New Green Homes Grant to give up to £5,000 in vouchers for insulation and double-glazing

Zanderman

SavitriJo said:

I did the green home grant eligibility quiz and it comes up that only ground or air heat source pump are eligible for the grant, not solar (which is of course the only option we can do) is this the same for everybody or just us?? I though solar was one of the primary things?

The scheme doesn't do PV solar as someone's already said.  
So only thermal solar is an option.

If you've done the 'quiz' and that's not come up then it's perhaps because you don't have a hot water tank?  You have a combi-boiler?  In which case thermal solar won't be an option as it needs a water tank. 

(there are complicated ways to try and combine combi boilers and thermal solar but it's not straightforward and so unlikely to be in the scheme)

[Deleted User]

How do you unsubscribe email updates to threads on this new forum software?

rajanm

hollieh85 said:

rajanm said:

I managed to get a quote on Cavity Wall and Loft insulation for my 4 bed semi detached in Kent.  The cavity wall was around £1200 and the loft around £700.  I now have a quote for a new composite door too which is around £1870.  With the govt vouchers I should only have to pay around £1200-£1300 for all of these measures.  I submitted my application yesterday but there was no indication of timescale.  

I decided not to rely on the Simple Energy Advice site to find my tradespeople as there were very few within 30 miles of me.  I just typed in 'trust mark' 'doors' and 'Kent' into google and found a couple of companies who said they were taking part.  Hopefully I get the vouchers but my advice is not to just rely on the installers page on the Simple Energy Advice site!

@rajanm I am also in Kent do you mind me asking which company you used to quote? Thanks

Hi, I used Saving Energy (based in Wickford) for the insulation and Edenbridge Window Systems for my door.  Both are adamant they're accredited for the scheme but having read some of the comments on this forum now, I'm beginning to worry that they might not be - especially as they're not listed on the simple energy advice site.  Anyway, I have submitted my quotations so lets see what happens!

rajanm

ulltiger said:

mpet said:

Just seen this on the Gov website - they are saying early November for vouchers today - who wants to bet this will slip back. This will give installers even less time to meet the March deadline.

They've surely got to extend the deadline as Martin asked for? The installers have no idea how the scheme really works, both companies I spoke to seemed rather annoyed and are doing the best they can with little info, trying to second guess how it will work from previous schemes. A complete farce, why launch something that's clearly not ready?  I get they potentially want companies to not go bust but this is just going to create a spike in demand and then probably nothing for some of these companies for months on end as everyone who wanted something doing will have used this scheme. As ever if even I can spot some of the pitfalls why can't whoever is 'organising' this?

I spoke to one company who were furious that people had cancelled their work with them and were holding off until the scheme launched.  So they've had weeks of very little business and now so much demand that they can't even begin to service

tek-monkey

rajanm said:

ulltiger said:

mpet said:

Just seen this on the Gov website - they are saying early November for vouchers today - who wants to bet this will slip back. This will give installers even less time to meet the March deadline.

They've surely got to extend the deadline as Martin asked for? The installers have no idea how the scheme really works, both companies I spoke to seemed rather annoyed and are doing the best they can with little info, trying to second guess how it will work from previous schemes. A complete farce, why launch something that's clearly not ready?  I get they potentially want companies to not go bust but this is just going to create a spike in demand and then probably nothing for some of these companies for months on end as everyone who wanted something doing will have used this scheme. As ever if even I can spot some of the pitfalls why can't whoever is 'organising' this?

I spoke to one company who were furious that people had cancelled their work with them and were holding off until the scheme launched.  So they've had weeks of very little business and now so much demand that they can't even begin to service

I'm sure they'll be upping their quotes massively like everyone else seems to be, so will still make a killing

A1ps

imiy40 said:

Freebeebabe said:

My daughter moved into a victorian terrace with no insulation at all. Waited for the scheme to start so she could apply. There are only 3 Trustmark installers within 60 miles of where she lives. Finally got a guy to come and quote to board the walls with insulated plasterboard. He said it would be 63mm thick, effectively reducing the size of the rooms by 5.5 inches!!! His quote was 3 times more than a local tradesman who, sadly, was not Trustmark registered. As she will have to put a third of the cost herself there was no financial benefit to get grant from the goverment (vouchers). Also, the scheme doesnt include skimming walls, just boarding out, so you'll have to pay for skimming yourself. The whole scheme is an absolute con. She'd rather boost her local economy by giving the work to a local tradesperson. This scheme is a total misuse of taxpayers money under the disguise of creating 'Greener Homes' and should be scrapped.    

