Free loft insulation - is this a scam?

zuzuspetals

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Two young girls came to my door on Saturday afternoon from a company called Direct Savings. They told be about the grants being given for loft insulation and told me that their company would come and insulate my loft for free. They had a look in my loft, got me to fill a form and booked a slot for somebody to come and do the loft on Friday. They said that the company would apply for the grant on my behalf and I gave them my national insurance number.

I'm now worried that I may have been a bit stupid. I didn't ask for ID. The form that I have doesn't have a company logo on it (it does have a number, which I called and is genuine). I panicked slightly because they said the grants would be stopped next month but I wish I had thought about it a bit more and made some enquiries before giving my details.

Has anybody else had free loft insulation put in? Should I cancel this and go with a more well known company? Also, I'm not on any benefits, and other websites that I've looked at say that I should be in order to qualify.

This is my first flat, I live on my own and am totally clueless about this sort of thing. I live in Scotland by the way - not sure if that makes any difference!

osian

I don't know anything about that particular company sorry, but we had free insulation put in via British Gas last October. It was a free offer open to everyone at the time. We have never recieved benefits or have been in any other sort of need, so we would not normally have qualified for anything like this. So I guess sometimes these sort of offers are genuine.

The guy from British Gas explained that it was something to do with government targets, that they got fined if they did not reduce carbon emissions so they were encouraging all customers to take up the offer (or something along those lines).

I know we do get lots of cold calls about insulation grants, but because we have had the insulation the conversation doesn't get very far, so I'm not sure what the companies are offering.

prowla

We had our cavity wall insulation free from British Gas - we had the option of either that or loft insulation; people on benefits can get both.

It's part of the government's green targets, I think.

There are a lot of door knockers and cold callers touting it too, but I tell them I'm not interested.

They could be bona-fide or not, but I'd prefer to deal with a known company.

gooodkat

Hi there zuzu,

I just experienced the exact same. I just watched my mother sign up to an apparently free loft insulation top-up with DIRECT SAVINGS. I was particularly skeptical especially since i recently watched a clip on tv mentioning loft insulation scams. However, i have heard that everyone is now entitled to some regardless of income benifits/age etc.

We live in a detached bungalow and have 100mm insulation and need 270mm according to the surveyer. He shown me a chart which states we get 75m free, anything above and we pay. He wrote 80m requirement on the quote. He did however say a metre or two extra is not a big deal and we wont be charged. We were quoted 'free' and my mother signed away. Hmm...

I was feeling uneasy so done a quick check on the net and found this. Please let me know how you get on Zuzu and i will give you my review.

I think we need to make sure - they top up existing insulation and do not remove and replace the existing. That all wires are kept either below or above all insulation as being sandwiched is a fire hazard. Ensure they cut out squares for spot lights.

Problem is my mother cant get up to check what they have done and i will be away with work so allow me 2 weeks to give a proper review please!

Hopefully this is genuine and done to a high standard.

goodkat

fatbikersbouncebetter

I have just been insulated for FREE, the company was recommended by a friend, and indeed it cost nothing. I went through the paperwork with a fine tooth comb, and it was good and all done on Thursday, the guys came in two vans, one pair did the loft, 12" of insulation added , and 70mtrs of wall cavity done in about 4 hrs. Very impressed, and I didn;t have to pay. (We both work, and do not claim benefit).
Happy to Pass on details to anyone in North West area. (their area).
:beer:

emerald21

Hi Im in the NorthWest and would be interested in this companies details please for my son. Do you have to be on certain benefits or is it free for anyone do you know ? Thank you

keystone

fatbikersbouncebetter wrote: »

I have just been insulated for FREE

No such thing as a free lunch. So whats the catch?

Cheers

Leif

keystone wrote: »

No such thing as a free lunch. So whats the catch?

Cheers

Government grants due to EU targets. The catch is that 'free' insulation, and heavily subsided solar and wind, lead to a significant increase in all of our fuel bills. And yet many of those who installed solar are wealthy people, who paid cash for the cells, and are making a mint. Insulation is good.

fatbikersbouncebetter

No catch....... it sbeen done now, and they ain't taking it out again

The paperwork was clear, the job was free..... bonus. :T:T:T

Only downside..... my flooring in the loft won't go down all the way now cos the insulation is a foot thick.:rotfl::rotfl:

legoman62

I had mine done last year through Eon.(J & J Crump Sheffield) Originally had 100mm.
2 guys came on the day I requested and put another 170mm on top of the existing lagging.
They lagged all the pipework and tanks in the roof also.
Cleaned up when finished. Did a great job in about 2 hours...I was impressed.
At the time it cost me £49.00 but I am sure that now it is totally free. Go to http://www.freeinsulation.co.uk, insert your post code to check.
Well worth having!

D2bdebtfree

fatbikersbouncebetter wrote: »

I have just been insulated for FREE, the company was recommended by a friend, and indeed it cost nothing. I went through the paperwork with a fine tooth comb, and it was good and all done on Thursday, the guys came in two vans, one pair did the loft, 12" of insulation added , and 70mtrs of wall cavity done in about 4 hrs. Very impressed, and I didn;t have to pay. (We both work, and do not claim benefit).
Happy to Pass on details to anyone in North West area. (their area).
:beer:

Hi, I'd really sppreciate the details of the firm you used. I'm looking to get this done as soon as, winter will be here before we know it:eek:!!
I'm in the Manchester area, thanks.