in middle of having gas boiler fitted but too big!

soolin

Long story but would welcome any advice.

Our existing boiler was getting rather old so while we had the money we asked BG to quote to install a ne wone. Got a quote paid a deposit but when engineer turned up to survey the area he said it wouldn't fit. Salesman came back sold me a second one, same thing happened. The engineer suggested a third one, a special order and told me it was my only choice.

I asked usual questions about size etc, was told this was a larger boiler but would fit under my current work top with about 5cms jutting out to where I currently have a small table and chairs for breakfast. I wasn't that happy that this encrouched on the seating area, but engineer said it was only 5 cms or so and my table and chairs would still fit but it would just be a bit tight.

Fitter is here now, he has completely destroyed old boiler taking it out, which I assume to be normal, but called me in to show me that the new boiler is massive, and he was concerned. Instead of the 5cms I was told this stuck out, it is nearer 10 inches and means that the table fits, but I can't have any stalls as there is physically no room to sit at the table.

I am furious, installer is unhappy as he is wasting time, old boiler can't be refitted and I am waiting for a manager to come from BG to sort something out.

I have been told on the phone that this is the only boiler BG does that will fit and there is no other boiler in the country that will fit. If I don't have this then they will basically walk away and leave me with no water and no gas and a big hole in the back wall.

OH who is away suggests I just play the dumb blonde and tell them to put the old boiler back..and leave them to sort out how they can sort this mess..what shall I do?

Soo

Ken68

A case for compensation and a refund of deposit.
In the meantime, get an independent installer in.
Looks to me like BG are trying to sell you something they have in stock, rather than get the proper thing.

soolin

Senior fitter has arrived and has agreed boiler is quite big but says basically they are stuck as the old boiler cannot be replaced and there is nothing else on the market that will do, so either they leave me with nothing or they fit new boiler.

I have had senior bods on the phone all insisting they can't help me, but I believe they realise they are at fault as they asked me to confirm the sizes of the boiler on the stuff I signed, and there is nothing at all written down. The surveryor told senior fitter that he told me this was bigger and that my table and bar stalls would be tight, but senior fitter agrees that there is a big difference between 'tight' and not fitting at all.

They are sending someone else down, my road has end to end BG vans. I am feeling quite vulnerable as I am here all alone and more and more BG people are arriving. They are all having a conference outside at the moment.

Soo

Rikki

I had problems with a gas fire bg fitted. In the end I made them remove it and make good the work as before.

Stand your ground. Their engineer tried to miss sell you 2 wrong boilers already. Mistake confirmed by their surveyor. The 3rd is just not going to work. You do not accept it and you wish everthing to be replaced as it was. If they have damaged the original boiler during its removal its not your fault. They must correct it.

soolin

They are prepared to walk away and leave me as they say gas regulations mean they cannot install a second hand appliance (the old boiler) .

I'm losing this one..and I'm incredibly unhappy.

Soo

spiller5

Whatever you do just DO NOT accept this boiler as acceptable, thats a disgrace to have it sticking out that far. They might say there is "nothing" out there that will fit, they are just having a laugh. But the moment you say "oh ok" they will install it and you will be stuck forever. I had a similar problem with my mums kitchen they sold her parts that would just not fit and they kept on telling us that they had nothing else. Eventually (after about 2 hours of arguing) they agreed a solution which could have been reached sooner if they used their heads. We also got some compensation out of it because they were clearly at fault. So just keep your head and if you can get someone else round, a friend, neighbour, just so you have someone else as a witness

Rikki

The boiler they want to fit is too big. What alternative boiler can the offer you?

Give me the dimentions and I will have alook for you.

soolin

The boiler is floor standing and sits below a window and under a worktop. The window is apparently a problem as the ledge is lower than on new houses (mine is 1920s).

The only boiler that will fit is a mexico which is 21 inches deep (that's the bit that sticks out and causes the problems), 17.5 wide and 33 inches tall.

This is the third boiler they measured up for as the previous two would have been unsuitable due to our windows being only 36 1/2 inchs from the ground.

At th emoment I am awaiting head office representation as they appear to be agreeing that boiler is unsuitable but want to instal it at no prejudice and let us try and solve the problem later..at which point they agree to take it back.

Soo

upallnight

Have a look at this site :

http://www.inspiredheating.co.uk/acatalog/Worcester_Greenstar_CDi_Combi_Boilers.html

The boilers here have the dimensions 29.5" H , 17.5" W , 14" D.
The flue does stick out of the top however.
This is the firm I got the original details from :
http://www.inspiredheating.co.uk/cgi-bin/ss000001.pl?SS=small+boilers&PR=-1&TB=A&SHOP=&ACTION.x=32&ACTION.y=13

No connection - just a Google search.
What you need to do straight away is phone your local trading standards people and ask them to intervene - and watch the gas man's reaction when you tell him ! The local press is a good idea too , they love this sort of thing.
You deserve a lot of compensation for distress , inconvenience etc. If you have a home insurance policy look up the free legal advice number - if you have it. Pile it on - they know they're in the wrong , hence all the suits showing up at your place. Good luck.

Rikki

I wouldn't agree to let them fit it. Once its fitted you will become less of a priority and god knows the problems you could have getting it changed.

Deal with the chap from head office. Explain previous mistakes and say its been a comedy of errors from start to finish. You want it sorting out to your satisfaction not theirs. You are not happy and you are finding the whole thing quite traumatic. You feel you are being victimised and intimidated especially as your husband is away. Lay it on (which I doubt) if you have to.

Take pictures and mention 'WATCHDOG'?:D

Fingers crossed.

upallnight

Update , better search page :

http://www.inspiredheating.co.uk/acatalog/CONDENSING_COMBI_BOILERS.html

where you'll find these even smaller boilers from Ariston :

http://www.inspiredheating.co.uk/acatalog/Ariston_Micro_Genus_HE_Condensing_Combi_Boilers.html

Don't know if heat output is adequate for your needs etc...
It looks like BG is trying to sell you a boiler that is a nice little earner for them, stand your ground and let it blowback at them.