Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone to rely on when things go wrong with your boiler?
Having talked to many landlords over the years and gained plenty of feedback, I’ve learned that one of the most important things to is have a point of contact.
Someone who is familiar with your property and appliances. Someone who’ll be there next month, or next year, to answer your queries.
You may NOT want to deal with one of the larger companies where there’s no personal touch, you always speak to someone different, and you have to press 5 to hang on the line.
So, how do you find a boiler installer that will see you through the years and ensure you get the best possible customer experience? Well, glad you asked.
Below, I’ve put together some things you should look out for in your next boiler installer.
Check their website
A website isn’t the be all and end all when it comes to choosing a boiler installer – I’m sure there are some great installers out there who have terrible websites.
However, it could potentially give you a good idea about a company’s background and customer values. Do they care about you as a customer? Do they work with landlords a lot?
Do they have a phone number readily available, and can you get through right away if you need to? It’s always best to scope out a company online if possible before your first point of contact. Which brings me to my next point:
Speak to them on the phone
If you have any concerns, or want to get a better idea of the services they can provide (such as CP12 certification or maintenance contract) , I’d recommend given your chosen engineer a buzz. They should help set your mind at ease and be happy to communicate with you about any worries you might have.
Also, take a mental note of how long it takes to get through to someone, as if you’re having trouble now, that’ll be the last thing you want in an emergency when your tenants are left with no heating or hot water.
Ask about your CP12
This is a very important one. Your chosen boiler installer should be able to provide a CP12 certificate for ALL the gas appliances in your property, such as fire, cooker and boiler. Check that everything will be clearly documented on your certificate, including any advisory work or defects as per gas safety regulations.
If anything is immediately dangerous, the appliance should be isolated from the gas supply. The gas meter should be checked the the pipe checked for electrical bonding.
Get a quote
If you’re looking to get a new boiler installed, or work such as replacing your boiler’s tethering, I always recommend getting at least three home visit quotes so you can compare prices and ensure you’re getting a good deal.
However, if all you’re looking for is a CP12 certificate, you’ll actually find most engineers will just tend to give you a cost over the phone rather than come to your home, as it can be quite cost prohibitive.
Build a relationship
I would always recommend for landlords to take their time picking out a good, reliable gas engineer to install a boiler and then use that same engineer to carry out their annual checks.
Building up a good relationship is always key to keeping these things running smoothly. Or, you could do it the other way around, and find a someone to do your CP12 certificate and then take his advice when the time comes to replace your boiler.
Conclusion
If you want a boiler installer you can rely on come rain, shine and snow, you need to make your choice wisely. To make sure you pick a heating engineer that will care for your boiler over the years, I’ve put together a few tips. These include:
- Check their website
- Speak to them on the phone
- Ask about your CP12
- Get a quote
- Build a relationship
The above tips are designed to ensure you get the best experience from your chosen boiler installer. Good luck!
