Was this a proper boiler/ filter service?

donglefan

A month ago I booked a boiler service with a new engineer after the last one retired.  I asked for cleaining of the magnetic filter, and an after lunch appointment.
Last night I thought to check the time and sent a message asking what time he would arrive and was told 9.
He arrived around 8.50, I wasn't ready so a lodger let him in.  By the time I arrived at 9 he had run  tests on the boiler and issued a certificate.  The lodger said he had asked where the filter was but no sign of his having cleaned it or having had time to do so.
He was dressed in whites and on his way to play golf, saying he had wanted to honour the appointment.  He said the boiler had not needed any cleaning.
In total, around 20 minute visit for £80.  It was much shorter than any other boiler service here. Is this reasonable?  If not, what to do?  Thank you.
I have already paid the invoice he emailed while he was here.

Albermarle

I had one done today. It took about 40 mins, including checking the gas pressure  at the meter, a couple of times.

Billxx

20 minutes does not seem long enough.  I've had my boiler serviced every year for the last 5 or 6 years (british Gas), always takes between 30m and an hour.  Running the emissions tests takes 15 minutes.  

donglefan

Thank you.  I'm told he ran a test on the boiler inside the house, but didn't go outside.

thegasmon

20 mins means he probably didn't do a proper service and just did a few basic safety checks with an analyser.  I'm guessing he probably didn't even open the boilers case. We call this a BG service and I would advise a different engineer in the future. 

Albermarle

donglefan said:

Thank you.  I'm told he ran a test on the boiler inside the house, but didn't go outside.

You do not need to go outside to analyse the flue gases.

MysteryMe

I think all you can do in reality is get someone else in next time. He's issued the paperwork and you've paid him so chalk it down as one of those things.

FreeBear

Albermarle said:

donglefan said:

Thank you.  I'm told he ran a test on the boiler inside the house, but didn't go outside.

You do not need to go outside to analyse the flue gases.

But checking the pressure drop on the gas pipe does require a trip outside if that is where the gas meter is located.

Checking the pressure drop was done as part of my service earlier in the year.

martindow

The OP mentions a tenant.  It is a legal requirement to have an annual gas safety check in rented houses.  Maybe this merely requires the engineer to check for safety, that there are no risks from gas leaks or CO for instance and is quicker to do and less comprehensive than servicing the boiler.