Free insulation-Macrow energy

taffy056

Can I just say that the CERT grant scheme who insulating companies work under is officially ending on the 31/03/12 and the green deal is replacing it in October , what is going to happen in between we are not quite sure even now, but it looks like the cert grant is going to be extended slightly. When the green deal comes in there will not be grants but loans for the work that you pay back through the energy companies (we think?) in the green deal you will pay the full cost of doing the job probably £300-£400 for an average sized loft, so no grant. Also all the cheap deals in the b&qs et al will end as no help will be available to pay for DIY insulation.

If you are unhappy with this company go to the energy saving trust website for other companies .

jaydee21

From doing lots of research about Macrow Energy, it seems that they may be not all what they're cracked up to be. Firstly, they NEVER answer their phone number - calls ALWAYS go to answerphone. They NEVER return calls. They operate from a serviced office on a business park in Cambridge (basically rent-an-office!). The company is actually run from a housing estate by Mr P.W. MacRow (address 46 Cinques Rd, Gamlingway, Sandy, SG19 3NW - google it on google streetview, it's a housing estate!). The landline that is registered with companies house (01951 68271) is incomplete or non-existent (Guess they don't like receiving calls or have something to hide). My conculsion is avoid this company like the plague, they're scammers who prey on the elderly to sign up (they conned their way into my 88 year old dads house - he also suffers from Alzheimers). They didn't even go in the loft to measure up, yet left paperwork saying they had. They also do the same scam with solar panels and list an 0800 number on their website of another company who wishes to have no dealings with them.

If anyone has had problems with them, there is a phone number of one of Mr MacRow's relatives (lives 9 doors down in number 37) - their number is 01767 650 157. I'm sure they'll be delighted to pass on your complaints to Mr MacRow.

Personally Macrow Energy is a prime candidate for BBC Watchdog and not to be trusted with their heavy handed sales methods. Like the saying goes, "there's no such thing as a free lunch" - they're not doing anyone favours, just scamming heating benefit from the Government.

freshair_2

Loads of companies are doing free insulation at the moment, there are caveats.

Best to check with the EST or your local authority, or Trading Standards for a reputable company.

Caveat - normal excludes lofts where more than 60mm is already existing, excess meterage might be applicable if the property is larger than what is deemed to be average, and any extra access equipment.

Sorry to hijack your thread, but there are loads of companies trying to cash in at the moment, who may not necessarily have secure funding. I work in the industry hence the caveat knowledge.

If this post is checked by a moderator, please note that I didn't mention the company I work for although we are Trading Standards registered.

Thank you

Johnny_M_P

I have just had a call from this company. The chap claimed that subject to a simple survey by him we maybe eligible for free insulation. Our house was built 1995 so has cavity wall insulation built in. the losft only has about 2-3 inches or rockwool in very poor condition (the builders made a real hash of fitting it.) We are under 70 and not on any benefits. The chap popped his head thru loft hatch, checked pipes present. I asked him about the extensive wiring in the loft (we have alot of low energy downlighters) he said these would be ok if we fitted the protective cowls that are available beforehand. He also stated that the rafters would be insulated and the two gable end walls. I asked him on at least 3 occasions that ALL the work would be carried out at no charge at all (in the presence of my wife and 18 year old son). He confirmed that there would be no charge. He claimed that the cost would be claimed from Scottish Power, my energy provider. I have checked the Scot Power website and this type of work does seem to be available. I have read thru the terms and conditions several times. the Cancellation regualtions stated in the T & Cs refer to the Cancellation of Contracts made in the Home ... 2008, so presumably we are safe?
This is something we have been meaning to do.
the written contract quite clearly states £0 for all work. (or zero in some columns - is zero legally binding as 0?)
Is this too good to be true? Comments most welcome.

