Anyone used the Mark Group?

zaksmum

Just had a young man turned up at my door, with a folding ladder under his arm, offering free loft insulation, saying he was from the Mark Group. He asked to check out our loft and O/H allowed him in to do so, obviously keeping an eye on him.

He said there was no charge whatsoever but didn't ask if anyone was on benefits etc.

After asking who our energy providers were - why was this relevant? - he gave us a date to have the loft insulation done, stipulating there's no charge. O/H signed his form which stated that we agreed to pay the installation team on completion of the work, but the "Amount Due" figure was zero. The man said it was a free summer offer.

Bit worried now though - I always thought these government based schemes were conditional on certain benefits? There were other young men in the road knocking at neighbours' doors, and I did check the ID of the one who came here...it just hard to take anyone at face value these days, especially when they're cold calling.

So has anyone used the Mark group and are they a reputable company?

sorcerer

It seems a bit of a odd way of doing things, here is their website.

http://www.markgroup.co.uk/

zaksmum

Thanks sorcerer! I'll have a look at that now.

fairydust1111

I would not use them, they have been to my door & offered me a similar thing, then I realised my own utility company (british gas) were also doing it for free - without having to sign a contract. At this point I had already signed, but had a 7 day timeline of cancellation, which I did and I had the installation from British Gas instead. They were fine with me cancelling my contract within the 7 days though, but if your utility company does it too - go with them as you can trust them. Good luck

BargainGalore

They are well known spammers and cold callers. Personally I tell them to go away and go with someone who isnt a menace

Azmataz

Hmm. I don't know about The Mark Group being spammers or untrustworthy!

After reading a recommendation on MSE, I enquired with EDF about their free insulation offer a few months ago. My details were passed on to The Mark Group - their contractors. No customer payment is required because the government provides insulation grants.

There are a couple of prerequisites. For example, your current loft insulation has to be under a certain thickness, or if you have cavity walls, they have to take up a certain percentage of the overall house area.

The Mark Group came and installed said insulation, free of charge. They were very professional. They aren't pulling a fast one: they get paid big bucks by the government who are pushing hard to cut national carbon emissions from the domestic sector.

I'm now a very happy (and warm!) customer! Get it done! If you're worried about marketing, simply request to be removed from their lists. They will do so: I've not been contacted again by them since.

Sometimes you really do get something for nothing.

honey10

We had the same thing a few months ago, they came in filled in the form, my partner signed the contract and they came about a month ago and fitted the insulation. All seems pretty legit to me.

trumpton

I don't know about cold-calling, but they are a legit company and 'partners/contractors' for several energy companies and local councils.

The cost is subsidised, usually around £150/200 for loft insulation. It may be free if you are oap's or on benefits, I'm not sure.

If you don't fancy them doing the insulation, ring your energy supplier or local council who will tell you who their contractor is.

Eydon

I had them do my cavity wall insulation - they were subcontracted to British Gas.

Bongedone

Mark Group are fine and as said they work with many energy providers and councils.

There are a lot of free offers on at the moment as the budget needs used up before all grants get pulled in October/November to make way for the govenments green deal.

You should jump at the chance to get it free now as it will be over £400 once green deal starts.

The terms are that you must have less than 60mm of loft insulation currently. There is no longer a requirement to be on benefits.

Red_Cat

The Mark Group did my loft and cavity wall insulation. Pretty good service, overall = turned up on time, were polite and tidy.