Dear Strachan
You presume too much and read too much on this.
I am a qualified Electronics and IT Technician (also mechanical work) and VHF/UHF, etc. Telecommunications, I worked for some of the largest Companies on Earth. Yes on Earth! and I do not have a Orange Badge.
I am a common citizen that unfortunately is in a bad 'finacial' position (and coming out of it - hopefully on top) and cannot afford to pay for a repair - especially when we get charged twice the cost of the spare part + labour (it has happened and from a reputable one!) - I had a common fault (which I did not know initially) there was the diaphrams within the divertervalve in need of replacement and they said there was not a replacement and I had to have the whole valve replaced. They cherged me £. 140 for the valve alone! + labour I do not remember how much.
Then after a month I found the diaphram for only a tenner and even the valve was less than half the price I paid and that was not a cowboy and has a reputable name around.
In the last few years I have repaired my Combi everytime without the badge and being conscious I have asked what is the procedure to do the 'GAS' side (which I obviously never touched). The only thing I do not know, so sarcasm is for fouls.
For what I have seen generally around, there are many so called qualified engineers with a orange badge that cannot see the difference from a resistor to a thermocouple etc. Also in other fields, as Electrical contractors, 'know it all' aerial installers, etc., I had a few in the last 10 years and I am very very worried of the cowboys around - note: cowboys are also within those that have a badge, as you may know.
Cowboy is also a person that has that badge and send a person un-qualified to to their job - that is unlawful too.
So, do not flame and try to be a nice person as I am trying to be.
There is no need to accuse anybody without even knowing all the facts.
Also note: the orange badge is 'only' for those that are doing it for money on other people's houses - this is the law
If there is anybody here with a conscience, it will understand my question and help us.
Thank you all of you honest guys (not the cowboys!)
By the way, I am thinking to get to that course - I presume I will get the cowboys work in a flash, as by nature I do not overcharge people and do a professional job anyway.
How much do you think it would cost me to have the gas valve replaced on a 240RSF combi?