Claret1858

Johnny_M_P wrote: »

I have just had a call from this company. The chap claimed that subject to a simple survey by him we maybe eligible for free insulation. Our house was built 1995 so has cavity wall insulation built in. the losft only has about 2-3 inches or rockwool in very poor condition (the builders made a real hash of fitting it.) We are under 70 and not on any benefits. The chap popped his head thru loft hatch, checked pipes present. I asked him about the extensive wiring in the loft (we have alot of low energy downlighters) he said these would be ok if we fitted the protective cowls that are available beforehand. He also stated that the rafters would be insulated and the two gable end walls. I asked him on at least 3 occasions that ALL the work would be carried out at no charge at all (in the presence of my wife and 18 year old son). He confirmed that there would be no charge. He claimed that the cost would be claimed from Scottish Power, my energy provider. I have checked the Scot Power website and this type of work does seem to be available. I have read thru the terms and conditions several times. the Cancellation regualtions stated in the T & Cs refer to the Cancellation of Contracts made in the Home ... 2008, so presumably we are safe?
This is something we have been meaning to do.
the written contract quite clearly states £0 for all work. (or zero in some columns - is zero legally binding as 0?)
Is this too good to be true? Comments most welcome.

I'm in exactly the same situation. Macrow visited on 30 August. I've heard nothing since and have tried ringing on several occasions. No answer or return of messages. After reading other posts I'm starting to suspect it's a con. I'm still keen to take advantage of the free insulation offers available but worried about applying to someone else with the Macrow thing still in place.

YoYoY

Claret1858 wrote: »

I'm in exactly the same situation. Macrow visited on 30 August. I've heard nothing since and have tried ringing on several occasions. No answer or return of messages. After reading other posts I'm starting to suspect it's a con. I'm still keen to take advantage of the free insulation offers available but worried about applying to someone else with the Macrow thing still in place.

Hi Claret1858.

Can I ask you what sort of con you think this may be, please?

As I understand it, you say a representative from Macrow visited you on 30 August, expending their time and their money.

If, as you also say, you are in the exact same situation as the previous poster, then you have not paid the company any money and apparently not agreed to pay the company any money.

All that has happened is that you are now unable to contact the company. How is that a con?

Meanwhile, perhaps I could interest you in a free lunch? :cool:

Claret1858

YoYoY wrote: »

Hi Claret1858.

Can I ask you what sort of con you think this may be, please?

As I understand it, you say a representative from Macrow visited you on 30 August, expending their time and their money.

If, as you also say, you are in the exact same situation as the previous poster, then you have not paid the company any money and apparently not agreed to pay the company any money.

All that has happened is that you are now unable to contact the company. How is that a con?

Meanwhile, perhaps I could interest you in a free lunch? :cool:

Based on several comments on this site and on other sites I've seen I was concerned that Macrow were getting people to sign up simply to obtain funding from energy companies/government and then not following things through. Good news is they rang me back last night. Fair play to them for that. Bad news is the installation will be done by the Mark Group. If the reviews for Macrow are a bit dodgy you should see those for the Mark Group :eek:

Thanks for the offer of a free lunch YoYoY. I assume you were offering to pay rather than the other way around? I'll check my diary and get back to you

greenmidget

Just had a Macrow Energy man in the house. We let him give his spiel then he popped his head through the trap into the loft for a few seconds.
When he went away, after we had signed his form, I noticed that he had estimated our loft insulation at 60mm. I have just measured it myself and it is at least 120mm. Apparently they only get contracts from utilities/government if the existing insulation is less than 75mm.
Is that a con?

Claret1858

Claret1858 wrote: »

Based on several comments on this site and on other sites I've seen I was concerned that Macrow were getting people to sign up simply to obtain funding from energy companies/government and then not following things through. Good news is they rang me back last night. Fair play to them for that. Bad news is the installation will be done by the Mark Group. If the reviews for Macrow are a bit dodgy you should see those for the Mark Group :eek:

Thanks for the offer of a free lunch YoYoY. I assume you were offering to pay rather than the other way around? I'll check my diary and get back to you

Update

Installation carried out by Mark Group on 17 October. Everything fine. Arrived at arranged time. Work done cleanly and quickly. No problems. Seems as if you really can get something for nothing. Thanks Macrow Energy and Mark Group. :T

LJeffrey

I've just had a rep from Macro round who handed me a laminated letter that apparently got sent round all the houses saying that everyone is now entitled to free insulation, private and rented. I said I wasn't sure and wanted to speak to my husband and he said that there is only a few weeks of this deal left and that I wasn't signing a contract but he took some details and said that someone would call me back in 7-10days to ask if we wanted to go ahead with it. He said that our neighbours got it done last year (I may go speak to them) and the letter he had had our local council logo on it. I am going to phone them in the morning and ask whether this is legit. I'm very wary of cold callers.