Here is a typical report showing the amount of detail that is provided:

1. This report is provided on behalf of the National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers (N.I.C.F.). The N.I.C.F. is the premier body representing those who are engaged in the carpet fitting and floorlaying profession. The N.I.C.F seeks to establish and maintain the highest standards of trade practice and it has been a contributing party to the drafting of BS 5325 - 1996, the British Standards Code of Practice for the Installation of Textile Floorcoverings. The N.I.C.F. has produced the only nationally accepted training manual for carpet fitting and it is also negotiating with the accreditation bodies on the drafting of National Vocational Qualifications (N.V.Q.s) for carpet and floorlaying.
2. This report has been compiled by Christopher John Glanville of April Ridge, Woods Road, Caversham, Reading RG4 0NA. I am 52 years of age and I have worked in the carpet and floorcoverings fitting trade for 34 years. I have been a Master Carpet Fitter for 25 years and for the last 20 years, I have been the National Assessor for the N.I.C.F.). I have provided floorcoverings consultancy and arbitration services to major retailers, manufacturers, cleaning companies, insurance companies, solicitors, trading standards and Citizen s Advice bureau. I have also provided training and lecture services in both the United Kingdom as well as Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, France, United States, Australia and Zimbabwe.
3. I have studied the information supplied by the client (Nottingham), concerning carpets supplied and fitted by his company at T.G.F. public house, Stamford. Since the fitting, approximately five years ago, the clients have been approached by their customer who has made complaint about the carpets. The Client has requested an independent survey to be undertaken by the N.I.C.F.
4. I carried out a site inspection of the carpets in question on 2nd January 1997. Present were the contractor and the landlord of the public house. My observations are as follows:
5. The floorcoverings in question are Stoddards 36 Axminster carpet of various quality levels, laid on felt underlay and gripper. The carpet was fitted to two bars, a restaurant and communal areas. Most seams were machine sewn although there were some heat-seamed areas.
6. Shortly after the carpet had been laid, some five years ago, the landlord had complained about the quality of the seams, especially in the main bar area. The Contractor carried out corrective work on these seams but, as far as the landlord is concerned, the problem remains. The landlord and the contractor have been unable to agree on a satisfactory resolution to the dispute.
7. Upon carrying out my inspection, I was advised by the landlord that the carpets have only been cleaned by means of granulated powder, i.e. host or similar system of cleaning, and that they have not been wet cleaned. Upon examination, I could find no evidence to support this information.
8. During the course of my inspection, I noted that the underlay and gripper were fitted to a reasonable standard. The fitting of the carpet appeared to have been well planned, apart from a cross-join situated in front of the main bar (right hand side from the bar). No problems were observed in the second bar area. However, several seams in the main traffic areas were very obvious. Although the selvedge of the carpet was mostly together, the carpet pile had worn away.
9. In conclusion, I would observe that the fitting of the carpets has largely been carried out to an acceptable standard. The wear and tear that I observed, particularly with regard to the rather obvious seams, appears to be consistent with the high traffic levels that must be expected in an installation of this kind. Furthermore, the condition of the carpet and the seams appears to be consistent with shrinkage, which has been caused by over-wetting, either by carpet cleaning or spillage. This conclusion contradicts the advice which I was given by the landlord regarding cleaning methods.
10. The above conclusion notwithstanding, I must also take into account that the landlord originally made complaint to the contractor about the seams soon after the installation of the carpets, and the contractor have attended on several occasions to carry out corrective works to the seams. Furthermore, I must record that the planning of the carpet fitting was not well-executed in the main bar area and the presence of a cross-seam at this point is unacceptable. For this reason, I would conclude that the quality of the carpet has been compromised and I would therefore suggest that fair and reasonable compensation is offered on the following basis:

Posted @ 2006:10 21  

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