Plumber quotes free call-out but then wants to charge

bris

photome wrote: »

So would I, coupled with the fact he spent an hour reading the manual.

Are you kidding, do you know what's involved in finding fault, in a boiler with over a thousand different models out there? Do you expect them to be experts in every make and model?

I would be more concerned if he didn't read the manual. There are so many parts all leading to the same failure that it's almost impossible to get it right first time that's why so many engineers spend time making sure they get the right part first time.

Even then it can all still lead back to the PCB which is the usual suspect, but always the dearest part so changing a micro switch which was originally diagnosed may not be working because the PCB failed and doesn't give it the command, but that takes trial and error.

To give a quote they must have told the OP what the job required, that's why I am suspicious about the fact the engineer was used as the fault finder for a DIY fix.

jonnyd281

Zandoni wrote: »

Boilers are pretty simple and it shouldn't take all that time to diagnose, manual or not.

Are they, so you have fuel solenoids, maybe a fan of some sort, a process timer, a control system, plus all the indicators that tell the boiler the flame is alight and such light. I have worked on large boilers built in the 70s and modern boilers, diagnosing a fault is not a case of open the door and there it is, you still have to work through it methodically which all takes time.

unholyangel

Since its ambiguous, OP may be able to argue that its a term of the contract and as such, subject to unfair contract terms - in that if a term is ambiguous, the interpretation most favourable to the consumer (the person who did not write the contract) shall prevail.

neilmcl

Zandoni wrote: »

If he was experienced he wouldn't need a fault diagnosis chart. Plus he still wasn't confident on what parts to get.
I'd want proof he was Gas Safe.

Are you a Gas Safe boiler engineer with a wide knowledge of the plethora of different boiler manufacturers and designs?

neilmcl

Zandoni wrote: »

Boilers are pretty simple and it shouldn't take all that time to diagnose, manual or not.

I refer you to my post above.

alinwales

Zandoni wrote: »

I'd be very suspicious of the plumbers ability if it took him 1.5 hrs to find a boiler fault. Was he Gas Safe registered?

He didn't find a fault. he was going to buy three pats that could solve the problem, but wasn't sure about it.

I wasn't going to get into the competency part of the issue here, just focus on the 'what constitutes a callout and should it have been free'. I know there are loads of different boilers, and though their function is basically the same, there are obviously features that are unique. However, I was under the impression that someone with over 30 years experience (his words, not mine) should do a better/quicker job than me with my 1 hour (well, 2 hours if you include the job I did last year of putting in a wireless thermostat). This means, sure use the manual, check the wiring diagram etc, but knowledge/experience should improve the speed of fault location.. and perhaps be honest if he left the boiler with a broken wire, though perhaps he assumed he'd be back in to finish the job.

Zandoni

neilmcl wrote: »

Are you a Gas Safe boiler engineer with a wide knowledge of the plethora of different boiler manufacturers and designs?

Not personally but I worked in the gas industry for 18 years and I know many heating engineers.

paulsad

Maybe the moral is not to call a plumber but a boiler engineer?

George_Michael

Zandoni wrote: »

Not personally but I worked in the gas industry for 18 years and I know many heating engineers.

My wife used to work in the plaster room of a fairly big hospital and due to being there for 12 years, she got to know quite a few of the doctors and surgeons from the hospital.
Does this mean that you would trust her to carry out an invasive procedure on yourself?

Zandoni

George_Michael wrote: »

My wife used to work in the plaster room of a fairly big hospital and due to being there for 12 years, she got to know quite a few of the doctors and surgeons from the hospital.
Does this mean that you would trust her to carry out an invasive procedure on yourself?

Of course I wouldn't. I also wouldn't carry out any boiler repairs.