Fireplace - Expensive Quote?

[Diver Fred]

The sad thing is, she has plenty of halogen heaters.

I have got a bit more information today.

She's convinced herself that a condemned fireplace means she can't sell the house or that she would be responsible if owners used it after she sold it.

No certificate was left indicating why it was condemned, so it's totally unclear what the issue is. It don't think it was even capped.

She's paid a deposit in advance and also feels like she is now tied into going ahead, no works have been carried out yet.

I tried my best to point out that she could be spending an awful lot of money no reason, but she feels committed now.

Surely she has a regular service on the gas fire. Any good, registered gas technician should advise her any likely issues and supply a report. Has her fire been serviced recently?

 

[dishman]

She had not used it for a long while before getting the EDF person to do a check.

She also indicated that she struggled to find a gas safe contractor willing to test/service it.

Her main stress was the idea that she could not sell the house with a condemned fireplace.

A deposit has already been made, which I guess some of which might be non-refundable. Other than a person coming round to do a check/assessment/measuring-up, no actual work has taken place yet though.

But, it's at the stage where I would be putting pressure on her to cancel it, and she is of the age/generation where the idea of pulling out of an agreement would cause her a lot of stress.

Sadly I think I came too late to stop it. I've made my attempt to help.

 

[dilalio]

but i would like to see the warning label for reason of condemning it in first place

+1

 

[dilalio]

She also indicated that she struggled to find a gas safe contractor willing to test/service it.

What's the location?
May be someone on here who can visit?

 

[dilalio]

But, it's at the stage where I would be putting pressure on her to cancel it, and she is of the age/generation where the idea of pulling out of an agreement would cause her a lot of stress.

She needs to speak to an independent GS person, even if over the phone first and then an inspection. 3 quotes is standard recommendation.

 

[robinbanks]

How much was the deposit? If it's non-refundable it doesn't mean that overall she won't get a better deal even if it is lost

 

[CountryFan]

Her main stress was the idea that she could not sell the house with a condemned fireplace.

I’ve not dealt with many house sales so couldn’t give a definitive answer, but I don’t think it would make much difference. Not everyone likes or use gas fires, they could possibly fit new depending on what the issue is, or rip it out anyway.

 

[Old Salt]

If there is no paperwork from edf and its not capped it probably just needs a service. Better to lose the deposit rather than thousands.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

How much was the deposit? If it's non-refundable it doesn't mean that overall she won't get a better deal even if it is lost

A shame to onvest so much money, in such a low efficiency gas fire, when a new owner might rip it all back out, to install a high efficiency one. Choice of heater style, is best left to the new owner, or at least install a cheap, high efficiency heater, then leave it to the new owner.

 

[DP]

get a local guy to come out and check it and do the relevant tests .
If they condemned it they would have to leave paper work and also disconnect and cap it by law
Perhaps she has misunderstood them . They might have said the fire is not that good and COULD be dangerous .
She should have a cooling off period have a look on citizens advice site

Unless I am going senile, does the existing fire not require ventilation which often is not provided Gas

 

[gas112]

Unless I am going senile, does the existing fire not require ventilation which often is not provided Gas

DGF yep unless MI`s say not required

 

[polesapart]

Unless I am going senile, does the existing fire not require ventilation which often is not provided Gas

DFE so yes, 100cm2 free area required.

I reckon the EDF monkey was not qualified on open-flue heaters, noted the visible staining on the rear bricks of the builders opening , decided "safety first", put the wind up the customer and f*cked off. An experienced RGI might well find otherwise.

None of us here can judge whether the fire is safe to use or not.

Get the fire serviced and checked. (FWIW yes I do hold the relevant qualification)

 

[dishman]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I did my best.

I rang a local gas safe guy, who was of the same opinion as me and many comments above.

He was more than happy and qualified to come and do all the relevant tests.

But alas, despite this information the elderly neighbour feels it is beholden upon her to continue with the install.

I left her the contact details of the person. I also explained that pulling out of the install at this point was not a problem, and the law was on her side, and she might just lose a tiny bit of deposit or something, if that.

But, to no avail.

I have had to tread a fine line as me making her aware and offering to help her further was starting to have the effect of causing her more stress, than just letting her spend her money and get on with it.

I was basically a few weeks too late in helping her avoid this.

As long as she has the information and the ability to make a decision herself, which she does. She's not going into it blind any more. I've done my bit.

 

[CountryFan]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I did my best.

I rang a local gas safe guy, who was of the same opinion as me and many comments above.

That’s because some of us are gas safe registered engineers, so we know what we’re talking about

 

[Justin Passing]

@dishman well done for doing your best.

Minor note - if it came to a house sale one can just get the the fire gas supply capped off.

If there is a liner in there check if they replace it. Or as you say, maybe better - don't ask!