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Central Heating

Should I pay for parts when boiler issue not fixed?

Anonymous user 23/02/2024 - 3.22 PM

Briefly: boiler recently packed up. Called a company out, who said PCB had gone. Next day returned with new PCB but wanted paying for it before fitting (said shop wouldn't accept it back if it was opened - is this right?). Paid up the 550. Didn't resolve the issue so he says it could be the thermostat on the board - he did also change the valve in airing cupboard. Came the following week and replaced the thermostat, boiler still not working. He then says he's got no idea what is wrong with it. So I am now stuck with a new PCB in boiler that needs to be replaced! Is this right? Should I have had to pay for the part. Also, do engineers have insurance for this situation? UPDATE (16 Feb): Thanks for the replies. Boiler is BG branded ideal boiler (BG RD1 = ideal 360?). Installed new in ~2004/2005, ideal says they don't repair this any more :( ! My point with the payment for the part was that the strong implication was that if I didn't pay for it he wouldn't fit it, agreed he was/is incompetent. Anyway, thanks for the replies and your time.

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3 Answers

QUALITY HEATING SERVICES

Rating: 5 out of 5

Exeter

I don't know of any domestic boiler with a PCB costing £550! Sounds like he's rather incompetent, yes, normal for retailers not to accept PCB once removed from packaging. I wouldn't expect payment until the boiler is fixed but I would make it clear to the customer that there may be a possibility it isn't going to be the expensive part and why i would have tried the cheaper thermostat to start with. Probably not going to get the price of the PCB back but I would query what was paid to the retailers for the part. Best to speak to the manufacturers help desk before parting with big money, they will normally have their own and independent engineers who should be able to give you a fixed price or ball park estimate to repair. I have a no fix - no fee on Baxi and Potterton branded boilers under 10 years old.

Answered16 February 2019

D & R Property and Plumbing Maintenance

Rating: 4.9 out of 5

New Romney

yes he should have public liability insurance ,but i doubt it covers this,yes most suppliers will not take it back if seal on box is broken ,what sort of company did you call out ?,most of these companies on internet send out who ever they have at the time,although most customers don't but you should ask if he is qualified to work on your boiler,not just gas safe but a boiler engineer,what make of boiler is it ?,phone manufacturer ask them to send some one ,or give you number of approved engineer,then get a report from them before you even think of paying this company.

Answered16 February 2019

Boiler Homecare

Rating: 5 out of 5

Honiton

Unfortunately you have been duped. By inviting this so called 'engineer' to your home without asking if they specialise in boiler breakdown's first you have unwittingly fallen in to a trap where the breakdown issue of your boiler is beyond the experience/knowledge of this operative, he is chancing his luck by replacing what part(s) he feels are faulty without following correct diagnostic procedures! (in other words it's just pure guess work on his part) Under no circumstances are you to pay for any part or labour, the responsibility of loss is his alone. Ask him to take the parts away and leave the boiler in the same condition he found it, then telephone another Gas Safe engineer who DOES specialises in boiler breakdown's!!!! Update: For future reference never pay for repairs to your boiler until you are satisfied that the engineer has fixed it correctly. Ask him to demonstrate that fact and also good practise is the engineer should show you the part(s) he has replaced too.

Answered18 February 2019