<warning of rant below>
I'm starting on taking on contractors for the full refurbishment of a grade II listed 5 storey north london town house - its a large project and definitely not one that I fancy doing DIY even if I had the necessary skills. While I have a general builder, I had wanted an experienced relatively local heating engineer to specify & install the heating etc so that the same company can maintain the system in the long term. So having read through this forum for regular professional posters that appear knowledgeable on the points that I have concerns about & local to where I am I emailed one of them (he is someone that posts on here a lot btw) asking him to quote on the job. I have never had any contact with him before:
"I saw your posts on DIYNot so thought I would drop you a line. I am about to start a total refurbishment of a 5 storey georgian town house on [address]. We will be replacing all the pipes back to the water main as current pipes are narrow lead ones. Key requirement is (no suprises here) excellent shower pressure on the bathrooms on the 2nd & 3rd Floors. We are also looking to have underfloor heating in the basement (area 5m x 8m, of which 2 areas 3m x 1.3m and 4m x 5m will need to be heated).
I wonder whether you'd be interested in speccing & quoting on the supply & installation of the heating & hot water system? Will be interested in your view as to whether the existing mains pressure is sufficient or whether you would recommend a sealed storage tank/pump or accumulator to ensure there is good pressure at the top shower (15m above the mains inlet).
We haven't finalised the schedule of works for the main contractor so we'll need to discuss who is responsible for the non specialist work (e.g. running the pipes, installing radiators & plumbing in the saniatory wear)."
To my astonishment I got the following response:
"We dont give free advice or specs for jobs!
I doubt that our quotes would interest you either as you probably prefer cheap Polish workers.
I dont think UFH is a good idea in your basement but presumably you know better?
Regards"
I read on here from a lot of English tradesmen (and I am english also btw) complaining about East European builders etc, but if their first response to a new enquiry is to refuse to quote, then insult the potential client's intentions around price/quality and finally then add in a gratituitous jibe about the client's lack of knowledge, then I really don't think that he or anyone else should be surprised if more & more work continues to be given to new entrants who, in my experience on other projects, are keen to get work, do a professional job and are courteous.
<rant over>
I'm starting on taking on contractors for the full refurbishment of a grade II listed 5 storey north london town house - its a large project and definitely not one that I fancy doing DIY even if I had the necessary skills. While I have a general builder, I had wanted an experienced relatively local heating engineer to specify & install the heating etc so that the same company can maintain the system in the long term. So having read through this forum for regular professional posters that appear knowledgeable on the points that I have concerns about & local to where I am I emailed one of them (he is someone that posts on here a lot btw) asking him to quote on the job. I have never had any contact with him before:
"I saw your posts on DIYNot so thought I would drop you a line. I am about to start a total refurbishment of a 5 storey georgian town house on [address]. We will be replacing all the pipes back to the water main as current pipes are narrow lead ones. Key requirement is (no suprises here) excellent shower pressure on the bathrooms on the 2nd & 3rd Floors. We are also looking to have underfloor heating in the basement (area 5m x 8m, of which 2 areas 3m x 1.3m and 4m x 5m will need to be heated).
I wonder whether you'd be interested in speccing & quoting on the supply & installation of the heating & hot water system? Will be interested in your view as to whether the existing mains pressure is sufficient or whether you would recommend a sealed storage tank/pump or accumulator to ensure there is good pressure at the top shower (15m above the mains inlet).
We haven't finalised the schedule of works for the main contractor so we'll need to discuss who is responsible for the non specialist work (e.g. running the pipes, installing radiators & plumbing in the saniatory wear)."
To my astonishment I got the following response:
"We dont give free advice or specs for jobs!
I doubt that our quotes would interest you either as you probably prefer cheap Polish workers.
I dont think UFH is a good idea in your basement but presumably you know better?
Regards"
I read on here from a lot of English tradesmen (and I am english also btw) complaining about East European builders etc, but if their first response to a new enquiry is to refuse to quote, then insult the potential client's intentions around price/quality and finally then add in a gratituitous jibe about the client's lack of knowledge, then I really don't think that he or anyone else should be surprised if more & more work continues to be given to new entrants who, in my experience on other projects, are keen to get work, do a professional job and are courteous.
<rant over>
