Craftsman damages front door - How is he liable?

The OP does not write about that either. It is true that he may not simply offset the claim with the liability. Nevertheless, I consider his claim justified.

The OP does not write about that either. It is true that he is not allowed to simply offset the claim against the liability. Nevertheless, I consider his claim to be justified.

Yes, of course. If the craftsman damaged the door, then he must pay for repair or replacement. I just wonder whether, because of that, the invoice for the craftwork may not be paid at first. That is how I understood the OP, that he/she intends to do that.

Ah, in the second post he mentions that, that's correct. No, as far as I know that is not possible, unless one already has a legally binding judgment. Then it would be possible.

Thank you for the active participation. So can I summarize it like this:

Yes, he has to ensure that the damage is repaired or pay for the repair. But I am not allowed to withhold it; rather, he or his insurance must pay directly or reimburse me separately?

This is how I would see it as a legal layman with what I still remember from my law lectures in my business studies, yes.

What is the scope of the repair? Patch up or new door? Somehow sounds more like the latter. I wouldn’t be very pleased as a craftsman either.