Noisy BT line = modem dropout

About 3 months ago we had our lounge walls replastered. During the course of the work, the plasterer's mate loosened all switches/sockets/phone socket (NTE5) for the plastering to take place at these places.

All seemed well, until the last month. Now we get a lot of noise on the line when making calls, and the ADSL connection drops at random. Sometimes it's ok for an hour or more, other times the ADSL connection will drop 4 or 5 times in about 15 minutes.

I ran through some basis checks (with/without microfilter+modem, different phone, different cable, NTE5 test socket as per the BT website) but none of these has eliminated the noise. I can only guess that the socket got damaged during the plastering.

I'm concerned that BT are going to charge me a small fortune to fix the socket, even though any damage that may have been caused was out of my control. Please can anyone offer any advice on how to proceed?

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any damage that may have been caused was out of my control

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sounds to me like it was entirely under your control, or can I come round and break things in your house at will as well

If you have audible noise on the line report it as a fault to 151, many things get fixed for free but as your agents may have damaged something there is a small risk of a charge being levied.

At the back of the NTE5 there are two wires coming in and connecting, you could take a peek and see if they're OK. The problem may be a coincidental one outside your property.

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I'm concerned that BT are going to charge me a small fortune to fix the socket, even though any damage that may have been caused was out of my control.

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What, the plasterer forced his way into your house, and did the wall despite your complaints? Amazing.

Your plasterer will have public liability insurance or similar and so if BT bill you for a fault caused during plastering you can claim on him/her.

If you can prove that it was the plasterer's actions that caused the problems, which would be very difficult.

All the OP needs to do is phone 151 and act dumb. "Wow, was it the replastering that caused the fault, BT Man ? Well, I never". Not likley to be charged.

Thank you for the sensible replies.

As for the sarcastic replies, no, the situation was not under my control. Do you sit on the shoulder of every tradesman who works in your home and monitor every single thing they do? Does that happen to you in your workplace? I doubt it very much.

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As for the sarcastic replies, no, the situation was not under my control. Do you sit on the shoulder of every tradesman who works in your home and monitor every single thing they do?

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Whether or not you sit on the shoulder of the tradesman, you choose to have the work done or not. You are responsible to the telecomms provider for their plant and you are responsible in law for the effect of the acts of a tradesman doing work for you.. It really does come across as somewhat pathetic to suggest that you should not have to pay BT for damage caused by your plastering works. As someone suggested, you may have a claim against the plasterer, but it is you who must settle with BT. If you don't think the point is sensible that's fine.