Free and Cheap Insulation Official Discussion

mrnomoneybags

Excellent, Just phoned BG and the next appointment was the 3rd of Jan but the guy told me I would still qualify for the offer.

Except it doesnt say that in the T&C's

:(:(:(

Fraser_Newton

Apologies if this is in the wrong thread!
Some years ago (probably early 1980's) my parents had cavity wall insulation (Pilkington's wool product) done by British Gas. Over recent years they have been suffering increasingly from areas of black mould inside the house, which would indicate there are cold spots. The cause became apparent when they were having other works done by a local builder recently (insertion of lintels over a couple of windows due to dropped brickwork following UPVC windows being fitted, and kitchen extractor). Both of these works involved accessing the cavity wall. In both cases there was no insulation present in those areas. It would appear the original installation of insulation was at fault, or that the insulation has settled within the wall to the bottom. They were provided with a 100 year Guarantee Certificate, but this was from Pilkingtons covering the material only, not the installation.
Can anyone tell me, do they have any right of recourse to British Gas over faulty workmanship? They can't access any of the 'free insulation' schemes as they've already got inulation, albeit patchy and poorly installed, and it seems unfair that they would have to pay out again to get the job put right.
Any advice would be a big help, thanks.

cashbuilder_2

Hi guys, I'd appreciate others' advice or experiences as my mum had a man at the frontdoor saying the company he worked for SEAL (sealinsulation.co.uk) could definitely insulate her loft for free, without having carried out a survey.

My initial reaction was how is that possible, without trying to sound too cynical. In short, speaking to someone in their office to confirm what they actually do, I was told my mum had had a survey -which she assured me she had not - and now they say they are ready to carry out the work.

Now, I don't object to free services, but are there others out there who can say whether you REALLY should have a survey carried out, as I don't feel comfortable, especially as other companies do offer free surveys, but my mum seems to think the big ones, ie British Gas etc may not be able to insulate her house for free as it's quite large.

Thanks

dutch_andy

If you live around, Swindon Wiltshire, Bristol, Bath, Reading, Oxford
I found a local company who have secured funding to allow free insulation to properties. Call Andy 07919 550822

tom1308

ChyEbren wrote: »

I really wish people, especially the government, but alas now including MoneySavingExpert, would stop advertising "free insulation for all". It's just not true. I live in rural Cornwall and my home, like so many in the countryside all over England, does not have cavity walls. I have had to spend thousands buying and installing special insulating wallpaper for my single-skin walls to try to reduce heating costs.

As usual the government have latched upon an easy, high-publicity-potential campaign which specifically benefits townies and ignores those of us who don't live in cities.

It's not benefits "for all", it's still very much for "some" only.

Sharon

Of course if you don't have cavity walls you can't have cavity wall insulation. What is your point here?

Purple-flower

..............

vreemt

I had the loft checked, with a sign off on the costs as I thought I was on qualifying benefits, but as I have been messed about I don't get any HB or JSA, with the free for all offer I am thinking it *may* be worth giving the company that surveyed us a call.

He checked the boxes PrGroup (Priority?), CTB (I'm guessing council tax benefit, but my most recent letter for HB says I won't qualify for CTB either - possibly just Oct/Nov as I am now working again), IBJSA (letters about JSA do not mention IBJSA in any way, shape or form).
The Scheme Provider is Priority and the thing says 100% free grant, Macrow Energy www.macrowenergy.com

I'll try and remember to update. I am going to the CAB tomorrow to sort my HB mess out (that box wasn't checked, neither was the also relevant earnings under 16190).

Louise28

I recently emipted my loft and had got an appointment with British Gas to come and survey my loft for the 'free insulation' on Friday 23rd November 2012. I received an answerphone message at 3:30 pm on Thursday 22nd November informing they had canclled my appointment (I did not pick up the message until after 5pm when I retruned from work) so could not ring them until the next day (day of my appointment).

They have now re-scheduled the survey to Janaury 9th 2013 because they are too busy, however, I queried with them if I will still qualify for the free loft insulation as the deadline is the end of December 2012, they were not too sure, they have not written to me to apologise for the cancellation and I only found out that a new appointment had been set up in January when I rang them!:mad:

My loft is now empty and my upstairs feels really cold, this is soo infuriating from a very well known big compnay that they reckon we can trust!

Does anyone know if I will still qualify?

I have also contacted other companies and they will only do it if I am claiming benefits, surely this is discrimnatary to those that are working!!

freeasabird

I got a call from a company offering free insulation and when I asked how they got my details; they said they represented utility companies that are offering this work.

I was a bit suspicious so I told them I didn't think we were eligible.

I then checked with British Gas and living in a maisonette means we would need to get permission from the neighbours above us to get cavity wall insulation. We are leaseholers but the majority of the block are council tenants so that makes it even more difficult to get work done.

British gas' representative recommended we call the external wall insulation people at British Gas who may be able to help us.

The bottom line is that it pays to check people out especially when companies ring up with so called 'free' offers.

emmapyrah

Im confused, can anyone help?

I was looking at getting free cavity wall insulation and a couple of web sites are saying they dont do cavity wall insulation in houses built before 1924. My house is quite old and we have no heating and we also have a 4 year old living here. Can anyone recommend anywhere that would do it?