Deposit Protection?

uk1

I’ve had several visits and found the process stressful!  

I’m looking at an MCS well-established installer who I’m as confident in as prudently possible and I’ll no doubt soon be handing over a meaty deposit.  With instal lead times extending I’m twitchy about the risk.  They aren’t on the HIES list so no protection there.  They don’t accept credit cards so no section 75.  Chargeback only works if the company still has a balance.  I’m not certain that escrow would go down well.

They are however listed on RECC who seem to offer some sort of warranty and deposit protection but it reads as though it is optional for their members.  

Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.  

Reed_Richards

Some years ago I was looking for a replacement window.  One of the companies I considered could not take a credit card payment.  This made me suspicious and I went elsewhere.  The company I had rejected failed shortly afterwards.

uk1

Reed_Richards said:

Some years ago I was looking for a replacement window.  One of the companies I considered could not take a credit card payment.  This made me suspicious and I went elsewhere.  The company I had rejected failed shortly afterwards.

Thanks yes I understand - hence my post.  But  many solar companies do not accept credit cards?

Coastalwatch

Admittedly it was four years ago but no deposit was required by any of the company's  who submitted quotations. Two of which are still in business doing very well. Family members have had or are having PV arrays installed and no mention of deposit's has arised but I will ask in case there's been a change since. I'd be suspicious of any company asking for a deposit as this then offers them a lever to ask for more prior to completion......or even commencement of the install!

QrizB

uk1 said:

I’ve had several visits and found the process stressful!  
I’m looking at an MCS well-established installer ...
Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.  

In order to be a member of the MCS scheme the installer has to be a member of a certification scheme (eg. NICEIC or NAPIT) and of a consumer code (RECC or HIES). The MCS search function will tell you which ones your installer is a member of:
https://mcscertified.com/find-an-installer/

The certificition schememakes sure that the installer knows what they;re doing and provides redress if the installation isn't up to sratch.

The consumer codes require that deposits and warranties are covered by insurance. For RECC this is explained here:
https://www.recc.org.uk/members/insurance-providers

If the installer is RECC certified they must have deposit protection insurance, and they should be able to provide you with evidence of this.

FWIW I had problems woth a NAPIT-and-HIES certified installer a little while ago. Both NAPIT and HIES were very helpful and saved me from having to chase the installer personally.

uk1

Thanks.  They are RECC members but not HIES or NAPIT from what I can see. 

When I read the RECC scheme it seemed to be an optional by installation insurance and mentioned limited cover for up to but no longer 35 days cover from deposit payment.  Currently I’m not receiving any quotes for installation within 35 days.  

QrizB

uk1 said:

Thanks.  They are RECC members but not HIES or NAPIT from what I can see.

It'll be RECC or HIES (or another), NAPIT or NICEIC (or another). I would be very surprised to find any installer who is a member of more than one body in each category.

When I read the RECC scheme it seemed to be an optional by installation insurance and mentioned limited cover for up to but no longer 35 days cover from deposit payment.  Currently I’m not receiving any quotes for installation within 35 days.  

Most (not all) of the insurers on RECC's approved list offer 90 days of deposit insurance.

If your installer can't give a start date within the window, see if you can agree a later start date with the deposit payable 30 days before start.

uk1

Excellent advice which is really appreciated.  

SevenOfNine

Limited payment methods made us nervous as well, but our installer had a £175 insurance fee on the invoice (which I believe may have been optional), deposit & guarantee protection with IWA here https://www.iwa.biz/ & we have the policy.

The problem we're facing is that it seems the 'Offer for Electricity Connection' made by the DNO has an 'Acceptance Form' on the end which is supposed to be signed & returned to the DNO.

Once returned they, in turn, acknowledge it adding their own signature, date & a covering letter of start date confirmation. It appears that this wasn't done, the acceptance form wasn't returned by the installer! Came to light when we started the export excess process with Octopus & we don't have an "export MPAN".

[Deleted User]

It won't matter if they are HIES registered if the company themselves do not register your deposit with HIES - as I have recently found out from HIES.

Fortunately, my deposit is covered via a credit card via chargeback but - don't be swayed by the HIES thing alone. 

HIES tell me that once a deposit is registered with them, you, the customer will get written acknowledgement of that - so anyone who has not had that and has paid a deposit needs to look at making some enquiries about that.

uk1

Thanks all.

It has been extraordinarily tough simply getting quotes, particularly quotes that are sensible and from outfits you think are safe.  But this deposit issue for a distant purchase is beginning to wear us down.  Who hands over cash to complete strangers these days?

The combination of “limited companies” and non-acceptance of credit cards with non-transparent deposit protection is a whole new scam opportunity. 

Thanks all.