How would you handle this? *Update*

Update:
Thank you so much everyone. Trying to keep perspective, but i appreciate the comments! To his credit, the painter is appropriately horrified that this happened. He's been painting for 27 years and never had an accident like this. Just bad judgement and a huge lesson learned. We're deducting $ to have the piano moved and repaired and he's doing quite a bit more painting. I actually feel really bad for him. It's just a lose-lose situation but what's done is done. Thanks again.



I hired a painter who came highly recommended by a very responsible family friend. He painted the dining room first - I moved everything from my china cabinet onto the baby grand piano in the living room. The living room was getting painted the following day - I planned on moving everything back into the china cabinet that night.
Well, before he left on day 1 he wanted to prepare for the next day. So he moved the piano. By himself. With all of my collectibles on it. I have a teapot collection - 13 years worth, many antique ironstone pieces. Also my grandmothers candle holders, the bride and groom lladro my MIL bought, my toasting flutes ... all my favorite pieces. :(
I was home - I went to see what he was moving, and then -- in front of my eyes, the piano leg collapsed. One by one every. single. piece. crashed to the floor. The piano collapsed on top of it. :(
I'm devastated. I know it's just "stuff" but it's my most favorite stuff.
So, the painter is not insured. He was appropriately horrified when it happened. He cleaned up every shard (took 2 hours) but first told me to take pictures for my home owners ins. We don't want to put in a claim and have a high deduc. anyway.
He's finishing the job tomorrow. I was hoping that he would step up and say "how are we going to handle this" but he's said nothing. I'm too upset right now to think thus out clearly. My things are gone and I have a freaking piano on the floor in the middle of my living room 2 weeks before Christmas. I'm supposed to have a new carpet installed next week.
If you've read this far, thanks. WWYD?

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Message edited 12/12/2011 2:11:46 PM.

Re: How would you handle this?

sorry you lost all your favorite stuff

i would tell him he needs to replace what is still available and reimburse you for what is not. you shouldn't have to pay for higher insurance bc he's not insured. tell him if he doesn't replace/reimburse then you'll be going to the bbb.

Message edited 12/10/2011 10:19:21 PM.

Re: How would you handle this?

I am so very sorry....but he should not have been moving the piano by himself....he is totally responsible for all of the damage...

Re: How would you handle this?

Omg, WHY would he move a piano at all and especially with all of your things on top?! IMO he is 100% responsible and needs to reimburse you. Sorry you are going through this..

Re: How would you handle this?

Wow, that is some major screw up on his part. I don't have advice, but wanted to say I'm sorry you are going through this.

Re: How would you handle this?

I wouldn't pay him if he doesn't offer up something. That is 100% his fault. He should have asked you before touching something so valuable, specially with so much stuff on top of it. So sorry!!!

Re: How would you handle this?

My thoughts are that you should put the claim in for home owners and he should pay your deductible. Small claims court if he doesn't agree.

Re: How would you handle this?

He should be doing that job for free now

Re: How would you handle this?

Posted by Mrs213

He should be doing that job for free now

Re: How would you handle this?

Re: How would you handle this?

If your piano colapsed, i dont see it as totally his fault. I hope you can come to an agreement.

Re: How would you handle this?

Posted by LadyBugN2Buggies

Posted by Mrs213

He should be doing that job for free now

My first thought....this should be his first step.
So sorry this happened!!

Re: How would you handle this?

I feel terrible for you. OMG.

At the very least he should NOT charge you for the job. Does he have ANY clue what he did?????? What those items were worth $$$ and sentimentally?

I dont even know what I would do. I feel so bad for you.

Re: How would you handle this?

Re: How would you handle this?

Message edited 12/11/2011 12:43:34 AM.

Re: How would you handle this?

OMG no advice just lots of

Re: How would you handle this?

Oh my gosh that's terrible!!

Re: How would you handle this?

Is he bonded and insured? If he has liability coverage his insurance should pay for the damages. But I agree with PP get your homeowners involved ASAP.

Re: How would you handle this?

I feel awful for you! My thoughts:

Job for free & put claim in with Insurance company- he pays deductible. IF they do not cover the piano getting fixed then he should be paying for that. I feel like you should attempt to find as many of the collectibles as you can and print them up with prices and present to him and insurance what was on the piano.

What a disaster.

Re: How would you handle this?

Omg My blood ran cold when I read this. I'm so sorry, I would be devastated too

Just from a practical standpoint tho, you should be careful submitting a claim to your homeowners for something that was the fault of an uninsured painter you hired.

It's my understanding that they raise your rates if they find out that you're the "kind of person" (you know how ins. co. look at things) who hires people without making sure they're insured.

Your approach to this...you're a nicer person than me. I would be out for blood. Do you have a lawyer who can advise you?

Message edited 12/11/2011 8:28:57 AM.

Re: How would you handle this?

I wouldn't go through your insurance. Even if he agrees to cover your deductible you run a huge risk next year of being dropped since you put a claim through. Companies are just looking to drop people.

I would find as many prices as possible and he needs to reimburse you, even if you have to do the small claims route.

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Re: How would you handle this?

Posted by Karen

I wouldn't go through your insurance. Even if he agrees to cover your deductible you run a huge risk next year of being dropped since you put a claim through. Companies are just looking to drop people.

I would find as many prices as possible and he needs to reimburse you, even if you have to do the small claims route.

Re: How would you handle this?

I agree with the ladies who said don't go through home owners. HE is responsible. He had NO business touching your piano without permission, especially with all of your valuable on it. What a bonehead move. I'm so sorry. I would let him know the value of everything that was damaged in any way including the piano. The paint job, to me, is a separate issue and probably FAR LESS in value than what he broke. Just doing the job for free is getting off way easy. I would tell him when he pays you for the list of lost items, he'll get paid for the job or you'll see him in small claims court.

Re: How would you handle this?

I get the reasoning of not wanting to go through home owners ins, but legally, I'm not sure he is responsible (i'm so not a lawyer).

Since he isn't licensed/insured, it's like asking your friend over to paint. If your friend did the same thing, it would go under home owners. Or your friend's insurance...now that I'm thinking about it...maybe the painter needs to file this under his home owner's insurance?

I could be totally wrong...just brainstorming