off the top of my head:

"Am I in a position to expect new for old replacement"
No. It'll be damages for the loss you've suffered, so the value of the damaged items. ie, the cost of replacing the particular model TV on a like-for-like basis etc. If something is no longer available, it'll be the cost of the closest alternative (or if the amp had some special feature that meant you'd need that particular one again, the cost of buying it second hand, if being discontinued makes it more valuable).

"are the builders liable? "
Not enough information. It may be that it's the developers you'd go after as it's their project ultimately (and they'd go after the builder themselves), but go either for the deepest pockets or the easiest target. That feels like the builder tbh given the admission of liability, but if you get stonewalled then I'd be inclined to involve the developer too.

"Could I take them to small claims court for damages?"
Ultimately yes if they don't cough up an amount that covers your losses. How much do you think it'll come to? Have they offered a figure approaching that?

If you haven't already, itemise and photograph everything that has been damaged and start collating (and keeping evidence of) the costs of replacing them like-for-like so that you can present the bill/claim to the builders.

Then present bill to the builders and see how far you get with it.

Get hold of the builders' insurers (in case the insurers handle claims directly, as they may be ok to deal with) but also details of the developer and their insurers for good measure. Depending on size of the building company and how much damage they caused, they might just be paying the costs themselves given policy excesses etc.

As posted below, you'll need to alert your landlord (as it sounds like there may be water damage to the property itself, eg that ceiling) - but keep quiet to him/her about not having your own contents insurance in place, as I'd be surprised if you're not in breach of your tenancy agreement by not having it.

And finally, get contents insurance!

Posted By: CWC on May 23rd 2016 at 23:08:23

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