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Gas Works

Replacing old gas fire with a new one, terms of business

Anonymous user 23/02/2024 - 3.43 PM

Hi Everyone I have old Valor Homflame super , which I want to replace with a new gas fire. Liz the lady in the I approached a local gas fire showroom where I was shown a selection of gas fires on display. Liz the lady in the showroom arranged for a chap to pop round to disconnect my old gas fire check pipework advise size, check chimney, she said he was gas safe. I paid £100 cash up front for this. She wouldn’t accept a cheque. She gave me an invoice with a breakdown of what was required but no business address or name just a squiggled signature. The chap arrived, switched the gas off at the restrictor, disconnected the gas from the gas fire and checked the restrictor wasn’t leaking gas. Unbolted the gas fire from the wall. There are breeze blocks protruding either side or top of the gap which he said need to be chiselled back. He didn’t do a smoke test. I showed him the brochure and he advised which slim line radiant gas fire would fit. I contacted her today to discuss ordering and price, no gas fire chosen or price agreed. She said her terms of business are full payment up front before the work has begun. A couple of questions here. Is £100 a bit steep i feel it was but i had no choice? Also, Is this usual to want full payment up front and should I look elsewhere?

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2 Answers

Gaswork [Domestic - Commercial - LPG]

Rating: 5 out of 5

Newcastle Upon Tyne

£100 sounds a bit too much! Regardless I would pay after the job is done and certified! In the certificate it should state the gas engineers name and gas safe no which would prove that it was done by a competent person. I wouldn’t hand money over first….

Answered8 November 2021

TS Gas Heating Plumbing

Rating: 5 out of 5

Grimsby

Robert - you went into a shop - you discussed your needs with them - she arranged a person to call and do certain things - she either employs that guy or has sub contracted him to do the job - if he is Gas Safe accredited he has trained and paid for that training/ that knowledge and experience in doing what he did - both scenarios have overheads and profits to make and factor in - not just a per hour wage - it was a price you agreed before you could have cancelled but appears thought about it afterwards. Some businesses now operate a monies up front policy due to time wasters / dodgy customers / non payers - if you do not like that then shop around away from this shop / business. If that shop has 10 customers wanting fires at 500.00 each plus the Labour fees at 300.00 fitting then that is £8.000 to be collected. All businesses / trades people operate differently depends on size / experience etc I would be shopping around it’s a big world out there - seek ideas from relatives friends etc or direct with the fire makers as they may employ trades direct. As for the standard of gas work or methods used and any tests done if you have issues as to the status certified or non certified report to Gas Safe on line. Hope you get sorted and progressed. As for asking if it was steep and another person responding one persons price always differs from the next - you pay for advice and the knowledge not just what he did actions wise thanks

Answered3 December 2021