Heatline Vizo - not firing up correctly.

[Agile]

Only the installer who is CORGI registered can issue the certificate which is actually issued by CORGI after the installation has been notified to them by the installer.

When you sell your house the HIP compiler will interrogate the local Council database and provide details showing all notifyable installations like boilers or double glazing.

Not having a CORGI install means that the situation cannot be retrieved unless the boiler is removed and reinstalled by a CORGI.

Tony

 

[mehran]

Sorry that does not wash, there are grants for low income families to help you get your central heating fix or renewed. It takes just as long and work to fit a boiler that costs 350 to one that cost 1000.

 

[workingman]

Agile,

Thanks for this helpful information.

To comment on the other two postings. Have either of you guys ever tried to get a grant? I earn £15K p.a I don't qualify for one!!! I am trying to pay a mortgage, feed myself etc.... This does not leave much leftover I can assure you. Most DIYers DIY to save money because they don't have enough. Paying out hundreds to professionals is just not an option.

I agree I do not have a right to central heating and was not assuming this at all.

But when you have it, and your boiler is stuffed and the only option is a new one what do you do? Get CORGI engineers to fit gas fires (how much will that cost?). Freeze and no hot water? Get an electric fire? Get a CORGI engineer to fit a new one, or get an unregistered plumber to install one? It is not an easy solution. Money dictates as usual in this world.

I know CORGI engineers are not charities, but their prices for fixing things and installing things are pretty high. How is the normal person to know whether a CORGI engineer is actually overcharging him or not? The ones I have come accross seemed really greedy trying to get me to buy a worcester combi and have them install it for a cost of about 2 1/2 grand!! The boiler 'only' costing around £1000.

I am happy with my Vizo, mind you the gas price increases mean I'll be using the CH less....!

 

[Nixt]

Most DIYers DIY to save money because they don't have enough. Paying out hundreds to professionals is just not an option.

I agree I do not have a right to central heating and was not assuming this at all.

But when you have it, and your boiler is stuffed and the only option is a new one what do you do? Get CORGI engineers to fit gas fires (how much will that cost?). Freeze and no hot water? Get an electric fire? Get a CORGI engineer to fit a new one, or get an unregistered plumber to install one? It is not an easy solution. Money dictates as usual in this world.

I know CORGI engineers are not charities, but their prices for fixing things and installing things are pretty high. How is the normal person to know whether a CORGI engineer is actually overcharging him or not? The ones I have come accross seemed really greedy trying to get me to buy a worcester combi and have them install it for a cost of about 2 1/2 grand!! The boiler 'only' costing around £1000.

And there's nothing to stop you doing that in your home. However your previous comments were that "CORGI need to get to grips with the fact that not all can afford high costs etc...." , which is quite a different suggestion entirely.

Also you've fallen for the same assumption that an engineers only cost is the boiler. He simply plugs it in, walks away and puts the 1.5K in his pocket until it's required after work at the pub or in the bookies. Which he can do because his subsequent jobs simply land in the diary without having to compete for them. And he can plan his life as though at no stage will work dry up at any time.

It may educate you to study everything involved in becoming a self employed trade pro, not least the costs. Then ask yourself if after all the expense you'd not expect to earn better than you do now.

 

[workingman]

Wow Nixt.....!

I have not meant to upset anyone here. I don't want to get in a heated debate here about costs and the CORGI monopoly. However...

Please educate me! Why do non registered plumbers fit boilers for far much less than CORGI ones? They have businesses to run too. I fully understand there are overheads and risks in being self-employed or running a business. I have not fallen for any assumption about engineers only cost is the boiler.

To me this guy was good - not only tightened up the PRV and directed its pipework out and down to the drain so nobody would get hurt if it blew, but also put in an automatic bypass to the system. Not just a foot below the boiler either, but as far away as he could get it. He cleaned out the pipework and radiators with chemicals I paid for and added inhibitor, ensured the condensate drained out to the drain and did not plumb it into the sink waste pipe etc... I have not had a single problem with it!!


From reading through several postings on this very good site, what I find rude is that some CORGI engineers 'seem' to be knocking any non CORGI registered person as if they are second rate, and that CORGI engineers never make mistakes and are best.

