Installer liability: get free advice

Questioner

When installing our new kitchen, a certified installer drilled through the water pipe. He did not check the drilling site in advance with a detection device, he does not have one in his possession and says that they do not work. I immediately pointed out to him that our interior walls are made of sand-lime brick blocks and that there is no reinforcement in the walls, so that I think the pipes can be detected. I also told him that I had seen such a device working during other work in our house and that it did work. We will be charged for the entire repair of the water pipe. Is this the usual procedure and does the entire risk lie with the customer. We did not see any installation conditions discussed or signed in advance.

Lawyer

From your explanation I gather that the installer can be held liable for the defective repair due to the lack of expertise. After all, a certified installer may be expected to carry out the assignment properly and take your instructions into account. It is unreasonable that you should pay for his mistakes and that part of the repair should be his responsibility. Incidentally, this depends on the agreements made. I advise you to point this out to him in writing.