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

Aauk25

lovetotravel000 said:

delmonta said:

Just called today after the 4th week being told I'd be contacted after 5 days, and they didn't. The guy tells me apparently my quote needs to be separated into two separate parts, and I asked why they hadn't contacted me to tell me this? he said he didn't know!  Ridiculous, 4 months of waiting, no info, its crazy. It's like they want to drive you mad Maybe so you give up

So now I need to try and get this done by my installers who are flat out, and are considering dropping the scheme because they havent been paid for the work they already carried out. 

Hi. Sorry to hear what a crappy time you're having. I got so fed up a few weeks ago I emailed Sarah Munby (permanent secretary at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy). She replied apologising and saying she had contacted the scheme and given my long wait the application was going to be expedited. Despite this I've still heard absolutely nothing and continue to be fobbed off when I call. Apparently the application is still under review and being processed by the audit department. I also got asked for a new quote with VAT detailed on it despite the company im using already having had 100 vouchers issued using the exact same quote format. I truly and honestly don't believe these vouchers will come through at this point.

Do you have the email for Sarah D please?

nhussa22

So I spoke to my installer today who said he doesn't want to install my external wall insulation because he is "scared" he won't get paid because the work is for the front of my house and it's less than 50% of my overall house. Apparently, on previous schemes, they had to cover more than 50% in order to get paid for it. I did tell them that there is nothing in the terms and conditions which states such criteria and obviously the voucher has been granted so why is it even an issue?! Does anyone else know about this? Is it an issue?

ProfessorChao5

nhussa22 said:

So I spoke to my installer today who said he doesn't want to install my external wall insulation because he is "scared" he won't get paid because the work is for the front of my house and it's less than 50% of my overall house. Apparently, on previous schemes, they had to cover more than 50% in order to get paid for it. I did tell them that there is nothing in the terms and conditions which states such criteria and obviously the voucher has been granted so why is it even an issue?! Does anyone else know about this? Is it an issue?

Maybe offer to pay him if he doesn’t get paid through the grant? Doing work under any of these type of schemes has to be 100% correct and they frequently retrospectively change the rules meaning companies don’t  get paid after already doing the work. 

nhussa22

ProfessorChao5 said:

nhussa22 said:

So I spoke to my installer today who said he doesn't want to install my external wall insulation because he is "scared" he won't get paid because the work is for the front of my house and it's less than 50% of my overall house. Apparently, on previous schemes, they had to cover more than 50% in order to get paid for it. I did tell them that there is nothing in the terms and conditions which states such criteria and obviously the voucher has been granted so why is it even an issue?! Does anyone else know about this? Is it an issue?

Maybe offer to pay him if he doesn’t get paid through the grant? Doing work under any of these type of schemes has to be 100% correct and they frequently retrospectively change the rules meaning companies don’t  get paid after already doing the work. 

Why would I offer to pay them if it falls through? Like the majority of people, if this grant wasn't available, I wouldn't be doing the work. Can the government really issue vouchers to go ahead and do the work to then turn around and not pay up? That just seems ridiculous. Anyhow, I am interested to know if anyone has heard of the criteria for external wall insulation.

Cb_man1

nhussa22 said:

ProfessorChao5 said:

nhussa22 said:

So I spoke to my installer today who said he doesn't want to install my external wall insulation because he is "scared" he won't get paid because the work is for the front of my house and it's less than 50% of my overall house. Apparently, on previous schemes, they had to cover more than 50% in order to get paid for it. I did tell them that there is nothing in the terms and conditions which states such criteria and obviously the voucher has been granted so why is it even an issue?! Does anyone else know about this? Is it an issue?

Maybe offer to pay him if he doesn’t get paid through the grant? Doing work under any of these type of schemes has to be 100% correct and they frequently retrospectively change the rules meaning companies don’t  get paid after already doing the work. 

Why would I offer to pay them if it falls through? Like the majority of people, if this grant wasn't available, I wouldn't be doing the work. Can the government really issue vouchers to go ahead and do the work to then turn around and not pay up? That just seems ridiculous. Anyhow, I am interested to know if anyone has heard of the criteria for external wall insulation.

