Stove fitter issues

Rural_Puppy

Hello
I am in the process of having a multifuel stove fitted in an existing fireplace and chimney. The local stove fitter I have asked to do the job has decided to order fitting components, without first confirming with me what I have ordered with the stove. Not only is the cost of the stuff he has ordered about twice what I was expecting to pay, it would appear that some items have been duplicated, and he is now saying that the ones I have, that actually came with the stove, are inferior to his!

So, I have two of some items, but he is reluctant to use the ones I have.

It seems my choices are:
1. Keep the peace, pay him again for his components and let him use them. But the ones I have will go to waste.
2. Ask him to provide a spec of his components and, with reference to the spec for mine, explain why mine are not suitable.
3. Insist he uses what I have, and he can either send the others back or keep them for another job. He may walk off the job.. or find another way to charge me for the wasted components.
4. Something else......

I want to be reasonable, and don't want to start telling him how to do his job, but, I am struggling to understand what is best in this situation. Any thoughts please?

ilikewatch2

If a part that you've supplied and insisted he fits fails (and believe me, he will insist that's the bit which has failed) you'll end up paying his labour to remove it and refit the replacement. If he supplies the part which fails then the whole cost of replacing it should be covered by the warranty he gives you.

FreeBear

What are the parts in question ?

flashg67

I'd probably go with his parts and return/sell my parts to save any future issues if he had to come back

Rural_Puppy

FreeBear said:

What are the parts in question ?

Thanks for your reply - the parts are for fitting the stove - a piece of stove pipe and a register plate. Supplied by the supplier of the stove, so I am struggling to understand how they might not be suitable!
Not a huge cost in the grand scheme of things, but I object to the principle of a tradesman insisting I pay him for something I did not authorise him to order!

A couple of other points:
a) I have also started to research register plates a bit more, as his one is (of course) more expensive..... and found a website that suggests I do not need a register plate if a flue liner is being fitted. It is. Do you happen to know if this is correct?

b) I have discovered he is not on the HETAS register. How big a deal is that?

Thanks!

stuart45

A register plate is used when a liner is not fitted. However a closure plate would be fitted with a liner to stop insulation etc falling into the fireplace. 
If the fitter is not HETAS registered than Building Control would need to sign it off. Not all of them will do this.

Bendy_House

Hi RP.

Really, as said above - the guy is a twit, but in the scheme of things it'll almost certainly be better for you to just roll with it.

I presume this register plate is a standard size - ie will need trimming to suit each individual installation? In which case, the one he bought for the job will be too.

So there is only one reason I can think of why he didn't immediately say, "Oh, one came with the stove? Great - I'll keep mine for my next job!" He's an a***.

But, he's the a*** who's going to be fitting your stove - and then hopefully registering it with BC. Ask that Q now - is this included in his quote? If not, how much will it be for a BCO to come out, check the install and supply a cert? I dunno - ~£200?

Just take the easiest and smoothest path to get the job done, and then leave an honest and unemotive review on t'net. Say everything he did well, and then point out the 'cons'.

If he isn't HETAS and if he didn't factor in the cert'ing of the installation in his quote, then that's at least 2 stars off right there - and a bold salutary warning to future customers.

maisie_cat

Rural_Puppy said:

FreeBear said:

What are the parts in question ?

Thanks for your reply - the parts are for fitting the stove - a piece of stove pipe and a register plate. Supplied by the supplier of the stove, so I am struggling to understand how they might not be suitable!
Not a huge cost in the grand scheme of things, but I object to the principle of a tradesman insisting I pay him for something I did not authorise him to order!

A couple of other points:
a) I have also started to research register plates a bit more, as his one is (of course) more expensive..... and found a website that suggests I do not need a register plate if a flue liner is being fitted. It is. Do you happen to know if this is correct?

b) I have discovered he is not on the HETAS register. How big a deal is that?

Thanks!

He possibly can"t sign the work off them, you'll need building control.  Did he represent himself as a Hetas engineer?

stuart45

I'm surprised a Stove fitter isn't registered with HETAS.
A closure plate is much cheaper to make and fit than a register plate BTW.

FreeBear

Bendy_House said: But, he's the a*** who's going to be fitting your stove - and then hopefully registering it with BC. Ask that Q now - is this included in his quote? If not, how much will it be for a BCO to come out, check the install and supply a cert? I dunno - ~£200?

Not forgetting that an application should be made to BC before starting the work. Getting them in to sign off the work post-installation generally incurs a larger fee.

For a stove installation, I would always use a HETAS registered fitter and leave the paperwork for them to complete.

Rural_Puppy

Thank you everyone for your replies, much appreciated. I am feeling rather let down by this guy. He came highly recommended,  by several folks locally whom he has fitted stoves for, and I didn't think to ask him if he was properly registered with HETAS. My bad and serves me right for assuming...!

Re the extra materials, without even seeing what I have got, he is declaring that because I got them free with the stove they will be cheap and nasty and inferior to what he has ordered. Hmm. 
He is now demanding that I pay him immediately for his materials...... which I can do but I will need to get possession of them fairly pronto. Not sure how he might react to that.

Re register plate vs closure plate - he advised me that a register plate is simply a steel plate with a hole cut in it. No mention that as he is also installing a flue liner, then a closure plate is sufficient.

However, would I be correct to believe that a register plate would be a "belt and braces" solution to avoid any smoke or chimney debris possibly entering the room or the stove itself?

So.... just to check my understanding - as he is not HETAS registered; even although we have not applied for a building warrant, we still need to have the work signed off by building standards at the local council (Scotland)? 
I would assume (oops, that word again!) that the Council will charge for that?

What are the implications of not having the work signed off by either HETAS certification or the Council?

I fear an ugly standoff might ensue. We are in a fairly small remote rural community where everyone knows everyone else, which adds an additional complication, unfortunately. Falling out with well thought of local tradesmen will not end well either. 

Apologies for wee rant-ette. All I want is my stove fitted properly and not to be ripped off!