Anyone used Miller Pattison

Colwyn_Comet

We had visit in Stockport approx. 4wks ago - we decided to take them up on it and are due next week. We don't receive benefits of any kind but we & the property qualify for grant, they do all the paperwork. We've been quoted £199 after grant, no money has changed hands yet, it's payable on completion of work.
Our property is circa 25yrs old, a bungalow with an awkward loft space and only 2ins of insulation so expecting to see/feel an improvement.

Watch this space.......

clar1873

I looked for a cavity wall insulation supplier via the Energy Saving Trust web site in December 2010. Miller Pattison quoted £145 which I thought was very reasonable. A surveyor called at the house and signed both me and my dad (who lives on same street) up for the installation. The fitters arrived and immediately it was apparent that there was a problem. They said that there was insufficient room on the path at the side of my house for access with a ladder. They then said that normally this wouldnt be a problem, but they were expecting a visit from a health and safety official the same day, in connection with a contract that Miller Pattison are bidding for with one of the major energy suppliers. They offered to do my dads house first whilst the health and safety people were observing and then call back and do mine later in the day !!. It suggested to me that they were intending cutting corners and I began to wonder what quality of work would be carried out. In the event, they told my dad the same, ie: not enough access. I wasnt prepared to allow the work to be done if it was unsafe.
The inital survey of both houses said access was sufficient and scaffolding wasnt required. The two fitters who turned up were very rude about the capabilities of their own surveying staff, saying they were 'idiots' and didnt know what they were doing.
Its obvious to me that the health and safety visit was influencing their decision not to do the installation on both properties. Having booked the day off work to take pictures down, move cars around and ensure access to Miller Pattison staff, Im not best pleased how this went. Needless to say, im not having them back to do the work. I cant recommend Miller Pattison based on this experience.

marmitepotato

I had work done by them and was very happy with the result. I have really noticed how much warmer it is in my house now and the heating doesnt flick on half as often as it used to.

mccavity

had this done 2005 DISASTER since then been updating house every time a cavity has been exposed there is a lack of insullation material
they have been back twice so 3 ATTEMPTS each time leaving the house like a fire fight had occured Now want a 4th try but wont agree to repair to repair to restitution of new external decor
I WOULD NEVER HAVE USED THIS COMPANY HAD I BEEN AWARE OF THE RECORDED PROBLEMS I AND OTHERS WHO HAVE POSTED ELSE WHERE HAVE EXPERIENCED
POOR INSTALATION CAN CAUSE DAMP PENETRATION

Gizmosmum_2

mccavity wrote: »

had this done 2005 DISASTER since then been updating house every time a cavity has been exposed there is a lack of insullation material
they have been back twice so 3 ATTEMPTS each time leaving the house like a fire fight had occured Now want a 4th try but wont agree to repair to repair to restitution of new external decor
I WOULD NEVER HAVE USED THIS COMPANY HAD I BEEN AWARE OF THE RECORDED PROBLEMS I AND OTHERS WHO HAVE POSTED ELSE WHERE HAVE EXPERIENCED
POOR INSTALATION CAN CAUSE DAMP PENETRATION

Have you taken this up with Ciga? Like many large companies the quality of work is down to the individual installing and what kind of day they're having! Millers' depots vary from depot to depot some are excellent and some not so good - exactly the same as all of the other big insulation installers. Always good to keep it local if you can and use some of the smaller firms.

Yorkie1

Gizmosmum wrote: »

Have you taken this up with Ciga? Like many large companies the quality of work is down to the individual installing and what kind of day they're having! Millers' depots vary from depot to depot some are excellent and some not so good - exactly the same as all of the other big insulation installers. Always good to keep it local if you can and use some of the smaller firms.

How do you find a reliable local firm?

I have had MP recommended to me by a local friend - she signed up after a canvassing call and was very pleased with the work.

I contacted them (took over 10 attempts on the phone, their system clearly can't deal with many people ringing them as it just cuts you off), and they said a surveyor would ring me within 10 days. That was 2 weeks ago. The thought of trying to get through at repeated cost to me, is daunting.

The only other firm I know of here in N Yorks is Solarwall.

Gizmosmum_2

Yorkie1 wrote: »

How do you find a reliable local firm?

I have had MP recommended to me by a local friend - she signed up after a canvassing call and was very pleased with the work.

I contacted them (took over 10 attempts on the phone, their system clearly can't deal with many people ringing them as it just cuts you off), and they said a surveyor would ring me within 10 days. That was 2 weeks ago. The thought of trying to get through at repeated cost to me, is daunting.

The only other firm I know of here in N Yorks is Solarwall.

Have you tried ringing your local energy saving trust advice centre? They will be able to advise on local installers, you could explain your reticence about using a large national and ask for advice about smaller local firms. Their advice is free and impartial you can get in touch by calling 0800 512012. They'll be happy to help. The other way is to look at the National Insulation Association webiste for other installers in your area, the only problem with this is they charge such a lot for membership sometimes the smaller firms can't afford it.

HTH

Yorkie1

Much appreciated, Gizmosmum. I've had an energy saving trust report on my home so will give them a ring. Wouldn't have occurred to me otherwise.

mk_webman

I just had a very pushy "surveyor" from M-P wanting to survey the house and give me a quote. No card, not willing to come back, saying that I should use them because of the quality of the materials, etc etc. Said I'd ring him later and got onto here and local council website (Milton Keynes) where I found that there's a local scheme which will cost me a lot less than his estimated figure and I get to choose from a list of installers (which will probably include M-P anyway!). It's run by Cocoon. What I particularly objected to was the fact that I would have to sign a quotation acceptance which would bind me to M-P. Completely negates the advice to get several quotes for any work. Also - he told me my 83-year-old neighbour had signed up, which he'd no business to do (tell me, that is!).

Hope I've done the right thing getting a surveyor booked through the local scheme.

keystone

mk_webman wrote: »

What I particularly objected to was the fact that I would have to sign a quotation acceptance which would bind me to M-P.

No it wouldn't - under the Doorstep Selling Regulations 2008 you have a 7 day cooling off period during which you may cancel without penalty - if you signed that is. See HERE

Also - he told me my 83-year-old neighbour had signed up, which he'd no business to do (tell me, that is!).

Probably got confused and/or bullied a bit. Tell them about the DSR as above.

Cheers