New Central Heating installed

Ratchy

Hi Everyone, first time post, so sorry if I make any mistakes!

We had central heating installed into our apartment last week. We were assured by the engineers that it was working when they left of Friday. Since Friday evening, it hasn't worked properly ( i.e 1 out of 10 times) and now refuses to work at all, essentially we have no heating or hot water (brrrr). We also noticed that there were large holes under our carpet and that other building work had not been re-instated as promised.
I contacted them on Monday morning, and was told an engineer would be out on Wednesday to look at it. Tuesday morning an engineer arrived, to say the boiler was broken, BUT it wasn't their responsibility, it was the manufacturers. They then contacted me later, to tell me that an engineer from BAXI would be out next Tuesday! That will be 11 days without heating
!
We still haven't paid them * we have to do so within 7 days of the work being completed! What rights do I have?
Not too sure whether special rules apply to services such as heating etc?
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks

bruce2110

hello and welcome to MSE!!

The first point i would make is DO NOT PAY THEM UNTILL YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH THE WORK.

Being a plumber my self, i would not expect payment for work that is not done, or not working, leaking etc...

i would ask for a boss/contracts manager to come round, then show them all the works that have not been completed and just ask (nicely to start with) them to rectify all the out standing works before making any payments.

If you get no joy and they start getting heavy!! back up your request in writing making it clear you will pay them once they have put the work right.

If you still get no joy, then contact your local trading standards, explain the situation and see what they say.

Most decent firms will put the works right before it gets that far, but stick to your guns, and insist they sort any problems before you make any payments

hope that helps!!

Bruce2110

Ratchy

Thanks Bruce2110!
I definatly won't pay them until the work is completed!
Any ideas what rights I have regarding this matter though? Surely leaving someone without heating is different from a faulty dvd player etc?
Wondering whether to get trading standards involved straight away, as they don't seem to be that bothered about getting payed.
Any ideas?


ratchy

bruce2110

hiya! I notice from your o.p. that you have an engineer from baxi comming out to your boiler, if might be a good idea to ask that engineer(if they seem ok) to see if the installation is genrally ok and the boiler was installed correctly etc...

you could also ring baxi up and explain your situation and see if you get them to attended sooner its worth a try...

if still no joy, check your home contents insurance to see if you have any breakdown cover with them ????

as far as your consumer rights go(i'm not expert and there are people on other boards who could give a definite answer i'm sure), you can expect work to be completed to a satisfactory level and in good working order before making any payments, and yes not quite the same as a dvd player but the basic principle remains...

you could always contact trading standards anyway and seek there advice if you feel the installing company are messing you around!!

hth

Bruce2110