Green Deal - I have booked an assessment, can I get out of it?

callygsi

I was cold-called a few days ago about the government's Green Deal. I had heard of it before so I knew it was genuine. I was told I needed to have a home assessment done and would have to pay £179 on the day of the assessment, which I agreed to. After I put the phone down I decided to check to see if this was a standard fee that all companies would charge. I found that it is not and on my first call to another company got quoted £85 for the same assessment. The company that booked me in for an assessment withheld their number and did not leave any contact number, so I'm not able to cancel before they turn up.

So my question is, am I able to get out of this? The only details of mine they have are my name, contact number and home address. No contract has been signed and they do not have my payment details.

What would be the best course of action for when the assessor turns up? Do I not not answer the door, tell him I've changed my mind, or do I have to go ahead with it?

bod1467

Do you not have the company name? Assessors need to be registered with the government for any assessment to be eligible for the green deal rebate.

Bear in mind that you get to reclaim the cost of the assessment (at least up to a certain value anyway) when submitting invoices for the work you've had done.

We used the scheme last year. As I recall it was up to ...

£150 for the assessment
£400 for a boiler
£300 for controls
£some other amount for other things like energy efficient lights, loft insulation etc.

If you do get a new boiler etc. (we did as we needed one anyway) then your selected company will probably price the boiler and controls accordingly so that you get the maximum benefit. (Boiler controls don't cost >£300, but they do on the invoice. )

callygsi

bod1467 wrote: »

Do you not have the company name? Assessors need to be registered with the government for any assessment to be eligible for the green deal rebate.

Bear in mind that you get to reclaim the cost of the assessment (at least up to a certain value anyway) when submitting invoices for the work you've had done.

We used the scheme last year. As I recall it was up to ...

£150 for the assessment
£400 for a boiler
£300 for controls
£some other amount for other things like energy efficient lights, loft insulation etc.

If you do get a new boiler etc. (we did as we needed one anyway) then your selected company will probably price the boiler and controls accordingly so that you get the maximum benefit. (Boiler controls don't cost >£300, but they do on the invoice. )

Thanks for the quick response. Unfortunately I didn't take the company name down. I'm still looking at getting this done, and do understand how it works, but I don't want to pay £179 if I can get out of this. I'd rather cancel and then book with another company for the £85, saving myself £94. Even if I can claim it back I could do without spending this money before Christmas. Do you know if I'm tied to this or whether I can get out of it? The only agreement in place is over the phone, but they've provided me with no details to cancel if I should change my mind, so there's nothing I can do until the guy turns up.

enfield_freddy

Knock Knock ,,,hello Mrs/Mr Callygsi , I,ve come to do a green assessment


"who? wrong house number mate "

sofiar

As you have no paperwork to confirm your order I would say that you are not legally obliged to accept the work, I would simply advise that you no longer the inspection and bid them good day

unholyangel

callygsi wrote: »

Thanks for the quick response. Unfortunately I didn't take the company name down. I'm still looking at getting this done, and do understand how it works, but I don't want to pay £179 if I can get out of this. I'd rather cancel and then book with another company for the £85, saving myself £94. Even if I can claim it back I could do without spending this money before Christmas. Do you know if I'm tied to this or whether I can get out of it? The only agreement in place is over the phone, but they've provided me with no details to cancel if I should change my mind, so there's nothing I can do until the guy turns up.

Should be covered by the CCRs (can't think of any exemption in the CCRs that this would fall under).

Sounds like (if they havent even told you who they are, never mind how to cancel etc) that they're already in breach of the requirements of CCRs.

However I would suggest that rather than go with just the cheapest price....research the companies involved. How long they've been trading, what previous customers are saying etc. Its not uncommon for cowboys to offer cheap prices to get their foot in the door.

wealdroam

sofiar wrote: »

As you have no paperwork to confirm your order I would say that you are not legally obliged to accept the work, I would simply advise that you no longer the inspection and bid them good day

A verbal contract is just as binding on the parties, so if the company produce a recording of the phone conversation, they will have proof of the contract's existence.

callygsi

wealdroam wrote: »

A verbal contract is just as binding on the parties, so if the company produce a recording of the phone conversation, they will have proof of the contract's existence.

This is something that had crossed my mind. But as they never gave me any contact number surely this will not be legally binding? As I was never given any opportunity to give them notice I wanted to cancel. Surely you should have some opportunity to cancel after a cold-call?

wealdroam

callygsi wrote: »

As I was never given any opportunity to give them notice I wanted to cancel. Surely you should have some opportunity to cancel after a cold-call?

Yes, as Unholyangel said.

callygsi

Thanks for the info everyone. I think I'll answer, tell them my financial position has changed so I'm unable to go through with it and that I would've called to cancel but didn't have their number. As they're meant to be collecting payment on arrival they can hardly go through with it if they know they won't get paid.

Bantex_2

callygsi wrote: »

Thanks for the info everyone. I think I'll answer, tell them my financial position has changed so I'm unable to go through with it and that I would've called to cancel but didn't have their number. As they're meant to be collecting payment on arrival they can hardly go through with it if they know they won't get paid.

Don't try to make up silly excuses, they have heard it all before and will have the answers to hand.

Just politely say you do not wish to proceed and close the door.