Boiler panic!

firsttimebuyer_99

Hi,

Apologies if this is posted in the wrong place. I'm looking for some advice...we are in the middle (!) of having our boiler swapped to a combi by British Gas. Installer is due to be returning at 8am to finish the work, but we are currently without heating or hot water. Since he left today, the snow has been coming down with a vengeance, and we are concerned that he may not be able to get here in the morning.

Does anyone know what British Gas are like in keeping appointments in adverse weather? If he can't make it, will there be any alternative arranged - I mean, will they send *someone* out to sort out some heating/water for us under the circumstances? We wouldn't be classed as vulnerable, no kids in the house etc.

Bad timing for the boiler installation I think...

Based in Cardiff, by the way...

jackieglasgow

You will hear all sorts of horror stories on here about how bad British Gas are, but different departments organise things differently. Installations is different from the repair side of things, although their engineers sometimes crossover if there's a lot of work on in one area or the other. Best thing to do is call them first thing in the morning and make sure they are coming. The only way they'll cancel you is if they can't physically get there, IMO, after all, you still owe them money, don't you?

firsttimebuyer_99

Thanks for the quick response - you are right about the horror stories...! As you mention in your post, the only situations I can find reference to are repairs where callouts are made, huge delays etc etc. I'm hoping that the fact it's an installation and already booked will work in my favour, yes we do still owe them money so maybe that makes us a priority : )

sindersoot

I agree that there are various stories about British Gas. Personally I have been lucky in that they have always turned up when they said they would. The weather problem however is totally different and if an engineer in a British Gas van cannot reach your property then I very much doubt any alternative arrangements could be made. I would think if the main roads are okay as regards driving conditions then you will be fine but I would also phone first thing in the morning to check. I would think you would definitely be classed as a priority due to having no heating or hot water especially in this weather.

Hope you have some other form of heating:eek:

jackieglasgow

Actually, sindersoot I'd say you're in the majority or else they'd be out of business by now! We Brits prefer complaint to praise, and this forum would be boring if all we did was praise companies all the time!;)

Good luck OP, if all else fails you can go out and build an igloo!

firsttimebuyer_99

Thanks both : ) All we have is a little electric heater - ironically lent to us by the BG installer!!! Igloo sounding like an increasingly good idea...!

jackieglasgow

Come back tomorrow and let us know how you get on.

hansi

firsttimebuyer_99 wrote: »

Hi,

Apologies if this is posted in the wrong place. I'm looking for some advice...we are in the middle (!) of having our boiler swapped to a combi by British Gas. Installer is due to be returning at 8am to finish the work, but we are currently without heating or hot water. Since he left today, the snow has been coming down with a vengeance, and we are concerned that he may not be able to get here in the morning.

Does anyone know what British Gas are like in keeping appointments in adverse weather? If he can't make it, will there be any alternative arranged - I mean, will they send *someone* out to sort out some heating/water for us under the circumstances? We wouldn't be classed as vulnerable, no kids in the house etc.

Bad timing for the boiler installation I think...

Based in Cardiff, by the way...

You should be ok, I'm in Cardiff and it's not snowing that much now. Where in Cardiff are you? May be better or worse in some areas. Hope you didin't pay over the odds. I got a quote from BG for a new boiler and their prices were extortionate.

Swipe

Boil a kettle for hot water and use an electric heater in one room if he doesn't show up. Not that big a deal really. People coped just fine before central heating you know.

hansi

hansi wrote: »

You should be ok, I'm in Cardiff and it's not snowing that much now. Where in Cardiff are you? May be better or worse in some areas. Hope you didin't pay over the odds. I got a quote from BG for a new boiler and their prices were extortionate.

correction, snow is getting worse now!

firsttimebuyer_99

Morning all, thanks for the responses! Well the snow is even worse than we imagined, so he's not going to make it. To be fair, they are trying to find someone more local to us to come and finish it off.

Hansi - we are in Creigiau, just outside Cardiff and it's pretty deep here. Some of the neighbours have managed to get out but the installer is based in Barry and apparantly lives on a hill so can't get out..! Probably paid more than we could have if we had used a local plumber, but afraid we are a bit silly like that and were taking advantage of the interest free deal!

Swipe - yes, that is what we've been doing, am fully aware that we can cope without central heating, but it is more the 'sods law' aspect of the situation - we were not expecting this to happen half way through the installation, and weren't as prepared as we otherwise could have been!