[mandy]

I have been a self employed cleaner for 6 years breaking the odd thing but nothing major ... Until now! I was moving a flat screan tv to wash under it when the top just snapped off, I managed to remove it & electrically it was fine it just needed a new part to fix it back onto its stand. Today I went to the house & the man I cleaned for informed me laughing that I owe him 3 cleans for free as the TV cost £65 to mend, I thought he was joking until he said it again as I left.
So should I pay up happily? What do you all do in this situation or what would you do?
Thanks in advance

[TomCrowther]

Pay it. How would you react if it was your telly?

[Paul Simpson]

Had the odd small breakage over the years, vase & ornament that I remember.
Always offered to pay or reduce the bill. Thats not to say they expect it.....sometimes just the gesture goes along way.

[Ian Rochester]

Of course you should pay, you broke it.

[Kev Martin]

I think you are lucky he is not trying for a whole new TV.  In fact he is being very reasonable as customers go! I assume you have liability insurance?

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd

[Neil Jones]

Pay it, like you've just said its three cleans, just write it off to keep the customer in the long term. He will appreciate that more and is more likely to refer you as well.

[BDCS]

I'd happily pay it as the other option would be to claim on your PL which would cost more in the long run. Just politely ask for the receipt and put it through your books. I had a ladder blow over and mutilate the MD's car - that was a PL claim and loads of grief, we all have incidents and yours was a very minor one - you broke it so you should pay

[G O Cleaning]

pay it.. pay it .. pay it .. Well surely it depends on your contract if you have one ? ? Did the customer ask you to move the TV or did you decide to move it ? Are you covered to move electrical items ? Or should the customer move these items?
You need to cover this with your contract to rule out any future claims / problems. If you dont have a contract come to an agreement with this customer, discuss it and resolve it. Good luck.

[B Bailey]

You should have offered straight away, this way shows your integrity and he would probably have declined payment.

[mandy]

Well that's telling me! He did say after it broke it must have been weak already. I will pay for it anyway & yes I do have insurance.
My other worry with this house is it is badly maintained like In the bathroom the toilet seat is loose the shower curtain rail is also loose, it fell off once but I put it back up no problems, also a cupboard door fell off the following time I cleaned after the TV! I put it back on no problem but it's going to be a very expensive job if I have to keep paying for breakages! (By the way no I don't break a lot of things in my houses)  Any suggestions?
Thank you

[Neil Jones]

Point them out to him. Anything I think will cause a problem on survey or once cleaning is underway, whether it be cleaning, carpets, hard floor I always point out.
Tell him that it's difficult to clean without risk of breakage so you will either have to skip cleaning near or on it or be as careful as you can but can't be liable for damage. He will understand.