Homeserve boiler cover issues - using Help Link now!

PaulJM

Yes this is correct, they only install Ideal logic boilers (not the plus ones which seem a little better)
I'm trying to get them to shift their position, but I doubt it.

But boiler brands are a subjective thing - I've trawled the Internet and you'll find the same amount of people arguing for Ideal as against. You'll find a massive % even telling you not to touch Worcester, which by any quantifiable way look the best (Which, etc)

So it's pretty much impossible to pick up tips on the best brands when it's mainly "I've been installing X for a million years and they're great" or "I've been installing the same X for a squillion years and they're terrible"

Alex1983

Your right most things you read online can be very subjective. I think the best thing is to look at the manufacturers previous models over a period of time to see the best manufacturers. Some have made some very poor boilers. Some installers fit certain boilers cause they are accredited with that manufacturer and have a biased opinion, home owners tend to only remember the bad ones so only get bad reviews . If the boiler is fitted correctly and the system is cleaned correctly most boilers will be ok.

What boiler do you currently have?

PaulJM

Alex1983 wrote: »

Your right most things you read online can be very subjective. I think the best thing is to look at the manufacturers previous models over a period of time to see the best manufacturers. Some have made some very poor boilers. Some installers fit certain boilers cause they are accredited with that manufacturer and have a biased opinion, home owners tend to only remember the bad ones so only get bad reviews . If the boiler is fitted correctly and the system is cleaned correctly most boilers will be ok.

What boiler do you currently have?

I currently have a Sime, which was in the house when we moved in, and although it's only about 9 years old, it's probably needed 2/5 call outs per year.

Currently, they are trying to charge me £1400 for installation (the current boiler is a condensor combi and everything is up to standards, so it's a straight swap) - with a flue and a WiFi thermostat.

It annoys me that the same thermostat is £150 on Amazon and they want £300..i wanted to buy it and pair it myself but they say a thermostat is in regs now...
Also annoying is that I'm getting a fairly rubbish boiler, and I'm going to have to pay out for a yearly service to keep the guarantee going... Almost the same amount as I pay for the service plan 😪

Alex1983

I’d get a couple of quotes from local companies, £1400 for a straight swap with the boiler for free is expensive. You could probably pay a bit more and get a decent boiler with 7yr warranty, then you won’t be paying out for a service contract.

PaulJM

Alex1983 wrote: »

I’d get a couple of quotes from local companies, £1400 for a straight swap with the boiler for free is expensive. You could probably pay a bit more and get a decent boiler with 7yr warranty, then you won’t be paying out for a service contract.

Agree with that.
But these manufacturers insist on a yearly service.. So that's a similar expense to a cheap service contract

southcoastrgi

Logic & logic + is the same boiler the only difference is the + has a longer warentee, not that means much because Ideal will do everything they can to get out of it

Biggles

Now you know why annual boiler cover's not popular on MSE.

HomeServe_company_representative

Hi Paul,

Thank you very much for your comments and for our ongoing conversation.

Given the intermittent fault on your boiler, as you point out, we needed to attend a number of times. We made every effort to repair the boiler but eventually determined that it was ‘beyond economical repair’. We’re very clear that if a boiler is deemed as beyond economical repair, and, if it meets the Terms and Conditions of cover, that we’ll provide a replacement boiler. This is done on the understanding that you’ll pay for installation costs as outlined in your policy. The new boiler, should you choose to accept it, will always meet the same heating and hot water specifications as your existing one.

We work closely with a number of boiler manufacturers, all of whom are established and well regarded. Where we offer an installation quote we ensure that the engineers used are Gas Safe Registered and HomeServe approved. I understand the cost quoted was higher than what you’d like to pay and we’ve been able to work with Help-Link, our installation division, to reduce this considerably for you. Plus, we’ve worked to understand the impact that this situation has had on you and your family and have compensated you accordingly.

Again, thank you for your open and honest post. We’ll keep in touch with you until this matter is resolved.

Kind regards,

Famena
Here To Help Team

PaulJM

To close this one off...

Although this whole thing has been a bit of a nightmare, Homeserve and Helplink have risen to to the challenge and have achieved a result I'm happy with.

Although I think there have been mistakes along the way, I think both businesses actually mean the best for the customers ultimately.

If I was doing this again, I'd just keep a closer eye on what the engineers were installing and checking their appointments were properly logged and they were coming.