Cold calling - house insulation work!!

The_FD

We have just had a chap from a company called Miller Pattison offering to do loft insulation for £199 and/or wall cavity insulation for £149 round at the door, cold selling. He claims that 25 houses in our street have signed up with him - which is about 1/2 of the total houses in our street.

He claims there are large grants available from the government, this is the reason he can do it so cheap.

We live in a house built in 1994, 5 bedrooms, detached (so quite large) red brick built. It is not a cold house - bills are not excessive. £50 per month for gas & £50 for electricity, but my wife is at home all day as we have 2 young children with 3rd on way, so in winter the house needed heated and electricity being used most of the day.

1st of all - is this a legitamit company? or is it a scan? - We must decide by Monday!!!

2nd - if all above board - would it be worth doing?

Thanks

Lube

http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/housing/energy.htm

http://www.complaintsboard.com/bycompany/miller-pattison-a207571.html

The_FD

Lube wrote: »

http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/housing/energy.htm

I'm up in Edinburgh!

It just seems a bit suss - cold calling, must decide before Monday!!!

The_FD

Lube wrote: »

http://www.complaintsboard.com/bycompany/miller-pattison-a207571.html

Thanks for that!

Plushchris

I wouldnt get anyone to do work that has given a deadline for you to make a decision.

I also wouldnt get anyone to do that sort of work from a cold call either personally.

Joyful

I also had someone calling but he asked if I'd claimed my free grant for insulation. I never let him get any further as assumed it was a Energy supplier salesperson. I would recommend checking on your suppliers website for cheap insulation. I am also in Edinburgh. I certainly wouldn't work to a deadline though.

ManAtHome

There have been a few threads about MP etc - here's one I prepared earlier... http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1803123 (if you search for Pattison turns up quite a few).

Looks like there has been a fair bit of funding by central/local govt to improve insulation, so generally legit, but surprised you haven't had a flyer from the council or energy supplier. In Kirklees (West Yorkshire), initial contact was from the council and work carried out by Miller Pattison.

I've no complaints with them, but know some people who've needed 'snagging' visits, so could depend on the gang who do the job (there were loads of MP lorries around at the time, so presumably loads of installation gangs...).

sleepless_saver

The_FD wrote: »

I'm up in Edinburgh!

It just seems a bit suss - cold calling, must decide before Monday!!!

If you live in Craigentinny or Duddingston wards in Edinburgh there is a genuine government project on at the moment, but the contractor for that is EAGA not Miller Pattison, and you would have had both a flyer and someone round with a questionnaire first.

It's very likely that some firms are trying to piggyback on that pilot by implying they are part of it.

Don't feel pressured to make a decision, setting deadlines like this is a classic sales technique.

The_FD

sleepless_saver wrote: »

If you live in Craigentinny or Duddingston wards in Edinburgh there is a genuine government project on at the moment, but the contractor for that is EAGA not Miller Pattison, and you would have had both a flyer and someone round with a questionnaire first.

It's very likely that some firms are trying to piggyback on that pilot by implying they are part of it.

Don't feel pressured to make a decision, setting deadlines like this is a classic sales technique.

I certainly do not feel pressurised. I have told him to take a hike. He claims that Miller Pattison are doing the work on behalf of the local government. (I am in Fairmilehead in Edinburgh)

GetRealBabe

Hi

People do who work on behalf of the council do not just turn up at your door. An appointment would have been made. Sounds really dodgy to me.

Check your council website for insulation grants.

GRB

shegar

Yes we had miller pattinson do our loft insulation , very good job done , clean workers and yes they do work for government , :T