I will not use again. Dreadful
Heatshine were employed to remove anthracite boiler and install an oil tank and boiler, the system needed cleaning and some old radiators replaced.
2 staff arrived on Day 1. I explained my cat was shut in a bedroom. If they wanted access I would move her. I had put a notice on the door to remind them. This was ignored.
Problems started when they began opening pipes. They used a vacuum to remove water from the work area, but leaked onto the floor. They had no cloths, dust sheets, pots or containers to catch water, creating a dangerous slippery floor. They drained the heating system into the septic tank. The device they called “the Mag” was known to leak as it arrived in large plastic trug. Later the trug spilled filthy black liquid. Neither knew if the chemicals used were suitable to go in septic tank.
They went on to attempt moving the anthracite boiler. They had no trolley, no boards to protect the floor and no rollers to move the boiler. They stopped when I said they were financially responsible for damage to the tiled floor. The following day they arrived with 2 battered pieces of board and a newly purchased trolley but no way to take the trolley over a step.
The pipework needed connecting. I rejected attempt 1 as it was so bad, with burnt solder and sloppy bending of copper. I was told there is “not room” for plumbing behind kitchen units where previous pipes had been.
Next morning I refused to have these staff back. My problems were dismissed with “he is young, he has to learn” and “houses have to change”. Neither of the staff are apprentices, one being OFTEC registered the other GAS SAFE. I was not expecting incompetent and unskilled staff.
Other staff appeared. Pipe work attempt 3, later proved to have dented pipe surfaces and leaked. The pipe work in this one area had 4 attempts and 3 people’s work. The main house earthing is in the same area. The trunking for that is now charred and melted in 2 places.
Installing the boiler. I was told without consultation that the pipes would go up the middle of the wall and over a door then up to the ceiling. I was told the wire would be cable tied to the pipes. This was unacceptable to me. This company’s lack of respect for my home and a ‘shove it it in anywhere, least effort’ attitude was apparent. The wire used is heat resistant to conductive heat, not external heat. Heatshine agreed to use trunking. I found later the trunking was not stuck to the wall.
So determined were they to install pipes across the wall that without consulting me the water inlet for the washing machine was cut. The waste pipe was also cut at an angle so the washing machine pipe attachment could not be fitted. They installed new pipe across the waste pipe anyway.
Trunking to carry wire to the controls was fitted on top of existing chasing. They ignored the wall attachments for existing wall units that then couldn’t return to their position.
For one old radiator, I suggested a new one but was dismissed. The laminate floor would be ruined by water. The one competent plumber had a non-leaking water vacuum and dust sheet. The blocked radiator went outside to be cleaned but not by the competent plumber. They had no hose so helped themselves to mine. They had no mallet to move silt so used a screwdriver handle, chipping the paint. Next day I found the radiator had only been reconnected at one end.
An email I sent before they had completed work, asking about filling a hole they left in the wall by the boiler, received no response.
Before completion, their office called. She said they had lost money because the job had taken longer. Had work been completed properly first time and competent staff available, the job would finished on time. Hours were wasted waiting for a part and the only person able to work on electrics left for a meeting.
Over ten days 7 staff worked at my house. 6 of them had a ‘shove it in anywhere’ lack of pride in their work. This company’s work was dreadful.
I paid a different company to re-install the washing machine.
May 30, 2024
Unprompted review