Unfortunately most of the companies participating have a very high mark up in pricing a job. 
I live in London and have had 4 quotes from the companies whom participating in this scheme for External wall Insulation, 3 of the quotes came as more than double than what I was quoted privately where as the 4th quote was a bit reasonable which came a third more expensive than the private quote.
Always do your homework it might just be cheaper to do the works privately. 

May I ask what the quotes were please?

Also, I have a timber frame build house which was built around 2003. Will external wall insulation work for me? If so, I good is it at keeping heat in the rooms? Currently 2 of my rooms  which have external facing walls struggle to reach the temperature set at the thermostat.

A1ps

imiy40 said:

nhussa22 said:

imiy40 said:

nhussa22 said:

empeters said:

AN64 said:

empeters said:

AN64 said:

Despite trying numerous companies since the scheme was announced weeks ago I still cannot get a quote for external wall insulation. Would anyone who has managed to get quotes & have applied for the grant be willing to share the names of the companies they have been successful with please. Also which primary measures they are having done. Many thanks in advance 

What area are you in ?

We are in Yorkshire. Having absolutely no luck whatsoever 

Have you tried All Seasons Interiors Limited. They are in Sheffield. They quoted me without coming out or even speaking to me. The quote however, was £11,550 which was £2,000 more than my other highest quote. I think this price is quite inflated if i'm honest but the suppliers know we are struggling to get quotes. 

Is this for one side of your house? Is it a terraced house or something else? Just trying to compare the price to what I have been quoted.

do you need prices for External Wall Insulation?
I have several quotes relating to this.

Yes please. Front side of a terraced house, pretty standard.

My house is End of terrace house covering 3 walls of space of approx 160m2.
I had 4 quotes, 2 companies from East London, 1 in Enfield and 1 in North London. 
2 quotes came in for about 20k, 1 for 16k and last one for £12k.
Early this year I had a private company not part of this scheme quoted me about £8K.
If you like the companies names please message me privately, that's if its doable. 

Can you let me know the details of these 2 companies please. I'm in Enfield so hopefully they'll be able to come out to me.

A1ps

vbnmu said:

imiy40 said:

nhussa22 said:

imiy40 said:

nhussa22 said:

empeters said:

AN64 said:

empeters said:

AN64 said:

Despite trying numerous companies since the scheme was announced weeks ago I still cannot get a quote for external wall insulation. Would anyone who has managed to get quotes & have applied for the grant be willing to share the names of the companies they have been successful with please. Also which primary measures they are having done. Many thanks in advance 

What area are you in ?

We are in Yorkshire. Having absolutely no luck whatsoever 

Have you tried All Seasons Interiors Limited. They are in Sheffield. They quoted me without coming out or even speaking to me. The quote however, was £11,550 which was £2,000 more than my other highest quote. I think this price is quite inflated if i'm honest but the suppliers know we are struggling to get quotes. 

Is this for one side of your house? Is it a terraced house or something else? Just trying to compare the price to what I have been quoted.

do you need prices for External Wall Insulation?
I have several quotes relating to this.

Yes please. Front side of a terraced house, pretty standard.

My house is End of terrace house covering 3 walls of space of approx 160m2.
I had 4 quotes, 2 companies from East London, 1 in Enfield and 1 in North London. 
2 quotes came in for about 20k, 1 for 16k and last one for £12k.
Early this year I had a private company not part of this scheme quoted me about £8K.
If you like the companies names please message me privately, that's if its doable. 

A company in Enfield (let's call them EE like the mobile network operator) has quoted me £5500 for 46m2. Seems inflated to me.

Could you please share the details of this company? 

A1ps

imiy40 said:

vbnmu said:

imiy40 said:

nhussa22 said:

imiy40 said:

nhussa22 said:

empeters said:

AN64 said:

empeters said:

AN64 said:

Despite trying numerous companies since the scheme was announced weeks ago I still cannot get a quote for external wall insulation. Would anyone who has managed to get quotes & have applied for the grant be willing to share the names of the companies they have been successful with please. Also which primary measures they are having done. Many thanks in advance 

What area are you in ?

We are in Yorkshire. Having absolutely no luck whatsoever 

Have you tried All Seasons Interiors Limited. They are in Sheffield. They quoted me without coming out or even speaking to me. The quote however, was £11,550 which was £2,000 more than my other highest quote. I think this price is quite inflated if i'm honest but the suppliers know we are struggling to get quotes. 

