Failed fix: Flooding, mould after repairs
Paul Barrett has spent four years living in his parents’ loft waiting for a six-week repair job on his home to be finished.
‘‘You do get really, really p ..... off,’’ he said. ‘‘But the problem is, you do kind of get used to life as it is.’’
Earlier this year, the Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO) scheme revealed an increasing proportion of complaints in Canterbury were to do with failed earthquake repairs.
The Earthquake Commission (EQC) has taken on thousands of second-time earthquake repairs in Canterbury in the past few years because of poor workmanship, failed or incorrect repair strategies, scope omissions and new damage.
Barrett’s Lyttelton property, which he owns with his brother, suffered minor damage in the September 2010 earthquake, and major damage the following February.
It wasn’t until June 2012 when he made a public health complaint to the Christchurch City Council about sewage running down the street that EQC and Fletcher EQR sent contractors in.
Barrett moved his possessions and business out for what EQC told him would be six weeks.
The commission gave him the all-clear to move back in after six weeks, but he immediately saw problems. There were cracks in the wall linings and chimney base, and movement in one wall. Wallpapers and carpets hadn’t been laid, and cables were sticking out of the wall.
The underfloor piles, which Barrett considered the underlying issue, hadn’t been addressed. It caused the house to ‘‘dish’’, he said. ‘‘They said that the house was habitable.’’
Barrett rented a place for about six months, but when his accommodation allowance ran out, he moved in with his parents.
EQC general manager of customer claims Trish Keith said despite several attempts to proceed with the work, EQC couldn’t reach an agreement with Barrett on the repair strategy, particularly for the sub-floor area and drainage damage. The claim was put on hold in September 2012.
Asphalt and concrete removed from the side of the house during the repair proved important in the first decent rain, when water pooled by the side of the house and flooded into the downstairs area.
Clay and soil has since spilled out of the underfloor area into what used to be Barrett’s office, while black mould has started to grow downstairs, along with an industrious fern that found a crack in the floor.
‘‘It was ankle-deep in here. It was mouldy. There were mushrooms growing,’’ Barrett said.
EQC has cash-settled the drainage repairs, and Barrett had a family contractor do the work to stop more water getting in.
Barrett and EQC went into mediation in 2014, and independent engineering reports were commissioned.
Keith said EQC developed a revised scope of work, including the cost of repairing the basement area of the house.
‘‘This review meant the claim went over cap [more than $100,000] and has been passed to Mr Barrett’s insurer.’’
She said EQC was waiting for the insurer to accept the claim and consider settlement.
‘‘We’re stuck in between EQC and the insurance company,’’ Barrett said.
IAG spokeswoman Renee Walker said the company became aware late last year that Barrett’s claim could go over cap.
‘‘It has not yet been determined that it definitely will, and no cap payment has been made to date.’’
She said Barrett had provided reports, and IAG was in the process of obtaining its own before it could know.
‘‘The investigation process has been delayed by several factors, including site access, and expectations of the reports and investigation required.’’
Walker said a report was completed on April 28 that would inform a detailed scope to be prepared by engineers, costed and discussed with Barrett.
Barrett’s IAG insurance policy was purchased through his bank, BNZ.
It states property will be repaired to an as-new standard, but Barrett isn’t happy with the proposed repairs.
‘‘None of the repair strategies that they have come up with or offered have been to this standard.’’
He acknowledges he’s now making progress with EQC and IAG.
‘‘They’re saying all the right things at the moment, but you know it’s six and a half years since the first event.’’