Anyone know a good gas fire installer?
Posted by: Jonathan Gorse on 18 December 2005
Hi folks,
Just bought a living flame gas fire and so now need to find a competent gas fitter to put it in. It's a powerflue because there is no chimney and we will need a new hearth and marble fireback as well as wood surround to be fitted on what is an outside wall. Gas will need to be piped from the consumer unit in the garage round the outside of the house a distance of around 25-30 feet to the lounge wall and then be brought inside.
A colleague at work has recommended a chap who has just been around to give an estimate and he has quoted £550-600 which is for him and his assistant for one day.
He seems nice enough, claims to have worked for British Gas in the past but he didn't have the Corgio photo ID so I'm trying to figure out whether to use him. Obviously the fact that he fitted a central heating system for a colleague who is happy and then fitted another system for their Daughter is a good positive recommendation. I have to say he's the only one who has reliably phoned us back every time - most of the gas fitters don't even bother phoning back - I have already tried all the local Corgi registered ones for my postcode area.
So if anyone knows any good gas fitters in the SUrrey area feel free to recommend them.
Apart from that:
1. Does this quote seem reasonable?
2. Would you use someone a colleague recommended even if not Corgi registered?
Many thanks,
Jonathan
(Who has been trying to get this fire fitted in time for Christmas for over a month but got nowhere!) The only reason this guy can do it is because he was scheduled to do a gas installation in a new-build house but the house build has been delayed so he now has a slot free before Christmas.)
Just bought a living flame gas fire and so now need to find a competent gas fitter to put it in. It's a powerflue because there is no chimney and we will need a new hearth and marble fireback as well as wood surround to be fitted on what is an outside wall. Gas will need to be piped from the consumer unit in the garage round the outside of the house a distance of around 25-30 feet to the lounge wall and then be brought inside.
A colleague at work has recommended a chap who has just been around to give an estimate and he has quoted £550-600 which is for him and his assistant for one day.
He seems nice enough, claims to have worked for British Gas in the past but he didn't have the Corgio photo ID so I'm trying to figure out whether to use him. Obviously the fact that he fitted a central heating system for a colleague who is happy and then fitted another system for their Daughter is a good positive recommendation. I have to say he's the only one who has reliably phoned us back every time - most of the gas fitters don't even bother phoning back - I have already tried all the local Corgi registered ones for my postcode area.
So if anyone knows any good gas fitters in the SUrrey area feel free to recommend them.
Apart from that:
1. Does this quote seem reasonable?
2. Would you use someone a colleague recommended even if not Corgi registered?
Many thanks,
Jonathan
(Who has been trying to get this fire fitted in time for Christmas for over a month but got nowhere!) The only reason this guy can do it is because he was scheduled to do a gas installation in a new-build house but the house build has been delayed so he now has a slot free before Christmas.)
Hi Jonathan,
If I was in your position I would ring the chap and ask for his Corgi reg no. or Operative ID. You absolutely must have your work done by a correctly regulated fitter or your house insurance will be invalid/you could die a horrible firey death etc.
If it turns out he isn't registered then I would thank him for his support in calling you back etc but politely say you can't possibly employ him because Corgi registration is an absolute must.
As for the quote, your installation sounds a little more involved than most. I'm just going through the motions of getting someone to fit a new fire in my house, which is a simpler job and thus cheaper, but my initial estimate seems pro-rata in-keeping with yours.
If you can get an id from him, you can check it with Corgi on this web page: Corgi Installer Check
There's also a phone number on the page that you can ring if you can't find his details on the site.
And maybe jumpers would make a nice present for each member of your family come next Sunday?
Good luck!
Rich.
If I was in your position I would ring the chap and ask for his Corgi reg no. or Operative ID. You absolutely must have your work done by a correctly regulated fitter or your house insurance will be invalid/you could die a horrible firey death etc.
If it turns out he isn't registered then I would thank him for his support in calling you back etc but politely say you can't possibly employ him because Corgi registration is an absolute must.
As for the quote, your installation sounds a little more involved than most. I'm just going through the motions of getting someone to fit a new fire in my house, which is a simpler job and thus cheaper, but my initial estimate seems pro-rata in-keeping with yours.
If you can get an id from him, you can check it with Corgi on this web page: Corgi Installer Check
There's also a phone number on the page that you can ring if you can't find his details on the site.
And maybe jumpers would make a nice present for each member of your family come next Sunday?
Good luck!
Rich.