Is this for one side of your house? Is it a terraced house or something else? Just trying to compare the price to what I have been quoted.

do you need prices for External Wall Insulation?
I have several quotes relating to this.

Yes please. Front side of a terraced house, pretty standard.

My house is End of terrace house covering 3 walls of space of approx 160m2.
I had 4 quotes, 2 companies from East London, 1 in Enfield and 1 in North London. 
2 quotes came in for about 20k, 1 for 16k and last one for £12k.
Early this year I had a private company not part of this scheme quoted me about £8K.
If you like the companies names please message me privately, that's if its doable. 

A company in Enfield (let's call them EE like the mobile network operator) has quoted me £5500 for 46m2. Seems inflated to me.

They were the most expensive one, I would recommend trying workworkltd.com based in North London. 
They gave me a more sensible quote. 

Was this for external wall insulation? If so, I'll give these guys a try. 

empeters

straalende said:

alansugar said:

Government handing out free money.  Lets all pile in.............
Wait up, and if one person takes my advice, my work is done.

Be very very careful about jumping into what appears to be a no-brainer.  The BIG downside to these grants etc, are the cowboys who are the so-called expert installers etc.  Even the well established companies have pitfalls as you will see below.

The small companies with little on no trading history will give you the BS about being insured, qualified and so forth.  The same BS that spouted from the mouths of hundreds of the Cavity Wall insulation 'Experts' that has left 10's of thousands of people with damaged homes as a result of rogue traders that preyed on people.  Naturally.. a very high percentage of these companies shut up shop after making a killing and physically destroying homes with negligent workmanship.

You think the company is insured no matter how small or big?  Hell yes, they must be if the government has approved them.  Think again.  Google the phrase 'WORK AWAY CLAUSE'.  It is without a doubt one of the sneakiest insurance clauses you can imagine.  In a nutshell.... the clause will NOT insure the company who undertake work BEYOND THE INSURED's OWN BUSINESS PREMISES !!!!!!!!  Where on earth do you think Cavity Wall Experts, Solar Panel Experts, or whatever Green Deal Experts undertake work???  You got it - they have to work BEYOND their own business premises.  In other words - a useless insurance policy that will not cover damage......  AND THERE IS MORE !!!!  What about claims occurring or claims made?  Your brain still with me at the moment?  Another sneaky way to avoid paying.  I am not allowed to post links, but Google the term and look for AON Insurance who are one of the big players in the commercial insurance market.

Steps to take to avoid misery if you absolutely must have to take advantage of the deal
1      Check every credential against the accredited organisations they claim to be part of.  For example BBA, Green Deal etc.
2      Request a copy of the traders insurance policy.  This is a MUST.
3      Check for a work away clause.  If it exists - send them away no matter if they 'claim' to have a warranty.  All you need to 
        regarding 'Warranties', is to check the ones that CIGA offered on those wanting to make a Cavity Wall Claim.
                                i)     Max limit of claim between £10k-£15k
                               ii)     No legal costs permitted (for those who are thinking small claim/fast track/multi-track - think again.                                                 those who have tried have had their proceedings stayed and referred back to arbitration because that
                                       is what the warranty says.
                             iii)       Any remedial work (ANY WHATSOEVER NO MATTER HOW SMALL) invalidates the warranty

4     Check whether the insurance clause is claims occurring and claims made.
5     KEEP EVERY E-MAIL, LETTER, ADVERTISEMENT FOR A LATER DAY IF NEEDED.
6     Reminder - any work away clause - show them the door and never let them in your house.

What you will find with companies jumping on the bandwagon, is that they have just sprung up to make a quick £££ and then liquidate the company and set up as something else.  

Just take my word from someone who has dealt with MANY of these types of claims.  Everyone passes the book and eventually you are left (not in all cases) with suing the trader who has - oh yes, gone out of business and were a limited company.  Good look in trying to pierce the veil of Limited Company protection.

In closing - be very careful with these schemes.

Thank you, 'Lord Sugar'. Your work is done!
That's really useful advice and I for one, will be following up on it. (If I can ever find contractors...)
Yesterday I found that one company suggested by the TrustMark site  - Green Grants 4 U Ltd, has only been trading for a month, according to Companies House. As you say, "little or no trading history". And only a hundred quid in capital, according to the documents filed. So that together with loophole-ridden insurance ain't much comfort if something goes wrong.

What I don't understand is how on earth have they managed to get the Trustmark if they have only just began trading?? I'm baffled by it all. When I phoned Trustmark they told me that they were only a directory of companies and didn't know how companies were endorsed! Complete nonsense.