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British Gas HomeCare
by GeneralBanter
I took out boiler cover about 4 years ago mainly as it included an annual landlords safety check. About two years into the contract I had a boiler breakdown. They came out the next day and said that ideally I could do with a new boiler, at about £2800 to £3000. However I could have a new part to 'keep it going' but, guess what, it was ... not covered by the cover! Anyway, I went ahead and got this done at the 'additional' cost of £150 and the boiler was OK for a further 2 years.
Two months ago I called them to arrange the annual safety check 3 weeks before it was due, but was informed there was a SIX WEEK wait leaving me without a valid certificate for 3 weeks, a punishable offence! As it happens the boiler failed 3 days later and they sent an engineer out the next day and said they would include the safety check and certificate at the same time! Weird or what?
The lady engineer was very pleasant and told me that she had recently completed her training having previously done clerical work. The diagnosis was sludge in the system requiring a powerflush for which British Gas charge over £700. She also said they could fit a Magnaclean filter for another £300, a total of over a £1000! After I picked myself up she said 'to be honest, you are better off getting a regular heating engineer to do it, as they would be much cheaper', and she was dead right. A friend recommended a guy who did the lot for 400 quid, that's a powerflush, a Magnaclean filter and the safety ticket. I cancelled my direct debit with British Gas the next day.
As I see it they have one good point, they come out the next day at the latest if you have a heating problem. The trouble is they want your money in return for doing the bare minimum for it. Anything over and above changing a sensor or tightening a nut ends in you parting with more money. You are better off finding a good heating engineer preferably through recommendation. I have done the sums and it turns out I have paid them almost £1000 in premiums over four years plus, they have either charged me, or tried to charge me, extra whenever they have been called out.
By the way, my new engineer has quoted me £1500 to supply and fit a new boiler, around half of what British Gas wanted two years back. No wonder so many give them such a low rating. Please warn others.
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