I had a roofer replace my roof but afterward during my inspection, I saw they had not properly flashed the chimney. I had the roofer return and correct the issue but it could have rained causing interior damage. A ceiling could have become water logged and collapsed causing injury and as a result I might have lost my job, my wife may have walked out on me and the dog could have become upset and bitten me.
How much money should I get for all that mental trauma?
Well, since you’re being compensated for things that might happen, you should receive compensation that might be worthwhile. Like a lotto ticket.
If the contractor’s smart, he’ll be kissing the homeowner’s feet for saving him from a liability that would have bankrupted him. If the labor was $200-275, refunding that seems entirely reasonable.
Now who’s being crass?
One time, I had my brakes worked on, and they didn’t bother to tighten the brake lines, or check the operation. This is back when I worked in San Fran, luckily I managed to make it through all those red lights dodging cars and pedestrians without killing anyone or getting in an accident.
I suppose I should be thankful the shop didn’t charge me for the tow back, though I did have to pay for the brake fluid I spilled on the road. It’s only fair.
How is what he said crass? Negative publicity would be potentially harmful to the contractor.
I was pointing out that he said it was crass for the homeowner to be making a deal over compensation, but then he suggested that it’s reasonable for the contractor to make a deal to protect his finances.
This. As long as they did not charge for the second visit (making things right) then that should be it. I wouldn’t hire them again, though. I am not a plumber, but I’ve installed gas appliances in the past and checking for leaks is part of the job.
You would’ve gotten more money if you let the house blow up. Lesson learned for next time.
ianal
i agree that you wouldn’t be successful in going to court, you can’t get potential damage and you would have to put a value on what actually happened.
the problem was cured. getting $50 to $100 is an OK resolution.
recommendation of gas smell is to not use or switch any electrical. open windows and ventilate, turn off gas at supply point. if it was a major amount (not from a blown out pilot or burner) then call from outside the home. get people out into fresh air which resolves effects from minor exposure.
one good thing is when faced with an emergency to keep a level head. panic and anxiety can make people sick and the emotion is contagious. there are many cases in schools or workplace where everything is fine until one person says they smell a funny odor and instantly dozens feel sick enough to be taken to the hospital. there are thresholds for toxins and groups do get affected but since nothing is found at the hospital i would think many to be illness brought on by panic. kids seem to be more prone to this due to lack of experience to risk/hazard/danger evaluation.
Bankrupted him?
Maybe if the whole family was killed, and they left an open gas line then maybe it would bankrupted him. maybe.
If we blew up your house tomorrow, it wouldn’t bankrupt us. Thats what insurance is for.
Not me.
I’m a consumer and a parent also. If this happened to me (and I wasn’t already knowledgeable about the risk they likely faced) my questions would be these:
How/why did this happen?
What have you done; or will do, to prevent it in the future so another family is not put at risk?
As a contractor (and this is not a hypothetical question as I am a contractor) the questions are these:
How/why did this happen?
Is this a training issue, or a performace issue?
Was a procedure ignored? Are there sufficient procdures in place?
What plan of action will we implement to ensure it never happens again?
Instead the OP asks:
*
How much should I be paid?*
:dubious::smack:
The contractor is doing nothing more than the restaurant manager who comps the desserts for slow service, or the retailer who gives a gift certificate for poor service. Every business in that circumstance is ‘protecting the businesses finances.’ Thats entirely appropriate.
It’s a social nicety that counts more for the symbolism-----the intent-----than it’s value. In most instances its a token—a token of apology, or regret.
I’d offer the $50-100, understanding its simply a social nicety. Once people start treating it like winning the lotto daily game------- ‘you did something wrong, and gotcha!, you gotta pay me’------ it turns into a crass shakedown, plain and simple.
There is no way that this OP deserves $300, and no way should the contractor pay it.
I’d say at least 50% of people I know who are homeowners have had to fire a contractor or architect at some point. There are a lot of great, honest people out there, and a lot of whackjob losers.
Of coures, IANAL. So while you’re upset, expect no more than $100. You can’t get damages for what could have happened, nor should you. Unless you’re in a huge city, news that you sued will spread like wildfire throughout the community - plumbers, carpenters, contractors, heating/cooling people, etc. They will blacklist you - the good guys at least, who don’t want to deal with such a hothead.
The OP seems to be silent on this after all of the response.
I’ll step up and say I think the labor costs should be refunded. It certainly was very shoddy work to leave it in the condition the OP indicates it was in. Assuming the statements made are in fact true. I think a lawsuit could be made for labor costs.
And also this should most definitely be reported to whomever oversees such things. Perhaps the person needs more training or perhaps he was just lazy and negligent. For all we know the person turned on the gas, lit the pilot and split without any leak checking. Which, quite frankly, is basic plumbing 101.
Why should the OP have the labor cost refunded? Does he not have a working hot water heater?
I KNEW IT!
Rand Rover is the Loch Ness Monster!
Exactly*
He should get an explanation and an apology. If he gets anything else it should be a small token gesture. That’s it.
Wouldn’t we all feel foolish if he died in a house explosion. :eek:
I shouldn’t laugh at that.
Nice user name / comment combo, btw. 
His attorney may have advised him not to post about it further. Or, given its a nice weekend, perhaps he’s just popped out? I’m sure he’ll drop in soon. 
There is underwater Wifi? Sweeeeet!