Anyhow, having spoke my mind here and apologies if I have offended any one here I do have a potential problem when I come to sell as Agile has kindly posted.

Can anybody suggest what I should do to rectify the fact I have no certificate and what I would need to do or have done if I choose to sell in the future?

I am only unhappy that he did not tell me I needed a certificate, and I guess it is this that one is paying more for from a CORGI engineer?! This guy even told me that it does not have to be a CORGI registered engineer to install the boiler. As long as the person is competent he/she can do it? Is this true? apparently a non registered engineer can install or work on boilers if they work for a CORGI registered company or boss?
This is all so confusing. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Again Agile (Tony) thank you for letting me know the importance of the certificate. Perhaps you can suggest how I could rectify my situation should I decide to sell in the future?

 

[Nixt]

Wow Nixt.....!
Please educate me! Why do non registered plumbers fit boilers for far much less than CORGI ones? They have businesses to run too.

That's the point. They can't have gas installation businesses to run if they're not CORGI registered. The most common way these prices are achieved are by those who illegally use their company reg. to work on the side (ie they're already on wages).

I don't know if this is the case for you and we all know and accept it goes on. You can DIY gas but you can't install any part of a gas carrying compoment for gain without being on the register which you can only gain with qualifications, insurance equipment etc.

I couldn't care how you've had the job done my only disagreement was with your statement that the registration body (CORGI) should do something about pricing.

 

[mehran]

Well I hope you never need me to fix your boiler because I have a nice big red label for it if we take your 'I can't afforded it so I can do things illegally' then why bother with road tax or mot's? Can’t affords even to have a car? No problem next door got a nice one lets just nick theirs

Your logic does not stand up, I am sure your going to say 'but this is different' well it is not. You picked an installer knowingly that he was illegal gas worker. If anything goes wrong you will be just as guilty as the installer

 

[simond]

The motor car analogy is a good one.

- You could get into a licensed minicab.

- Or one with an uninsured, untaxed driver with no UK licence. A car with no MOT that has been procured at the cheapest cost irrespective of its roadworthyness.


The second option is going to be cheaper because the individual offering the service has virtually no overheads. He may kill or seriously injure you. He has no insurance, and he will disappear when the going gets tough. He probably isn't paying any tax either, this would be the same tax that goes towards providing grant aided central heating installations.


We have to pass the equivalent of a three day driving test every five years. Your installer has never done one, he doesn't know what he doesn't know. Does he have a Powerflush machine, a Flue gas analyser? I thought so.

The combi market is full of unqualified chancers. Remember that the Gas Work Notification will catch you out, not them. Most unqualified and unregistered chancer installers get away with it.

When you sell the house you will be caught out and it will cost you when you need it least.

 

[Agile]

I am only unhappy that he did not tell me I needed a certificate, and I guess it is this that one is paying more for from a CORGI engineer?! This guy even told me that it does not have to be a CORGI registered engineer to install the boiler. As long as the person is competent he/she can do it? Is this true? apparently a non registered engineer can install or work on boilers if they work for a CORGI registered company or boss?

It sounds as if he has done quite a good job and you are happy with the quality and the price.

However he has told you quite a few lies and he has chosen not to tell you about the Certificated from CORGI and the notification to Building Control which is used for the HIP when you sell the house.

If you really doubt anything we tell you then you can always ask CORGI.

There are only two solutions to the HIP problem!

You can get a CORGI to reinstall the boiler properly and notify it. ( We would charge £180 for that.)

Or you can call him and tell him that he did not warn you that you needed the CORGI certificate. Tell him that you require him to correct that and get the Certificate from CORGI.

Do NOT accept ANYTHING else as NOTHING else does the job. It has to be posted to you by CORGI and it shows the name of the CORGI installer.

If he says he cannot do that then tell him that you want HIM to pay the £180 or whatever your local CORGI will charge to reinstall and notify to correct the situation.

If he refuses then you have two more solutions. Take him to the County Court where you will always win as they will take a dim view of an illegal installer!

Or if you cannot manage that for any reason then report him to CORGI and pressure CORGI to correct the situation. That will be more difficult.

If you do that then you will end up with a professionally (re)installed boiler at half the usual cost! Not the recommended route though!

Tony