Daydream fund challenge part 4

Davesnave

Our Saga....or How Not To Insulate Your Loft. :o:o

I'm not sure about it, but I feel that at the first attempt we made to get free loft insulation, we hit on the edge of something dodgy.

Following the EPC we had as part of a Green Deal assessment, we were contacted by what I thought was the Energy Saving Trust.....but they werent, they were the ***** **** Energy Saving Trust. Big difference! They invited us to apply for 'free' loft insulation within a two week window, which we were led to believe was related to our post code. The gist of their letter was, "use it now or lose it."

So....I explained we were re-configuring/ re-wiring etc at that time, and the chap on the phone just told me it would be OK to rip all the old stuff out and have new. It needed to come out prior to their survey.

I had to remove the insulation anyway, so I took it all away. Left to my own devices, I'd have done it piecemeal, as and when we needed to remove it. As a result, last winter was less comfortable than it might have been!

You may remember, thecompany that came to install the new insulation refused to do it because our works were ongoing. They said they'd come back once the ceilings were all changed, but by that time their money had dried-up. "Never mind," they said, "you can go into next year's budget, but first you must have an EPC!" The fact that we'd had one less than a year earlier didn't count!

When I refused another EPC, there was a Mexican stand-off with the installers refusing to put us on their list, as promised. Eventually, I told them to forget it, but in the meanwhile we were contacted by an 'auditing surveyor' who wanted to satisfy himself no insulation had happened. Still not sure where he came from. He looked...and left.

Shortly after that, we were cold-called by another firm who advised us that the first company we'd been dealing with were 'under investigation,' but they'd happily take on the work instead. This fitted with the strange visit of the auditing surveyor, but I didn't like being cold-called or the guy who did it, so I told them to go forth and multiply.

That was when I decided to contact British Gas...firstly through MSE, which failed, and then as a private individual. As you'll remember, their surveyor wouldn't go in the loft till all the extraneous/redundant wiring had been removed. It's gone now, but we are still waiting on the surveyor returning.....and it's bluddy cold!

choille

You get grants for insulation for built houses rather than new build, which I think is a bit unfair, but then I would wouldn't I?

It does all seem to be a bit of a minefield & not really user friendly.

I think it's come slightly milder just now. I've been core cold all day after spending the morning on yuky paper work stuff & all hunched up in here.

Davesnave

What a difference a day makes! 2 m3 of reasonably dry logs just delivered to the big barn by the log man and a promise of some action tomorrow from the plumber. Even the weather is cooperating......for now.

Just as well....tomorrow the Outlaws arrive to begin replacing a dodgy main drainage chamber, which I've already exposed ready for demolition. As it's going to pee down tomorrow, I'll demolish all but the last two courses of bricks today and pray, because sometimes the water table comes up, higher than that!

Annoying that we have gales predicted, as we have our old plant sales shelter ready to place over the work area, but not if the winds are 40mph+.:(

choille

It's gales here, but much milder thankfully.

Joiner fell off a step ladder yesterday outside - up the scaffolding. Scary. He's all stiff today so hasn't come. The cat bit the phone wire so we have no phone apart from OH's mobile but no reception.

We have to go survey a house, so I must get my act together.

Davesnave

I see they're switching on the Christmas lights in South Molton tomorrow, though it looks as if they can't make up their mind who's doing it.
http://www.visitsouthmolton.co.uk/portfolioentry/christmas-lights-switch-on-fireworks/

Back in the 60s, my Dad used to say it would take at least three people on that council to change a light bulb...

Meanwhile, Tiverton's are already on, and according to rumours, they're pants.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-34919381

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I_have_spoken

Just had 1kg Flowers of Sulphur Powder delivered, but it seems the EU has banned me from using this as a fungicide on the dahlia and canna tubers. What a nuisance!

choille

You'll have to put it in the pudding then!

Never stopped raining today.

OH has a letter for hospital apointment on Monday - not much notice. Think this is pre op that didn't happen the last time.

Davesnave

Buy Nothing Day....Fail by 06.30

I forgot, went on Amazon and bought..............hoover bags! :o

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Davesnave wrote: »

Buy Nothing Day....Fail by 06.30

I forgot, went on Amazon and bought..............hoover bags! :o

But you needed them, you wernt buying them because you wanted them,

Lola, can now ' sit' ' give paw' , and 'other' ( give other paw) the rate she is learning, I wonder if I can teach her to wash the dishes etc lol...

Raining here . so think I might just list on the bay, if it doesn't go all glitchy again!!

We are waiting for the stove ' putter in'er' to come to have a look, and tell us when he can install it, and the best way, and she if we need to undo the stonework that the stonemason done by not listening to us!! ( instead of only doing a team cap where the chimnley was, he has bricked up the top of it completely!!) If he doesn't come and have a look soon, then we will look for someone else..

I_have_spoken

OMG the rain...:mad:

All half-price, probably the last gasp for planting tulips this year.