HW only works when CH is on, and other problems

[franz]

I still find it hard to believe that these people can still trade.If A CAR mechanic did faulty work on my brakes and killed someone would he not go to prison or the like?
They should be named and shamed.
Also, is there no legal way to stop them trading.

 

[nervous123]

if i remember rightly you have to write a 'without predudice' letter giving them 14 days at least to rembuse you, or in this case put the work right . . .

Legal adivce would be recommended, as you cannot use the small claims court for 10k!

Good luck.

5 weeks ago, I emailed him all o/s points with a deadline of over a month. [This is not the only thing he's messed up. Apart from various 'minor' snags, he's messed up my brand new extension roof. That'll set me back about £3-4k to remedy - my retention is approx £4-5k - as he has not given me a figure I have had to calculate it myself.] I even offered a part-payment of £500 to take care of some of the points and the balance on completion of all. As expected, he never turned up (add to add insult to injury, he demanded more than £500 to finish the first points, as if he's in a position to negotiate.)

At the time, although I referred to the problem of the HW and CH controls, I didn't yet know I (may have) had a problem with the cylinder installation, so that wasn't included in my email. So according to you, I would have to write another letter. However, the last thing I want is him coming back to 'rectify' the job. I have no faith (and every suspicion) in his work/workers! What I do want, is that he reimburse me - either (a) the cost of remedial work, or (b) he reimburses part of the £10k originally charged.

I'd love to bring in LABC to have a look ... and get him in trouble ...

 

[PlumbBobBob]

do it then. see if he turns up to answer the problems with them there and see him squirm and try to get out of it and blame everyone else but himself!

 

[nervous123]

do it then. see if he turns up to answer the problems with them there and see him squirm and try to get out of it and blame everyone else but himself!

Is there any chance it would be me who would get into any trouble with LABC?

(Think I'll wait anyway til the GS-reg fellows have checked it out this week)

 

[Avatar]

You can call in trading standards as well, but seriously - get in an couple of experts in unvented water systems, and boilers and get them to assess the work done, and give figures for the remedial work.

Tell them if they give a free quote, that you will use them for the corrective work when it is done - for Gods sake ask for some referances please!

All this will be ammo for you when you come to deal with this legally - by the way is this guy a builder, or does he do the work himself?

I didn't hear you say east european did I? (If I did, shame on you!)

 

[nervous123]

Okay---seems the end may be in sight. I've finally had 3 fellows with the Unvented ticket come and have a look. They all said it's about a day's work.... basically

• replace discharge with copper pipe running downhill. Currently plastic pipe merely terminates under eaves so will need to be run down to ground level outside
• repair CH / HW issue - either a wiring problem or may need to be replumbed, depending on where flow is coming from
• can't do anything with non-existent balanced cold

First one works for a local reputable contractor. Contractor wants £800. (My bad luck - had contractor round anyway, mentioned my cylinder to him, then independently found engineer on GS website who said he can't come himself as he's already seen me by his contractor's request.)

• They will not take responsibility for any part of installation they don't touch.
• His worker did not check to see where plastic discharge pipe terminates, so I'm not sure if he is even aware there is external work too.

Second (independent) says he is 'dear' (and I could get for around £300 from someone else) but he works with a 2nd pair of hands (plumber), and wants £575.

• For this price he will also commission the boiler (as he doubts they've done the checks) and he will sign both the Vaillant boiler commission list (back age of manual - left empty?!) and the Benchmark cylinder booklet.
• He assured me he will prepare the cylinder to a level complying with Building Regs.
• He remarked that gas pipe under boiler had not been sleeved but did not say he would do any work on it.

Third (independent) is going home to think about it but reckons about £300.

• Unlike second guy, he said he simply cannot sign off cylinder Benchmark booklet as complying with B'Regs, because pipes are not lagged or clipped. (doesnt want to do lagging for me as it's timeconsuming work that i could do myself). Other than that he can get it to a safe and functioning level but would not want to put his name to it.
• He will also move expansion vessel to a nearby vertical joist.
• He is happy to fill in the Vaillant boiler commission list, as we have recd Gas Safe certificate so seems installer merely forgot to fill it in.
• He did add that gas pipe below boiler not being sleeved is very naughty (if GS found out they would be v angry) and that he would do that too (drill new hole from outside and sleeve it).

I see it as a toss up between the latter two - but maybe someone here could advise which of them sounds a more realistic price. i.e. is £300 suspiciously low...?

Also, if second fellow is prepared to sign cylinder Benchmark booklet - (a) is that suspicious seeing as third guy isn't; (b) conversely, is that a good reason to go for him, as that way i will have the cylinder signed off and notified.