Right, well what happened was I fitted a new heating system and plumbing distribution with circulated hot water to a large country house.
The boiler was initially going to go outside (oil fired) - on the day we started, the customer asked why the boiler couldn't go inside, down in the basement (where the existing boiler was). Bear in mind this had all been discussed at length. Anyway.
I looked at it. There was suitable drainage for the condensate, and it was a good place to distribute the heating pipe work from a low loss header......
Anyway, so I made a last minute change of plan and agreed it (mistake number one).
We run the whole system in copper. Clipping with munsen rings, and doing a damn good job in my opinion.
I quickly generated a adendum to the quote that I was planning to utilise the existing flue liner, and if it wasn't suitable I would not accept the cost of the new one.
Everything went to plan, new unvented cylinder, boiler oil line sorted with fire valve and brought up to current regs. I then had to organise a bespoke flue, as we couldn't get the appropriate joins on the flue to meet the old liner.
I had forseen this and have had to do it once in the past, without issue.
I called the manufacturer and a specialist company that makes bespoke flues. They visit site. I am told I need to replace the flue liner, to cutlery grade, lined stainless steel and the cost for the new flue will be a couple of grand. The client said there was no way he was paying this extra cost as I was the heating engineer and as such I should know this. I accepted this and agreed to absorb the extra cost.
The client said he was happy to liase with the bespoke flue company and assured me he would pay the final amount minus their costs. I said I would prefer to stay on site, and organise things.
By this time I'm getting twitchy as I see him lie to the listed building control people, and knock another tradesmen, picking holes in perfectly acceptable work.
That evening I get an email saying that he was concerned that I was willing to leave the installation with a substandard flue liner that could have posed a risk to his family and he would still pay me, but didn't want me back on site.
I called him, and we argued. He basically said he wanted the whole installation (everything) checked by a third party and for me to absorb the cost and for me to absorb the cost of any remedial work they suggested. (Which is an insult).
I went to the property the next day to discuss it with him. But he wasn't there (he doesn't live there - or didn't). I'm then told I won't be allowed in at the electric gates next time.
So that's where we left it. he told me if I want to speak to him, I need to do so via a solicitor. I have spoken to one, in much more detail than this, and been told I will win my day in court, but not to expect every penny I'm owed.
Its a knocker to your confidence as you question yourself.
I have another boiler to replace in a big house, in a basment. Will need a new bespoke flue and liner. I tried to turn it away today. Twice, but this existing customer really wants me to do it.
Think that about covers it. I'm owed £11,250.
The boiler was initially going to go outside (oil fired) - on the day we started, the customer asked why the boiler couldn't go inside, down in the basement (where the existing boiler was). Bear in mind this had all been discussed at length. Anyway.
I looked at it. There was suitable drainage for the condensate, and it was a good place to distribute the heating pipe work from a low loss header......
Anyway, so I made a last minute change of plan and agreed it (mistake number one).
We run the whole system in copper. Clipping with munsen rings, and doing a damn good job in my opinion.
I quickly generated a adendum to the quote that I was planning to utilise the existing flue liner, and if it wasn't suitable I would not accept the cost of the new one.
Everything went to plan, new unvented cylinder, boiler oil line sorted with fire valve and brought up to current regs. I then had to organise a bespoke flue, as we couldn't get the appropriate joins on the flue to meet the old liner.
I had forseen this and have had to do it once in the past, without issue.
I called the manufacturer and a specialist company that makes bespoke flues. They visit site. I am told I need to replace the flue liner, to cutlery grade, lined stainless steel and the cost for the new flue will be a couple of grand. The client said there was no way he was paying this extra cost as I was the heating engineer and as such I should know this. I accepted this and agreed to absorb the extra cost.
The client said he was happy to liase with the bespoke flue company and assured me he would pay the final amount minus their costs. I said I would prefer to stay on site, and organise things.
By this time I'm getting twitchy as I see him lie to the listed building control people, and knock another tradesmen, picking holes in perfectly acceptable work.
That evening I get an email saying that he was concerned that I was willing to leave the installation with a substandard flue liner that could have posed a risk to his family and he would still pay me, but didn't want me back on site.
I called him, and we argued. He basically said he wanted the whole installation (everything) checked by a third party and for me to absorb the cost and for me to absorb the cost of any remedial work they suggested. (Which is an insult).
I went to the property the next day to discuss it with him. But he wasn't there (he doesn't live there - or didn't). I'm then told I won't be allowed in at the electric gates next time.
So that's where we left it. he told me if I want to speak to him, I need to do so via a solicitor. I have spoken to one, in much more detail than this, and been told I will win my day in court, but not to expect every penny I'm owed.
Its a knocker to your confidence as you question yourself.
I have another boiler to replace in a big house, in a basment. Will need a new bespoke flue and liner. I tried to turn it away today. Twice, but this existing customer really wants me to do it.
Think that about covers it. I'm owed £11,250.
