B&Q free boiler and insullation scheme

Kingwaj

Hello i was just wondering if anyone has had this service done by them. I know there are many companies that do it but since B&Q is a well known company just wanted to know if anyone else has had it done via them. I am in need of a new boiler and insulation as the boiler has pretty much given up, unfortunately I am not in a position financially where I can replace it, so any information will be appreciated even if you have suggestions of other companies.

(Sorry if i posted on wrong thread I am newbie).

Thanks in advance Waj.

Wywth

Kingwaj wrote: »

Hello i was just wondering if anyone has had this service done by them. I know there are many companies that do it but since B&Q is a well known company just wanted to know if anyone else has had it done via them. I am in need of a new boiler and insulation as the boiler has pretty much given up, unfortunately I am not in a position financially where I can replace it, so any information will be appreciated even if you have suggestions of other companies.

(Sorry if i posted on wrong thread I am newbie).

Thanks in advance Waj.

The boiler needs to be non-working, as opposed to just "pretty much given up" to be considered eligible

http://www.diy.com/content/marketing/free_boiler/index.jsp?menu=freeBoiler#benefit

Kingwaj

Thanks for the reply I have had a word with them and do qualify as the fan is not working and also they said the boiler had to be lower than 86% efficiency which it is since it quite old. I will keep you updated for anyone else who may want to do the same.

Pincher

If your boiler is not working and your annual income is less than £15,860, or you receive state pension credit, you may be eligible for a FREE boiler replacement, including the cost of all materials and fitting.

This service is currently available to households in Bristol, South Wales and Glasgow.


So it's the same old story. My mother is just not poor enough. I shudder to think what kind of low cost monkey is going to turn up to do the work, since B&Q is certainly not going to train their own engineers. Lowest cost bidding installer is just so re-assuring to their shareholders.

Before anyone says a Gas Safe engineer, I have seen a certified engineer turning up with a barely English speaking apprentice, and left him to it. The apprentice didn't notice the floorstandng boiler didn't have a pump, so the certified engineer ended up doing the pipework again. The apprentice insisted on leaving the flue sticking out so it half blocked the side passage, because he simply couldn't add, and yet insisted this is what the installation manual required. They want to help pensioners? Why don't they legalise euthanasia and lend them a bullet and a pistol? It will be more merciful than what the cowboys will do to them.

Ecodave

I would imagine the vast majority of installs will be absolutely fine. That's a very imaginative crystal ball you have there Pincher. Of course, if there is a problem with an install, a homeowner will be well within their rights to complain. It doesn't matter that they have not paid for the install, it still needs to be done to a certain standard, and energy companies have a responsibility to ensure that standards remain high.

Scaremongering?

Richie-from-the-Boro

Its an ECO qualifying criteria, discussed many times in this thread already the full affordable warmth group eligibility is here the full obligations pack is here.

If you are on pension credit and have a documented income of £15,860, or less .. .. apply regardless of where you live. You might gain .. .. you certainly can't lose unless they charge for the assessment. I can find no evidence that the initial assessment is free.

Hawkeye3813

Hi all,
I recently applied for a free boiler (government scheme) from B&Q.
I am on pension credit and the grant was accepted. B&Q then wanted so much information (proof of house ownership etc etc etc) and also wanted a copy of my mothers will???
Eventually after a few weeks and after Students from Loughborough University (arranged by B&Q) wanted to come and check everything, god know why but I said ok because they needed to check the house and show us the latest wireless boiler controls and as a thank you they would let me have them.
Anyway the assessor from B&Q came to assess everything and took about 1 to 1½ hours measuring and looking as if he knew what he was doing.
Told me that the cooker needed some sort of support (heaven knows why? he was assessing for a new boiler).
He also condemned the old boiler but it was broken and not working anyway.
I got to the point where I knew he was just a learner and knew nothing.

Anyway when he had finished flapping about he left and said someone will be in touch within 10 days. Sure enough they did call me and said everything is okay and you have got the grant but,,,,, I need to pay an extra £650 for the parts???? I said "what parts"?? He replied "the extra piping and stuff" I said "what extra piping and stuff"? As far as I read it was all for free from the government grant.
He said yes but you have to pay extra now and I can use my credit card, he went on and asked me for my credit card details. I said "I do not make a habit of giving a complete stranger on the phone my credit card details" He said "well you have to if you want the boiler fitted"
I asked him if he would give me his credit card details over the phone?
He said "no way I cannot do that" I said "then why should I give a complete stranger my credit card details".
He then chirped out more than once " I work for B&Q a reputable company". Many times he said this and many times I said you cannot be that reputable to ask for my credit card details over the phone and to a complete stranger I have never heard of. Oh but I work for B&Q a reputable company.
I was not going to part with any money unless he would call to my house with credentials and prove he was working for B&Q.
In the end I told them to go away and con someone else by asking for extra money. This is a con and B&Q were making a lot of money from the government anyway.
I looked into it and I knew they could buy a boiler for just over £600 and fit it in a day. The government allow £3,500 for this and work out for yourself if there should be any extra to pay??? NO NO NO.

Please do not go to B&Q for this as they are making too much money from the government and then want more from you.

I then decided to call eOn who do the same scheme and within days they sent an assessor round to do his stuff and he was a pro and knew exactly what he was doing.
They called me back in a few days and said everything is ok and will call me within 10 days to make plans for fitting the new Vailllant Echo Pro 280 combi boiler.
Within 10 days they called me back and said we can come on March 24th to fit the new boiler. I said "YIPEEEE!" I was over the moon?
I asked the young lady on the phone if there was any extra to pay? She said "what do you mean"? I said again "will there be anything to pay for"? She said "no not at all it all comes from the government grant".
So to sum it all up, if you are asked for extra money from any of these free boiler fittings then report it and go to eOn.
They were professional fitters and they installed my new combi boiler in the airing cupboard and taken away the old back boiler and hot water tank and header tank. They were brilliant and not 1 penny extra to pay.

B&Q are amateurs and con men so steer clear

Please note: I said eOn but maybe a different Electricity/Gas company in your area but I am sure they all do the same scheme.