How not to get ripped off?

[Birksy]

Hi there
My boiler definitely needs the attention of a CORGI registered plumber, but I don't know how to compare the quotes I'm getting.

Am I better to go with someone charging a call-out fee inclusive of the first hour's work, or someone just quoting for the likely problem?

The diagnosis seems to mostly be agreed that it sounds like a valve or motor problem (the hot water boiler is working, but the water is cold/lukewarm). I'm really broke at the moment, so I'm worried the cost is going to escalate past my means to pay!

 

[Slugbabydotcom]

My crystal ball says that you have a worcester with a knackered diverter valve ? We are all practising clairvoyants on this site so please let me know if I was right or not so I can hone my skills.

Anyway about a corgi guy. My idea of the best way to get one is to wander into a local gas spares stockist and ask the guy behind the counter who does a good job at reasonable cost. They know who buys what and who is who. They also get all the gossip so can tell you who is dodgy or pricey and who isnt.
After that try www.corgi-gas-safety.com for your nearest local installer.
Re charging policy. A price is a price and an hourly rate is an open chequebook. Its a luck of the draw thing really, more dependent on who you get to do the job

 

[Birksy]

It's an ancient Saunier Duval but you could still be spot on with the diverter valve, I'll keep you posted!

Nice idea about the suppliers, I take it they advertise in the B2B trade press or something, or might I find one on yell.com?

I notice there are a few IPHE registered CORGI plumbers in my area, is this a good recommendation or pretty meaningless?

 

[kevplumb]

model

 

[Birksy]

A System 400/40 fanned flue sealed system

 

[Slugbabydotcom]

It's an ancient Saunier Duval

If you were to see my other posts you would find that I'm the last man standing when it comes to trying to keep an old boiler alive. Not for these though and even though these were the bees knees when they first came out they have been well superceded now.
If you get this fixed now its time to start saving for a replacement I would say.

 

[Birksy]

Yeah, kinda regretting remortaging to replace the windows now!

If I were to buy a new one, what would be the bees knees now? (Or the bees elbows if they're a bit cheaper...?)

 

[DP]

I am in Glasgow (Bearsden actually). I will carry out a diagnostic check on the boiler with you present. Then you will be advised what is wrong and what needs to be replaced. If you decide not to go ahead with repairs, I will 9normally) charge £50.00 for diagnosing the defect and pointing the defective component out to you.

It is difficult to quantify what the charge is to be unless one is in front of the boiler. Forget the method how someone charges, you want someone who can locate the fault and offer a repair for a price. Someone may charge by the hour (which looks attractive), but he may elongate the task and pad the replacement item heavily

Sometimes it can take time to locate the defect as it may not be straightforward, so diagnostic charge will be greater (as it has taken longer)

May just mean your boiler has not been serviced and is running 'rich' with plenty of carbon and no heat into system water- such a boiler must be shut down and attended to forthwith.

http://www.gas-news.co.uk/ can direct you to me.

Danny

 

[Agile]

We generally do a fixed price diagnostic charge as it means the client knows exactly what he is going to pay.

We don't touch Sonya Duval boilers because of their propensity to leak as soon as I set eyes on them and because they used to charge 50 p per minute for technical advice which started as five minutes of music and was followed by five minutes of bad advice.

Scotland is north of the Humber too, I hear only savages live up there?

Tony

 

[doitall]

Scotland is north of the Humber too, I hear only savages live up there?

Tony

Thats not nice Tony,

You been on the red wine again

 

[oilman]

22

 

[Birksy]

Feeling tame today, am only an adoptive Scot after all. Still drink you under the table on any booze of your choice tho...

I've got someone coming round to give a free quote so I'll see how I get on with that compared to the phone quotes.

Cheers for the help and insults guys

 

[kevplumb]

help aint a prob thats why we do it

insults however (theres always one )

 

[DP]

There is no such thing as a free meal or a free quote.

One way or another, you end up paying for it. Large companies can afford to give out free quotes but then their prices can be sky high as well. Someone else may give a 'free' quote but will then pad the price to compensate.

Very similar to going for the cheapest quote without checking what is REALLY being offered. Gives you plenty of time to regret at leisure after the event.

To Tony all I can say is I thought we were frients and partners in crime.

 

[stevesudz]

isn't a quote a fixed price whereas an estimation is an educated guess at the likely cost?