Getting money back from cowboy builders

MatyMoo

lisawaters wrote: »

The suggestion to post on the home DIY forum about my boiler encouraged me to whip the cover off and have a poke around with a multimeter (I have some experience in this stuff, but twas years ago).

First prognosis looks like the boiler's OK but the thermostat's toast. I can switch it out of the circuit and get the central heating to run, so long as I remember to switch it off manually. Talk about insulation! This place is like a hay box cooker! I ran the heating for an hour this morning and it was still pretty warm six hours later! Woohoo for a warmer Christmas than last year! Mind you, not having a huge plywood covered hole in the wall is a plus too.

So now looking for a cheapo mechanical thermostat to replace the lush wireless one, cos it will save £80. Maybe if I ask Santa nicely...

So it looks less serious than might have been, which makes a change... But if you see a flaming object careering across the night sky, it might be me still holding the installation manual...

And in true ying and yang style, I understand our esteemed government has halved the amount it pays under the mortgage help-you-out-for-a-while scheme. I also received in the post an 'invitation' to attend an interview at the benefits office next week.

Forward, forward, back, back...

Cheers for the support, guys.

x

Yippee to finding out the boiler isn't terminal and there is a way around it :T

Damn to the government and their cost saving schemes

Damn damn and triple damn to interviews with the benefits office :mad: If only it was the sort of interview that was likely to be someone that wants to pay you thousand for working one day a week in your dream job :rotfl:

MrsMoo2U

lisawaters wrote: »

You want me to keep you informed about my failures too?

Right, young lady: buckle up!

x

buckled and ready for action!

BILLIE

lisawaters wrote: »

You want me to keep you informed about my failures too?

Right, young lady: buckle up!

x

That almost sounds obscene!! Can we watch............:o

lisawaters

BILLIE wrote: »

That almost sounds obscene!! Can we watch............:o

No problem for me but check with cherisong.

x

lisawaters

I've experienced several things over the past couple of years that make me doubt that some things that happen are coincidence. I don't know what they are though.

I used to get lots of work from a guy called Chris who runs an agency. I haven't heard from him for ages. This morning I woke up and thought maybe I'd ring him, suggest I was available for any no-time sensitive work.

At 2pm he rang me with a little project if I wanted it. This after not having spoken for months. And I haven't even thought of ringing him for months either.

I hope to hear all the details of what's needed, tomorrow. I'm apprehensive about undertaking anything, but when it comes at you out of the blue like that, how scared should I be?


Things like this support my growing belief that nothing happens for no reason. When you look at things that way you see how many things actually do turn up when you need them.

Spooky.


x

Keiss_21

Good luck with the work Mike. Spooky or what!!

Life can be pretty amazing sometimes. I have only ever had two formal interviews for jobs in 27 years...mostly things just happen, and I end up having an informal chat and get offerred work!! It happened again last week when someone forwarded me an email about invigilating...not something I would have considered, but it could fit in very well with my slow recovery out of depression. I had thought I could get back into more regular and involved work this year, but my brain and body are having none of it at the moment!!!

We all need time to get back to "normal"...whatever that is!!! As you said: one step forward, one step forward, one step back....then another step forward...little steps!

Good luck x

gallygirl

lisawaters wrote: »

I've experienced several things over the past couple of years that make me doubt that some things that happen are coincidence. I don't know what they are though.

I used to get lots of work from a guy called Chris who runs an agency. I haven't heard from him for ages. This morning I woke up and thought maybe I'd ring him, suggest I was available for any no-time sensitive work.

At 2pm he rang me with a little project if I wanted it. This after not having spoken for months. And I haven't even thought of ringing him for months either.

I hope to hear all the details of what's needed, tomorrow. I'm apprehensive about undertaking anything, but when it comes at you out of the blue like that, how scared should I be?


Things like this support my growing belief that nothing happens for no reason. When you look at things that way you see how many things actually do turn up when you need them.

Spooky.


x

:eek::A The Universe has arrived in Littlehampton :A:eek:. How great for you, good luck & we're all here to virtually sharpen your pencils or whatever

How's the heating?

lisawaters

gallygirl wrote: »

How's the heating?

It comes on every time, switching it manually. Will look for a thermostat over the weekend if a friend (who thinks she's got one in the shed(!)) doesn't find one. Then that's it all sorted! It's amazing. Been temperamental for over a year.

Is there nothing I can't fix with my little toolbox?

(Well, loads actually, but still feeling a bit smug about this particular achievement... and the approx £300 I was estimated as worst case scenario that I've avoided having to borrow.)

Bit chillier round these parts today but switched on for an hour mid morning and the upstairs is still very warm and all my washing's dry!

I know. Don't judge me... I'm still amazed by light switches...

MrsMoo2U

BILLIE wrote: »

That almost sounds obscene!! Can we watch............:o

lisawaters wrote: »

No problem for me but check with cherisong.

x

Hey, stop corrupting me :eek::eek:

MatyMoo

Two great yay's for the the day

Mike's got the heating working whenever he wants it with the possibility of a more permanent fix and far cheaper than anticipated :j

Mike's been offered some work :j

Thrilled about both of them but the second one in particular is especially interesting. You threw out a thought to the Universe that you would like to do some work for Chris and Chris heard it and responded :T How fantastic is that?

I know you are the man for the job and so does Chris, so get those pencils sharpened and the grey matter fired up and creative

......now if we could find one yay a day going forward how great would that be?