Warm Front Grant saved me a fortune!

Lady_K

Oh heck thats cheery news! I wonder if the waits have got longer since they changed from powergen to whoever it is now.

I rang the Kershaws the installers back again after 2pm like the lady told me to and had to wait again about 10 - 15 minutes for them just to actually answer the phone, it took the same amount if time this morning too. They have 2 numbers 1 free and 1 geo I rang them both but it takes just as long for them to answer on both lines. The lady put me through to the contract manager, it was an answer phone saying he wasnt in and either call back or leave a number, I left my number and a short message. He hasnt rang back as yet but he may do tomorrow.

I know some people on here have had really good installers and they have praised them highly but bit by bit I'm thinking the ones I have really are not that good, they really are not going about things very professionally. I cant imagine them coming out too quickly if something goes wrong in the first year as they are so far away. I don't understand why warmfront give the jobs to companies that are such a long way away. I'm going to ask warmfront that next time I have to ring them I'll tell them I have concerns if the boiler broke down in the first year I could wait weeks again for them to come and fix it, it doesnt make sense when there are warmfront installers close to me.

Elhall_2

The time lines have got shorter to be honest, so you are better off with Eaga. Also Eaga offered £2700 to everybody, under Powergen the grant differed on what you could have and how much was contributed.

There are guidelines as to how quickly they have to respond, but I agree, I would not be happy with the level of surface you are recieving.

Don't be affraid to start complaining early. We had people complaining before we'd even gone out to them because they assumed to was an "emergancy" grant, not understanding the timelines.

I'll say again. You CAN transfer to a different installer, but you do have to start from scratch, starting with a survey. Depending on how quickly the next installers are you may be better, you may end up waiting (in thoery) another couple of weeks on what you would. You have to weigh that agains t the piece of mind of a "better" or easier to contact installer.

Ultimately it's your choice. There are Pro's and Con's.

Have you heard anything else? and good luck with your install.

Richard_S

Good afternoon,

My parents who are in their seventies and struggling to manage financially have recently been informed that their gas boiler is beyond economic repair. They have contacted Warm Front and been told that nothing can be done until April 2007, is this usual or have my parents been inaccurately informed?

Any comments would be gratefully appreciated.

Richard

Elhall_2

It is possible depending on what the government are doing. I haven't heard of that happening before though. Do they have heating at the moment, has the boiler failed entirely?

Bare in mind, as War of Terror continues they have to finiance it somehow, and these types of grants suffer for it.

Where do your grand parents live? My advise would be to contact a company you know is on the scheme and ask for a referal, that'll get them on the books and the installer will/should chase it for you.

Lady_K

Hi

I havent heard anything yet and the contract manager has still not returned the message I left on his answerphone. I will give it till next Friday to see if the installers have sent them the quote to warmfront yet and take it from there. I'm just not thinking about it being installed before christmas now I'm thinking it will be spring like margaretclare has said. At the moment I didnt want to rush into getting the intallers changed as I was going to see what the quote was and then ask them questions that is if anyone actually wants to answer the phone or ring back but I am concerned about them not coming out after installation if anything is wrong

My wallpaper on the stairs landing and hall walls and ceiling is bubbling up and peeling off now its so wet with damp it smells like wallpapering but there is no point me worrying about it too much as it wont make it go any faster

Elhall_2

Just remember that if you end up changing this is all wasted time... I would not be as leanient if our roles were different.

Remember that Eaga are there to help, and if you are not getting calls back from the installer you can talk/complain to them. Under the scheme (I believe) the installer should have a free phone and free post address. There are guidelines to acceptable methods of contact, if you can't talk to them you can't ask your (very resonable) questions and concerns.

Lady_K

Well I just decided to ring them and warmfront said they have not recieved the quote yet but I should feel free to call the installers. I told them that the installers had not returned my messages but the man didnt say anything about that. I asked about afterwards if anything goes wrong and warmfront said after installation I go on thier 2 year emergency cover and that would be attended by any installer in uk with them not just kershaws so not to worry about that and also the cover includes 2 yearly services so that is very good.

I called kershaws again and got same dont really care attitude and no the quote hasnt even started to be processed. I again asked when it would be done and she said probably in the next 2 weeks she told me that 2 weeks ago so they probably say that answer as standard

Elhall_2

You have no heating right?

Start logging phone calls, questions and answers. Take names, no one really likes giving their name when the suspect a complaint is incoming. Find out who you local counciler is, if/when you complaint (and do it in writting) include them in it. You'll be suprised how fast things get done if they thing the counciller or watchdog are going to be involved.

If/when you talk to Warmfront again ask to escalate the call. The customer responce team are really very good (I dealt with them a lot as my job was complaints) and they have a lot of power to get things done.

Lamba

Yes some people that fitted my radiators and boiler need to still do some work (earthing the boiler etc) and the Warm Font Team said we will get them to do it and if they don't contact you tll us and we'll get back on em.

Lady_K

Thanx I will do that. No I don't have heating at all just an elec fire and I bought a small halogen heater that I keep taking to different rooms, only thing is compared to other people I havent been waiting that long there must be other people in the same possition as me