House damaged by building works

[FH27]

Hello there I am looking for some advice or for others to share their experiences if they have been through something similar.

Basically between March 2022 and January 2023 a big company carried our some building work directly opposite our house. The work left us with some damage to our house due to heavy machinery they used. The damage includes cracks in our ceiling and damage to outside pipes for sewage due to driving heavy machinery over them. We were told we would compensated the costs of repairing these issues but we are having no luck contacting anyone from the company to arrange this. When we email the address we were given we either don't get a reply or we're told they are looking into it but then nothing ever comes from it. We are in touch with our local MP but so far he also has the same issues with them not replying or them saying they will do something but then nothing happening.

We are now thinking we'll have to go through a solicitor which scares a bit because of the cost and the stress of the process. So basically I'm wondering if anyone has been through anything similar and could please share how it went for them. Also if anyone has any knowledge they can share that's relevant to our situation I would appreciate that too.

Thank you for reading

Presume this was a contractor? If so find out who the work was contracted from and contact them. Try and get details of their insurance company and go through them

Can you prove it was caused by them? Do you have photographic records of the damaged areas before and after the works? Without this how will you prove it was caused by them? As for your question, maybe approach trading standards as a starting point?

Check your home insurance to see if legal costs are included. Either way I would notify them and see if they can be of assistance.

• Buildings Insurance as its structural rather than contents

I'd just go straight through your home insurers - they can rectify the damage and will pursue claiming the money back from the other company themselves

This!

Ceiling cracks would be highly unusual when the work was across the road.

Sewage pipes might not be your responsibility if they are in the street or are shared with others and run through your garden. Try the Water Company if the pipes are theirs. However if the pipes are near your house, it’s unlikely to be damage caused by the building contractor opposite.

You could try your insurance but ceiling cracks and no wall cracks might not indicate much unless it’s cracking between the edge of the ceiling and the wall and quite significant. Is there cracking in the exterior walls? Are the windows or doors sticking? Could be heave if a pipe is leaking. Whatever you do, contact a surveyor to assess who owns the pipes and if the cracks warrant further investigation.