non tree related legal advice needed

[flatyre]

Hey folks last week my dad didn't pull on his handbrake enough and the car rolled down a hill and damaged a garden wall. He immediately spoke to the house owner and offered to cover the cost of the repair. They agreed to get some quotes from stone masons and go from there, however the house owner did mention that he had a "mate" who could do it. Next thing my dad knows the wall is fixed and the home owner has a receipt for £940 quid from "his mate". I do a fair bit of stonework and had a look at the damaged wall the day after the accident, I reckon it was a one day £200 job, though I was going to do it for free obviously. My dad got a few quotes from qualified stonemasons who came in at around £250 on average. Anyway hell will freeze over before I let some chancer and his mate stroke my dad for a grand so I have written a polite letter offering £350 for the repair which includes £100 compensation for the inconvenience, and including copies of the stonemasons quotes. I imagine this will be rejected and we'll end up in the small claims court. can anyone offer some advice on the matter, like can the home owner legally get the work done without consulting with my dad regarding the cost, then bill him for it? Also his mate apparently turned up with three men and took two days, in a painter and decorators van? Obviously not qualified stonemasons so does that effect things? My dads pretty stressed about it so any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

This is the wall, the damaged area was about 2 metres long by about 2 feet, only faced on one side, back is just roughly rendered, all the stone was still there, just needed cleaned up and a few barrows of mortar at most. The brick work at the bottom was untouched.

 

[swinny]

I think youve been reasonable.

 

I'd wait to hear what they say. Obv a joker.

 

You've gone to the trouble of getting a few quotes to compare, hopefully in writing?

 

Let it go to small claims. Im sure they will see your quotes are more accurate and reasonable for the works and will throw it out.

[Gary Prentice]

The pointing, To my mind, indicates the quality of the work done.

 

In court, you would hope that although you would lose the case ( your dad did the damage and admitted liability), the judgement will be limited to a reasonable level, as indicated by the quotes you've got.

[treequip]

Why isn't your dads insurance dealing with this?

[skyhuck]

Why isn't your dads insurance dealing with this?

 

If people are reasonable a £200 job is better handled personally, but as its gone bad that may be the way to go:thumbdown: Why do some people these days always look for a chance to cash in

[Gary Prentice]

If people are reasonable a £200 job is better handled personally, but as its gone bad that may be the way to go:thumbdown: Why do some people these days always look for a chance to cash in

 

I think his dad's lucky that there hasn't been a claim that the occupiers family were leaning against the wall and injured when the car rolled into it.

[Stubby]

Him and his mate have just doubled the " cost " and split the difference .

[Gary Prentice]

Him and his mate have just doubled the " cost " and split the difference .

 

You're so cynical:biggrin:

[Stubby]

You're so cynical:biggrin:

 

You think ?

[Logged On]

They've gone ahead BEFORE you got a chance to send some quotes etc...?

 

How do / will the courts see this...?

 

As said, sound like chancers thinking you're dad will cough up....