believe they’d even had the cheek to try this.  They have even gone so far as to stop responding to correspondence?!?

So as things stand,  as results indicate the work is needed we should be receiving our retention in full next week.

Let’s see if that actually happens!!

Now we are past the survey. We’ve taken the decision to remove the skirting boards. O M G…. It was completely gross….

So….You think this will dry out ” Mr Husband / Builder???” I don’t think so….