General Chat

YIPPEEEEEEEE DOOOOO WAHOOOOOOOOO FINALLY Plumber has been (3rd time lucky) £45 and he fitted a new thermocupole (sp) Also gave us a favourable estimate should we ask him about a new boiler in the future.

we had an estimate yesterday for solar. About £3000 just for hot water. Reckons it would save us 50% - 75% on our heating bills. It is a long term investment and as I dont intend to spend the rest of my life in this house I dont think I would consider spending that much on it. Probably ideal for rural areas if there is no mains gas supply but then again if we were rural we would probably have solid fuel.

Gloryer........... you would a bl#()dy Gfreat windmill and generator to get close to what your house would require.....in electrical power, and/or acres of solar panels (plus a new cooker,,,,,,,if its gas) Bob ......

We have now phoned a 3rd plumber £5 cheaper and can do it at 8.30 tomorrow morning. Told him about the situatin and said wait until 6pm and if the 2nd plumber hasnt phoned then we can ring him to come tomorrow. What a waste of time some people are. If they dont want the job cos its to small why dont they just be honest and say. The thing I dont understand is why they cant be bothered to phone and say sorry we cant make it!!!!! Oh well roll on 6pm...........

I was hoping to shout YIPEEEEEEE BUTTTT He was due here at 9am and no phone call and no sign

we are now thinking of going solar power and we wont have all this hassle again!!!!!!!!!! or a wind generator but they cost about £700 and if we put one of those up round here it would be nicked within weeks!!!

I dont beleive it!!!!!!!!!!! Plumber was booked in for Friday 10am. At 9.30 he phoned hubby to tell him he had locked his keys in his van so now it will be monday morning!!!!!!!!!

Ours is now 8 year old which is why we decided it was time just for a maintenance check. Hubby has cleaned out all the radiators and put fernox in so we know that part is alright but the actual burners probably need a clean He could do it with a toothbrush probably but with all the regulations etc thought it best just ot treat it to a professional check . So we could have been paying £150 a year for 8 years........

I'm with you on that one Heather. Lost count of the times hubby has been called to look at units where they have told them that a bolier can't be repaired or parts not available and hubby has repaired it for a few pounds.

That seems good value, doesnt it. I have to say Im a bit dubious about British Gas deals. £160 a year? Weve had no probs with our boiler for 10 years - so £1600. Ive always had my doubts about their service - I know a chap we met on hols a couple of years back worked for them and said they actually earnt commission on telling people their boilers/appliances were duff and needed replacing.

Well the latest is my hubby phoned at 9.15 today and again an answering machine so left a message. They finally rang back at 9.45 and said that they got called out on a burst pipe so would we like to re-book. Cant do it until the 18th......... That is well out of order. they should do a bit of overtime and fit us in tonight or push back some other jobs. So he told them we are going away. Found another one that is coming tomorrow for just £45

Why don,t you get it insured with British gas,They service it every year,come out on breakdowns,and replace parts that fail,all for about £150 to £170. per year. I,ve had them for years and find its a good service. Hal.

One reason why my hubby is finding it difficult to retire - he is still getting recommendations/ old customers ringing from 20 years ago.

I now realise why my lovely hubby, who retired last friday, is receiving cards with every post and telephone calls by the score, telling him how much they are going to miss him and thanking him for so many years of wonderful service. Chrissie x

Thanks Bob. this is a well known local firm but I think it is very bad customer service not to get in touch. So now do we have to wait in all day again just incase they turn up?? I am going to work today but hubby will be here. Some of the other plumbers dont do maintenance only installations.

£55 for a boiler service seems too cheap to me. If you want proper service you have to pay the going rate - more like £80 - £100 round here. Bob

thats true Felicity but I dont want to give them the chance to send me a bill.

Why do you have to phone to cancel the first one? Hasn't he 'cancelled' himself by not turning up?

I do sympathise if they are held up in another job but as it is a firm with more then one employee it is now gone 6.30 and they still have not contacted us. Hubby is going to try to phone another plumber but felling really peee'd of about it. And if we book another plumber we will then have to phone to cancel the first one.

Well, I do sympathise, but from the other side - my hubby can be held up on a job and he just cant stop to phone anyone because he would be up to his neck if he did! Does this chap work from home? That may be why an answerphone is on, so hold on for a bit and he may be there soon. Good luck