Warm Front Grant saved me a fortune!

Elhall_2

Ok, you have a choice. You can:

a) wait it out, and keep phoning

b) ask to change contractors. You can do this, BUT the problem with this choice is that you start from scrach, the new installer sending out a surveyor. I could recommend East Coast Gas Services Ltd, that have an office in Mansfield (Where I used to work) or there are other installers as well. ECGS have a quicker turn around from survey to sending in quote, and have a good time on installing once materials are in. But it could be a bit of a gamble. I also know that ECGS have good installation teams and will work hard in your property.

What did Kurshaws recommend?

margaretclare

Elhall wrote:

I worked for an installer of the Warmfront Grant for 3.5 years. I have not read the whole of the thread as I'm at work, and don't have the time... but I'll fill you in on a few tips and warnings.

1) If your boiler is working then you won't get the grant, no matter how old it is. When the initial inspector comes around he will give you an appointment, leave the boiler switched off that day and tell him it works only some of the time. If your boiler is old do the same thing with the installers survey. The installers get nothing for doing a survey unless they can find something wrong with the boiler. If it's an old boiler that means changing it, if it's new then at the least a service and a power flush.

3) Boilers are usually changed on a like for like bias. This means that if your boiler doesn't heat the radiators properly now, they might not when the new boiler is in. Boilers can be upgraded but you have to pay the difference, this could cost you a couple of hundred. Don't be affraid to ask the installing company AND Eaga about this.

6) If you are not happy with the service you are getting them complain, ask for the complaint to be escalated. Once it becomes an escallated call all kind of doors are opened.

See my post #49 in this thread - you say that the boiler won't be replaced under this grant scheme if it is working: that's not what we were told. Also that the boiler will be replaced on a 'like for like' basis - again, that's not what we were told by the installer's surveyors. If we had been told categorically that was not the case we could have had the job done by now by a local installer - we're surrounded by them where we live!

I agree - don't accept a poor service, a messy job, left for you to clean up, whatever, just because you 'feel grateful for getting a job done free'. Complain, and not just to the call-centre staff - escalate the complaint up the management chain. My DH is quite capable of going directly to the CEO if he has to, and he's done just that before now!

Margaret

Lady_K

They said they will replace the boiler with a new combination condensing boiler. The one that isnt working is in the loft at the moment and first he was just going to put it back in the same place till I said I wondered if they might have moved it, then he said it wasnt the best place for it really so he looked around the house and said it would be better in the kitchen. I will lose a cupboard or two but I don't mind that it will be better at hand for me to look after downstairs. He did say they wouldnt put the cupboard right that would be up to me they just install the boiler. He did not say if he would be removing the old boiler but I hope they will fill in any holes that are left to the brickwork if they do. He did not mention anything about the make of boiler either I would have liked to know what kind it would be or if my present controls (randle) will be replaced or where they would go if they are. He didnt really say a lot he just did the quote and I had to ask about everything

margaretclare

I think you have every reason to complain, Lady_K. You don't seem to have been told any of the things that I would regard as essential to know, before you allow a team of installers into your house and allow them free rein to do what THEY think, not what you would like!

The guys who came to us agreed with us that the loft is the ideal place to put a boiler, and as you've had one there before I can't see why you can't have another one in the same place. Having the boiler in the kitchen so that you can look after it - it shouldn't need any looking after, they're not like the old-fashioned kind that had to be fed with coke or something! We said we'd get better lighting up there and make sure the floorboards were all in the right place - they said 'don't worry, we'll do all that'. Of course they should 'fill in any holes that they leave' - this comes under 'making good', any job like this should be left tidy, not in a mess for the householder to tidy up - what would happen if you were e.g. in a wheelchair or something and couldn't do all this? They should leave a tidy job behind them.

I wish we could get this job finished because I'd quite like to get the hall re-carpeted before our 5th wedding anniversary on 14th January, we've invited some family members to come, and that will be the last job that needs doing indoors, but I don't want to put down new carpet with installers in and out over the carpet and up and down into the loft.

Margaret

Lady_K

Well the installer did say that even though it would be ok in the loft they may be picked up on it afterwards. Actually he was fine with leaving it in the loft till I mentioned it, well i just said is it staying in the same place and then he just changed his mind completely as I said earlier he started looking round for another place for it. In fact I was unsure about having it put in he kitchen at first so I said well its been in the loft for 18 yrs so it should be ok shouldnt it. Then he said about it being law now having to have a rail built around it so it could be serviced and a proper floor and light. We do have some boards down sufficient to get to the boiler and a light. He also said that by law we should have a loft ladder, I dont have a fixed loft ladder but I keep an extending alluminium ladder which goes through the hatch to the loft. He completely changed his mind and said I couldnt have it in the loft anymore, I found that odd because he had first decided thats where it was going.

