And no, I didn't think of it like that. I just figured they probably accidentally hit it with a ladder or something and it was not anything they did on purpose. I figured I could have done the same thing myself so I wasn't going to bother them with it. Honestly I didn't think all that much about it. It was just like "oh the light is broken" and then I moved on.
Interesting. Our movers chipped the plaster on the lip of the ceiling part of our stairwell and offered to fix it without me even noticing it first. And I did let them fix it.
I do think that if I were the one moving my stuff I might have done the same thing, but I figure part of paying them to do it was having them do it better than I would have, so I shouldn't have to deal with broken stuff that will cost $$ to replace.
Yeah, they never mentioned anything to me. I am not sure if they noticed (like I think they just nicked it carrying the ladder out on the last day). Obviously if they would have offered to repair it I would have let them. But certain stuff I just don't care enough. Maybe if I loved the light or something things would be different, but it was 20 years old builders grade. Just wasn't in my to care.
I can't believe how many people don't care about their things especially $$$$ things. I get it, it's just stuff, stuff can be replaced and stuff isn't everything. But if I worked hard for this "stuff" and was willing to pay $$$$ for it then I'm going to take care of it and am going to want to keep it nice so that I don't have to buy/replace it so often.
It's one thing if H or I (or dogs) did it ourselves, but a professional service? When I buy nice expensive things, I intend for it to stay looking and working nice hence the reason I was willing to pay $$$$. And I especially expect a professional to know better than me.
Thanks for the update, I've been checking back. Honestly, it sounds like they may be lying about being bonded/insured. And that is a pretty crappy policy for her staff. I wouldn't want to hire someone that treats their employees like that. I do however think they needed to compensate you for your cooktop, so I am happy that was resolved.
Yeah, I wouldn't be comfortable with cleaning people in my house who don't have insurance. That means if they slip and fall it would be under my policy. No way. She is being shady. I'd look for someone else.
Post by pacificrules on Aug 1, 2014 0:36:52 GMT -5
Glad it's working out. Hopefully she orders/pays soon so this can all be resolved. Thanks for updating; I've been wondering about what ended up happening.
My idea to keep her on sounded good until I typed it all out last night in the update. I'm normally very risk adverse - I've even told DH to have craigslist people who were picking things up from our yard (wood, etc) to sign a release of liability (although he ignores me and thinks I'm crazy). I was just so happy that she appeared to be making good on the situation and I wanted to continue to give her the business. It honestly didn't even occur to me what could happen in the future until last night, so thank you all for pointing out how this is a bad situation. It is hard when my vision is clouded by not having to scrub toilets! We originally hired HER and she came personally. After a year or so she told us that she would be sending her "ladies" instead. Since she is the insured one, does it make sense that I insist that she be the one to personally clean from now on, or we'll find a different company? Although i still wouldn't be covered if she brought a helper, so probably still not a good idea. And I also agree that it is not great business practice.
And now I feel like I can't do anything until the stove top is actually installed because she could just disappear if I fire her.
This post is a good example of why you should always request to see a copy of a contractor's insurance certificate even when they insist that they are insured. I can't believe I didn't even follow my own rule.
Post by bostonmichelle on Aug 1, 2014 5:53:07 GMT -5
That sounds shady. I would just terminate her after the cooktop is ordered/replaced. Definitely get certificates of insurance from future cleaning ladies.
Not to give you another thing to worry about, but another poster in a different circumstance had something (lumber?) delivered from HD(?) for a contractor; when the contractor didn't pay HD for it, the store went after the poster for the $$, the logic being that the homeowner took delivery of the order and so was responsible. I don't know how that turned out, and the amount was probably more than you're talking about here, but I'd be leery of having the store deliver it directly to you without proof it had been paid for.
Just curious, how much is the replacement? Maybe she doesn't want to go through her insurance because it is close to her deductible anyway and possibly her rates could rise if she files a claim?
Not to give you another thing to worry about, but another poster in a different circumstance had something (lumber?) delivered from HD(?) for a contractor; when the contractor didn't pay HD for it, the store went after the poster for the $$, the logic being that the homeowner took delivery of the order and so was responsible. I don't know how that turned out, and the amount was probably more than you're talking about here, but I'd be leery of having the store deliver it directly to you without proof it had been paid for.
She is supposed to call the store directly and put the order on her credit card, so that part will be paid for. She will still owe for the installation - I assume she can pay the store for that with the card as well, but that wouldn't be paid for until after the part comes in (a few weeks from now). So once she orders the part, my only risk is the installation fee (around $180).
Just curious, how much is the replacement? Maybe she doesn't want to go through her insurance because it is close to her deductible anyway and possibly her rates could rise if she files a claim?
In total, it will cost about $530 for the part and the installation. She told me that her insurance wouldn't cover it anyway because she didn't personally do the damage.
I agree that her rates could go up if she filed a claim, which was why I shut her down quickly when she first suggested that I contact MY homeowner's insurance company.
Hmm, it sounds like she's not really a licensed business, and she's just paying some people under the table to help her clean. So you're also possibly supporting her in tax evasion (unwittingly). Being bonded and insured is kind of one of the basics if you hire employees. I would also assume she doesn't offer worker's comp or SDI, or health insurance, or UI, or really any benefits. I'm guessing she's either lying about being insured or she has some kind of rider on her homeowners/renters policy?
Just curious, how much is the replacement? Maybe she doesn't want to go through her insurance because it is close to her deductible anyway and possibly her rates could rise if she files a claim?
In total, it will cost about $530 for the part and the installation. She told me that her insurance wouldn't cover it anyway because she didn't personally do the damage.
I agree that her rates could go up if she filed a claim, which was why I shut her down quickly when she first suggested that I contact MY homeowner's insurance company.
Or, maybe she doesn't really have insurance? If she has insurance, she could just tell them that she did it. I just think the bolded is a lame excuse.
You really should get a cleaning service that treats it's employees better. Forcing an employee who makes a pretty small mistake IMO to give up a week or two of their pay is not moral to mind and the company is not bonded or insured for those employees, if they cannot make a claim on their behalf. That likely means, if they are injured in your home, the liability is on you too. Congrats on getting your new cook top.