New Central heating ripoff

troutman

This time last year we had a plumber install a new central heating system for us.
It started off ok, but transpired he was completely making it up as he went along. The issue being we needed it to work with our Logburner too.
A retired local plumber was pointing out his mistakes and when i challenged him he went off site and left us with no heating.
We paid to have the system 'tweaked' to make it at least heat the radiators but the majority of the money we paid him for the tank and work was never completed, we need a new tank and lots of new parts to actually get it working correctly.
Basically out of the 7000 bill only about 3000(2500 parts 500labour) was used out of that money the rest he has taken.

Can i take this to small claims, and if so how do i justify my part claim. All i have it Whatsapp messages asking him to come back and finish the work and him responding 'no i am busy now'

I spoke to Oftec who were utterly useless, all they were keen about were making sure he stays a member so they get their annual income.

Thanks.

snilloct1957

I take it he was Gassafe registered if he installed a new boiler? Try taking up with that organisation; they would be keen to see if his work was up to their standard.

Aylesbury_Duck

You can take it to small claims but you'll need more than whatsapp messages. What does the contract with him say? What did you agree to pay for? You'll need to show what you paid for versus what was completed.

You shouldn't pay a whole sum like that up front in future.

hollydays

You pointed out his mistakes in front of another ex tradesman?
Not the most tactful way to start to get a problem resolved.

Oftec requires you to send them the information in writing.

troutman

To be clear this is an oil boiler hence Oftec not Gassafe. Alot of his electrical work was unsafe but again ive been told this is hard to prove or claim against.
Oftec are only interested in regulatory compliance, 'is it oil safe?' Apart from plumbing the return and flow the wrong way(!!) it is safe, so they said they can't really help apart from asking him to come back!

Contract perspective we asked him to install a system that would work with our log burner. But it's all plumbed incorrectly so will never work. And the wrong tank used. His quote is to supply and fit boiler and tank. There is no contractual mention to actually supply a working solution to the above.

No mistakes were pointed out in front of ex tradesman all were discussed politely and as tactful as possible as i am a tradesman too. The breakdown in relations occurred when he left the system leaking badly and refused to return next day to repair, he said back next week, which turned into never.

LABMAN

This why I refuse to pay for anything major upfront. Double glazing 7k on completion to my satisfaction.