If is right what you are saying margaret about them making good I'm sure it would really have been thier responsibility to fit a safety rail, if it was law even more so.

As for maintaining the combi condensing boilers if they are the same as my at present valliant combi boiler they need topping up with water every so often, my daughter has to do that for me at the moment. Unless they work differently now that would still have to be done... I have no clue where the controls are going, apparently I don't get a copy of work to be carried out if it was going in the same place I wouldnt be quite so bothered but its a complete change so I'd like to know. I will ask warmfront about this once they have the quote

margaretclare

Hi Lady_K

The difference possibly is that you don't have a proper loft-ladder. We were lucky. The guy who used to live next door worked in demolition and he came home with one of those, said 'do you want this, it's no use to me'. It was practically new! So a year ago when we were getting the bedroom done (the last room to be done here, hadn't been touched for donkey's years) I wanted the ceiling light moved from in front of the window to a central point, we also had the ceiling re-boarded and skimmed, and the local builder who did this for us also installed the loft-ladder for us. My late husband laid down floorboards and installed a light into the loft 16 years ago, that was because he intended to use the loft for his hobby - model vehicles. The boards have been moved at different times but they're all there, and it's safe to walk on. Not sure about having a safety-rail around the boiler - the young guys didn't mention that, but if it's needed then we'll get it done.

I think you really need someone who knows what they're talking about to come round and have a good look at everything and talk to you, give you time to ask questions etc. The next time we'll be in the Nottingham area will be next June - DH used to live there (on the ring-road) in what he calls a 'previous incarnation' i.e. in his last marriage. We come up to Brackenhurst near Southwell every June. Last weekend we were in and around Derby. DH is not a heating expert but being an engineer he does know what he's talking about and he designed his own heating system years ago when he lived at Ruddington.

Best wishes

Margaret

Lady_K

Well I will ask questions once the quote is through, the survey was really quick so I didnt have time to really ask him much he was in and out within 10 minutes and thats including getting the loft ladder up there.

I just didnt think about it at the time because all I was really bothered about was that he said I was getting a new boiler so I was just relieved but now I'm wondering how it will effect the pipes already there and although the boilers being moved will it still have to go round existing pipes to get where it needs to be etc I don't know if they are taking pipes out to re-route it or just adding more for the hot water to travel through. He said it would be quicker getting to the kitchen but didnt say anything about upstairs so not sure if it will make a big difference to hot water getting to the gas shower and bathroom. I'm worried in case I'll need floorboards taking up again or if the tiled boarding over pipes in my kitchen will have to be pulled off. I'm just starting to worry that although I'll get a new boiler would it have been better to have a rail fitted and loft ladder and have it stay in the loft but he gave me no option in the end.

Once I find out, if I find out, the way they are going to do it once the quote is with warmfront I'm wondering whether I am able to ask for any changes? maybe Elhall might be able to give me some idea on that if possible? Also what happens once the work is completed if anything isnt working properly or goes faulty pretty quickly?

Poppycat

They took my floorboards up Lady_k and changed the pipes aa they wasnt wide enough for new boiler. They also did some electrical work and put in a new isolation switch near the boiler. Boiler is fab it has wireless controller and receive near boiler but its in the wrong place as its in the hallway its warmer there than say my kitchen. Still can not crumble its fab. Hope you success in getting your soon.

Elhall_2

“See my post #49 in this thread - you say that the boiler won't be replaced under this grant scheme if it is working: that's not what we were told. Also that the boiler will be replaced on a 'like for like' basis - again, that's not what we were told by the installer's surveyors. If we had been told categorically that was not the case we could have had the job done by now by a local installer - we're surrounded by them where we live!

I agree - don't accept a poor service, a messy job, left for you to clean up, whatever, just because you 'feel grateful for getting a job done free'. Complain, and not just to the call-centre staff - escalate the complaint up the management chain. My DH is quite capable of going directly to the CEO if he has to, and he's done just that before now!

Margaret”

Ok, if your boiler was working it should never have gone through to the installers, you said that the installers have been out? What did they recommend? Once an installer has come out they usually find something to be done to the property. This helps you (as you get a new system) and them as they get paid if they do nothing. Phone and ask what the installers are recommending. Like-for like, again, is the usual way of processing a grant. However, under Eaga, it is possible to upgrade your system. This is at your cost, however. Don’t start complaining straight away. Most installers will be happy to help you, if you don’t get the answers to their questions then phone Eaga. Only start complaining when you need to, don’t start complaining too early.