Speak to GHG to confirm the criteria for External Wall Insulation - their  the ones who will be issuing you a payment voucher, if your application is successful. 

Cb_man1

snods01 said:

I have tried to apply for this grant for the solid wall insulation.  I went on the Trust site as per the guidelines on the Gov website. Rang 3 people today who told me that due to the scheme most of them are fully booked and are not taking any further this year. think you have to get quotes for the work first before you get the voucher.  As they are busy I could not even get someone to come out and give me a quote.  One of them said that the voucher only lasts 3 months, so if you get one and the company can not come to complete the work, you would have to reapply. Feel very disappointed that there are not many companies to the solid wall insulations.

My installer has confirmed that if the work is not carried out within 3 months of voucher being issued, and it is beyond their control, then an Extension  can be requested.
It would be interesting to know if anyone has applied for an extension and if so explain the process,  for everyone’s benefit and the length of extension given.

nhussa22

Cb_man1 said:

snods01 said:

I have tried to apply for this grant for the solid wall insulation.  I went on the Trust site as per the guidelines on the Gov website. Rang 3 people today who told me that due to the scheme most of them are fully booked and are not taking any further this year. think you have to get quotes for the work first before you get the voucher.  As they are busy I could not even get someone to come out and give me a quote.  One of them said that the voucher only lasts 3 months, so if you get one and the company can not come to complete the work, you would have to reapply. Feel very disappointed that there are not many companies to the solid wall insulations.

My installer has confirmed that if the work is not carried out within 3 months of voucher being issued, and it is beyond their control, then an Extension  can be requested.
It would be interesting to know if anyone has applied for an extension and if so explain the process,  for everyone’s benefit and the length of extension given.

From what I have heard, extensions are for another 90 days from the date it is re-issued, not when you request it nor is it from the date of expiry of the present voucher expiry date. The GHG team apparently cancel the voucher and issue a new one. Knowing their shambolic record this far, I can see some people's vouchers being cancelled and not renewed. Hate to be a pessimist but I'd love to be proven wrong.

tek-monkey

grsebs said:

Hi all, I'm considering applying for a Green Homes Grant towards the cost of solid wall insulation but I'm keen to get the work done and I'm concerned by some of the stories on here about the time it takes to actually get the voucher (given that work can't start until the voucher has been awarded). So it would be helpful to know approximately how long people have had to wait between applying and getting the voucher? 

Applied at least 12 weeks ago, no sign of a voucher, they told me they need more info but despite then acknowledging they received it from me apparently they don't really know.

Do you really want it doing soon and can you afford it yourself?  If the answer to either is yes consult a local non-trustmark company for a cheaper quote and a decent timeframe.

Natalie190190

I have also applied for external wall insulation. I submitted my quote after speaking to my installer who had contacted the Scheme confirming everything the quote needed to have. after 3 weeks heard nothing so called only to be told the VAT was incorrect at 0%. Installer said he doesn't charge VAT and that he's had many applications approved with the same format quotes. Called the Scheme again to be told that he must charge and I must pay. He insists this isn't the case. The cost is £9k and I'm only eligible for £5k. So frustrating and it seems you can log a formal complaint but it means absolutely nothing.

Cb_man1

Natalie190190 said:

I have also applied for external wall insulation. I submitted my quote after speaking to my installer who had contacted the Scheme confirming everything the quote needed to have. after 3 weeks heard nothing so called only to be told the VAT was incorrect at 0%. Installer said he doesn't charge VAT and that he's had many applications approved with the same format quotes. Called the Scheme again to be told that he must charge and I must pay. He insists this isn't the case. The cost is £9k and I'm only eligible for £5k. So frustrating and it seems you can log a formal complaint but it means absolutely nothing.

Not quite sure why your installer does not charge VAT ?
just checked my quote and VAT has been included - don’t understand how your installer has not added VAT to your quote - sounds pretty reasonable GHG to expect them to do so , or am I missing something?