Leak detection bill

ripplyuk

I contacted a leak detection company and they gave me a quote of £150 over the phone. The guy explained that they would use a combination of acoustic and infrared equipment. They arrived yesterday and all he did was go around the walls with a basic damp meter (which is pointless). He said there was no leaks, but there’s no way he could know that. He couldn’t find the cause of the damp. In fact, he didn’t even know what relative humidity meant! He said he would write a report for me but I messaged him this morning telling him not to bother because he didn’t find anything. 

I spoke to a neighbour this morning who had a different leak detection company at her house last week and she told me it took a few hours and the guys used a lot of fancy equipment including headphones. After listening to her explaining how it all works, I know for sure that none of that was done at my house. The workmen were only in my house for about 20 mins and most of that was just them talking to me. 

I have not been sent the invoice yet but I’m wondering if I’m obliged to pay it, since the work that we agreed over the phone was not done. I’m going to have to get another company out to do the job properly and I can’t afford to waste this money. 

cx6

If you don't pay the invoice, they will no doubt chase you but in the end can do nothing unless they take you to court for the debt.

If they do this, you will have your chance to put your side of the story and the judge will make a decision.

pinkshoes

If they do invoice you, then I would ask them when they are coming round to do the leak detection with all the equipment that they said they'd be using, rather than just 10 minutes of chatting and 10 minutes of placing a damp meter against the wall which you could have bought from Amazon for £20!!

They cannot seriously think they can charge £150 for something anyone could do. These surveys cost money because they're supposed to use decent equipment that cost too much for individuals to buy.

Sandtree

ripplyuk said:

I spoke to a neighbour this morning who had a different leak detection company at her house last week and she told me it took a few hours and the guys used a lot of fancy equipment including headphones. After listening to her explaining how it all works, I know for sure that none of that was done at my house. The workmen were only in my house for about 20 mins and most of that was just them talking to me.  

How much did your neighbour pay for their case?

Alderbank

Ripply, I wouldn't rush to pay someone else just yet. There is no 'one size fits all' for water leaks, it depends very much on the skills and experience of the engineers. The fact that a different company did different tests in a different home and came to a different conclusion is of no relevance to you. See what your guys have to say next. Since they couldn't find anything and did not stay long they might well not charge or only charge a nominal amount.

You say nothing about why you think you have a leak. Dampness is caused by a number of different things. You should take pictures and post on the In My Home (includes DIY) MoneySaving page in Mortgages and Homes. Dampness is a frequent issue there and construction experts post regularly.

ripplyuk

Sandtree said:

ripplyuk said:

I spoke to a neighbour this morning who had a different leak detection company at her house last week and she told me it took a few hours and the guys used a lot of fancy equipment including headphones. After listening to her explaining how it all works, I know for sure that none of that was done at my house. The workmen were only in my house for about 20 mins and most of that was just them talking to me.  

How much did your neighbour pay for their case?

She paid £360. But her house is about 10 times the size of mine! 

lincroft1710

ripplyuk said:

Sandtree said:

ripplyuk said:

I spoke to a neighbour this morning who had a different leak detection company at her house last week and she told me it took a few hours and the guys used a lot of fancy equipment including headphones. After listening to her explaining how it all works, I know for sure that none of that was done at my house. The workmen were only in my house for about 20 mins and most of that was just them talking to me.  

How much did your neighbour pay for their case?

She paid £360. But her house is about 10 times the size of mine! 

So she lives in a stately home?

ripplyuk

lincroft1710 said:

ripplyuk said:

Sandtree said:

ripplyuk said:

I spoke to a neighbour this morning who had a different leak detection company at her house last week and she told me it took a few hours and the guys used a lot of fancy equipment including headphones. After listening to her explaining how it all works, I know for sure that none of that was done at my house. The workmen were only in my house for about 20 mins and most of that was just them talking to me.  

How much did your neighbour pay for their case?

She paid £360. But her house is about 10 times the size of mine! 

So she lives in a stately home?

No, mine is just tiny. 

lincroft1710

ripplyuk said:

lincroft1710 said:

ripplyuk said:

Sandtree said:

ripplyuk said:

I spoke to a neighbour this morning who had a different leak detection company at her house last week and she told me it took a few hours and the guys used a lot of fancy equipment including headphones. After listening to her explaining how it all works, I know for sure that none of that was done at my house. The workmen were only in my house for about 20 mins and most of that was just them talking to me.  

How much did your neighbour pay for their case?

She paid £360. But her house is about 10 times the size of mine! 

So she lives in a stately home?

No, mine is just tiny. 

It must be, if hers is 10 times bigger! If yours is so small, it wouldn't take too long to trace a leak

ripplyuk

lincroft1710 said:

ripplyuk said:

lincroft1710 said:

ripplyuk said:

Sandtree said:

ripplyuk said:

I spoke to a neighbour this morning who had a different leak detection company at her house last week and she told me it took a few hours and the guys used a lot of fancy equipment including headphones. After listening to her explaining how it all works, I know for sure that none of that was done at my house. The workmen were only in my house for about 20 mins and most of that was just them talking to me.  

How much did your neighbour pay for their case?

She paid £360. But her house is about 10 times the size of mine! 

So she lives in a stately home?

No, mine is just tiny. 

It must be, if hers is 10 times bigger! If yours is so small, it wouldn't take too long to trace a leak

That’s why I think my quote was much smaller than hers. But they didn’t actually do any leak detecting here. I would really begrudge paying £150 for someone to tap the walls with a damp meter and then stand there chatting.