“They said they will replace the boiler with a new combination condensing boiler. The one that isnt working is in the loft at the moment and first he was just going to put it back in the same place till I said I wondered if they might have moved it, then he said it wasnt the best place for it really so he looked around the house and said it would be better in the kitchen. I will lose a cupboard or two but I don't mind that it will be better at hand for me to look after downstairs. He did say they wouldnt put the cupboard right that would be up to me they just install the boiler. He did not say if he would be removing the old boiler but I hope they will fill in any holes that are left to the brickwork if they do. He did not mention anything about the make of boiler either I would have liked to know what kind it would be or if my present controls (randle) will be replaced or where they would go if they are. He didnt really say a lot he just did the quote and I had to ask about everything
________________________________________
Thanx
Lady_K “

There are a number of models on the market. Phone and ask the installers what they are ordering and they should tell you. The old boiler should be removed and all holes made good, but they won’t do decoration, only fill and level the holes to a state where you can decorate if you wish.
The loft is not ideal for a boiler, but under the scheme they do try and replace the boiler in the same place as it cuts cost. The kitchen is the best place for a boiler to be fitted, and they are not obligated to put your cupboard back up. You will have to take down or clear any areas that the surveyor has asked you to. If you don’t the installers may not be able to carry out the work on the day that they have said and you will have to be re-booked.
New controls should also be installed. They are pretty easy to understand and to be honest once they are set you shouldn’t have to mess with them at all.

“I think you have every reason to complain, Lady_K. You don't seem to have been told any of the things that I would regard as essential to know, before you allow a team of installers into your house and allow them free rein to do what THEY think, not what you would like!

Margaret”

Hold your horses. She said that they had originally agreed to put it back into the loft, but there are other consideration before you start complaining straight away. For a boiler to go in the loft there has to be stairs or a permanent ladder, the floor has to be boarded out, a rail in place around the opening of the loft and permanent lighting has to go in. There are also legal gas regulations to think about.
If they have said that they can, then they will. But it might put the grant up, this means that there may end in a customer contrition.
Ask questions before you start complaining, please.

He said it would be quicker getting to the kitchen but didnt say anything about upstairs so not sure if it will make a big difference to hot water getting to the gas shower and bathroom. I'm worried in case I'll need floorboards taking up again or if the tiled boarding over pipes in my kitchen will have to be pulled off. I'm just starting to worry that although I'll get a new boiler would it have been better to have a rail fitted and loft ladder and have it stay in the loft but he gave me no option in the end.

Once I find out, if I find out, the way they are going to do it once the quote is with warmfront I'm wondering whether I am able to ask for any changes? maybe Elhall might be able to give me some idea on that if possible? Also what happens once the work is completed if anything isnt working properly or goes faulty pretty quickly?
________________________________________
Thanx
Lady_K

If you are unsure about anything then phone and ask as soon as possible. It is far easier and quicker to make any changes now than later. I assume that you had a combi in the loft? In which case it shouldn’t effect your shower at all, the modern pumps are very good and only need ‘help’ if they have to pump hot water up 3 floors or more.
It is the norm to pull up floorboards, but they will put them back. If you are not happy then tell the inspector that will come around afterwards. Also keep an eye on what installers are doing through the day, don’t feel that you have to leave them alone.

Let me know if I can help more. But ask questions, and don't stop asking until you understand. Before the installers actually get out their tools ask them to show you exactly what they will be doing. Don't let them even start until you are happy.

E

Lady_K

Thankyou Elhall

I will wait the 2 weeks then ring warmfront to see if they have recieved the quote like they suggested on Friday and if they have I will ask if they know the kind of boiler is being fitted from that. If I need to know anything else I'll call the installers seeing as the quote will have been done and they will have all the info

The surveyor did not say I had to remove the cupboards myself but that prob is because he didn't know exactly how many have to be removed as he wasnt sure how far the flu has to be from the window near it. He said only the installers would decide that so I'm pressuming they will do it on the day

Its not the floorboards I'm so bothered about its the carpets some are nailed down and will get wrecked by taking them up but I guess if it has to be done it does. Hopefully not too much will be disrupted there is a couple of long pipes right from the gas box to the roof at the moment on the outside wall.

What happens if anything is wrong after installation? is oit covered by any guarantee?