Charged For A Quote

spidystrider

My boiler broke down last weekend. We knew it was on it's last legs as it was eighteen years old and had being playing up for a while.

Got an engineer out who we had dealt with in the past. He had a look at it and said that the gas pump had gone. He said that he would price a new boiler but also get a quote for a gas pump as it was not the ideal time of year for having to replace the boiler.

By the time he had left we decided that the gas pump would just be a waste of money and that we would just go for it and get the boiler put in.

Being sensible we decided to get another quote from another engineer. When both quotes came in, the second one was £300 cheaper, so we decided to go with him.

My husband phoned and told the original engineer that we were going with the second quote, as the price was substantially cheaper, the engineer was not a happy man and was abrupt and unfriendly at this news.

Today he has invoiced us for £50 for a call out and labour. We asked him to come and give us a quote and he did no labour! Can he get away with this?

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Did he inspect your boiler? did he tell you what was wrong with your boiler?

I think if the answer is yes then a call out charge is sufficient as he has done some work in the inspection. Though maybe he shouldve told you about the charge before he came round and looked. Legally im not really sure where you stand on this..

neilmcl

Sounds to me like you called an engineer out to diagnose the fault with you boiler and then asked for a quote while he was there. I think a call-out fee is entirely justified in that case.

spidystrider

Sorry I should have mentioned that when we originally phoned him, we said that the boiler had stopped working again and could he come and give us a quote for a new one. At no point did we ask him to repair it but he took it upon himself to price a gas pump.

halibut2209

If you have no intention of using the 1st person again in the future, I'd ignore him. I've never been charged for a quote, and I take it the 2nd person hasn't charged you for a quote. Sounds like he's being awkward because you didn't choose him

nomoneytoday

The call out was included in the final price.
With nothing else purchased he has spent money and time on your issue.

Maybe a compromise ?

fred7777

spidystrider wrote: »

Sorry I should have mentioned that when we originally phoned him, we said that the boiler had stopped working again and could he come and give us a quote for a new one. At no point did we ask him to repair it but he took it upon himself to price a gas pump.

In that case you are under no obligation to pay him.