british gas energy trust

[stevetheplumber]

anyone know anything about this?i went and priced a job a few weeks ago for a very strange guy the flat was a complete mess and he had had the gas meter removed five years ago theres a full heating installed and he wanted a price for a new boiler as it waas all a bit strange i priced the job high now he has come back to me saying he has the grant and they have issued a cheque for the full amount can i start it but he hasnt the funds to pay the deposit
theres no way im starting with out the deposit but he is arguing thats tthe way it works

 

[rocketmanbkk]

If he's got the cheque then who's it payable to?

Do you need to make a claim to someone?

No depo, no start - I agree

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Sorry, meant to say grant, not cheque

 

[ShaunCorbs]

put the money into a trust or what ever they call it (solicitor will be able to help) once job complete solicitor will send you the funds

 

[julesverne]

I had one of these and the cheque was made out to my business name so took it before i installed as they were happy to do that.

 

[stevetheplumber]

thats what ive said jules but he wil not pay up front

 

[julesverne]

thats what ive said jules but he wil not pay up front

He cant cash it. So i suppose what you could do as a solution turn up on the day with the boiler ask for the cheque and install that way. Or take a risk that he will give you the cheque he will most likely do that as the cheque isnt in his name. But you never know i havent seen the bloke and i know when i get the heeby jeebys i walk away no matter what.

 

[stevetheplumber]

everything is screaming scam to me he claims to be an architect but is living in a dump and all this starts at 3pm on a friday so no way to speak to the trust his now threatening to get the cheque reisued to another contractor i hope he has found one willing to start with out a deposit
i suppose it will wind up back with BG in the end as they will have the confidence in payment

 

[julesverne]

sounds like an arse probs best out of it

 

[Masood]

Steve I've done a few of these now. The cheque will be in your name so he can't cash it. It takes months normally to get a grant so it's very unlikely they'll re-issue in someone else's name without very good reason.

Jules' idea is a good one - turn up with the boiler but don't open the box till cheque is in your hand. Should only be a day job with it being boiler only? So he knows you can't cash it before job's finished..