Legal Advice

[spynage]

More fool your client I say, what would you have charged if he had called you £50+?

nothing! I look after my customers.

 

[Resu]

Heat damaged suggest loose connection, also it took the best part of a week to return with the correct RCBO??

 

[HandySparks]

They haven't got a case. They used a company who charge exorbitantly, failed to get the right part and whose guarantee is only 6 months. I wouldn't even refer it to your insurers.

London Electricians | Fast & Reliable Electricians in London - http://www.aspect.co.uk/electrician/

 

[HandySparks]

Just looked at their rates. OK, they're London, but even so! Perhaps I'll nudge my rate up in the new year.

Rates | aspect.co.uk - http://www.aspect.co.uk/rates/

Clearly one for customers with more money than sense.

 

[soms]

Thanks for all your advice! As for complaints procedures, mine is to fly round and fix whatever the problem is! I would have if they'd called me!
Backs up against the wall at the moment as I'm not working due to sick relative. Really could do without some small claims, stress hassle etc. Think I'll point them in the direction of my insurance company and see if they twist it into a faulty equipment problem! Perhaps the insurance company will ask them if they consulted me first at which point they'll have to admit they didn't.

Hopefully they will go away..

I don't run my own business but I don't believe you have done anything wrong. I wouldn't refer this to your insurers. I would imagine if your customer decided to take this to court they wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

 

[FatAlan]

Again, not an expert in consumer law but I'd write back to them and ask for more details of the fault. If there was a faulty RCBO wouldn't there be some sort of manufacturers warranty? What was the location of the heat damaged conductor? 18 months down the line a whole multitude of things may have gone on. Have these guys charged extra time as a result of them ordering the wrong part. Would a MWC be issued for a repair?

 

[Midwest]

I don't understand how the fee comes to £450. The invoice above shows two site visits, one for call out, one to fit the correct RCBO?

The customer, should of been aware of the fees charged by this company, opposed the fees you would of charged. As been asked several times OP, why didn't your customer contact you to rectify the fault?

Faced with a bill of £450, it is not unreasonable not to expect your customer to recover the costs from you, as the invoice 'suggesting' bad workmanship, and in any case you installed the now faulty product. The Consumers Rights Act 2015 allows a period of 6 years to take a claim to the small claims court for faulty goods in England. Doesn't mean the goods to last 6 years. Some manufactures (MK) offer 10 year warranties on their products, not sure what Wylex do?

It seems this company has questionable business practises, but the fees are there to see, so it shouldn't have come as a shock to your customer. Personally, I would obtain some legal advise, either with CAB or an initial consultation with a solicitor, to understand your position.

Edit 'suggest to suggesting'.

 

[richy3333]

Sorry to hiss on you're parade but I think you are up sheet creek without a paddle. The invoice suggests the conductor was not tight. The customer will maintain you were the last man in, ergo you're at fault. That said quantum should be at issue. Even crappy Wylex RCBO's can't be more than £30 trade and as you'd Fit it FOC then the claims not worth much at all. £400+ they're taking the Michael!

 

[Toneyz]

I have a client who says an RCBO failed in a consumer unit I fitted. They want compensation for the repairs undertaken by another electrician. They never called me first to allow me to rectify the problem.

What rights do they have to compensation does anybody know? I would of happily undertaken the repair myself had they asked.

Thanks

how do they no it is faulty ?on what situation do they think it should of tripped.Was work being undertaken by others and when they tested the rcbo it failed to trip in permitted time/or test button failed (we have it sometimes with a major brand ) and they replaced it.If that was the case the fairest you can be is you replace it or get it back so you can get refund and refund the cost of it back to your customer.As long as it was fitted to M.I.how can you be legilly resposable if installed correctly.

 

[Toneyz]

Also it was a good 18months after installation. Which does point more to equipment failure.

was a RCD test sticker put on the consumer unit ? Did you tell them to test quarterly? ask them when they last pushed the test button (blank look)this is why it has to be done to stop contacts sticking.

 

[Toneyz]

Sorry to hiss on you're parade but I think you are up sheet creek without a paddle. The invoice suggests the conductor was not tight. The customer will maintain you were the last man in, ergo you're at fault. That said quantum should be at issue. Even crappy Wylex RCBO's can't be more than £30 trade and as you'd Fit it FOC then the claims not worth much at all. £400+ they're taking the Michael!

Yes I just read this on the invoice loose connection,however they should of called you first and given you a reasonably amount of time to respond.

 

[rolyberkin]

My advice is to send them a polite letter saying that the equipment was unfortunately out of the manufacturers guarantee, due to the fact that you were not given the opportunity to inspect and rectify the problem you are unable to contribute to the labour costs.

Due to these facts you believe you are are not liable for refunding any costs they may have incurred which appear excessive in the circumstances given the rectification work they advise was completed.

Any lawyer will advise the same as the above and you may as well save yourself any unnecessary expense, if they come back to you then suggest that they seek legal advice and that you are prepared to defend your position in any small claims court if required.

 

[telectrix]

My advice is to send them a polite letter saying that the equipment was unfortunately out of the manufacturers guarantee, due to the fact that you were not given the opportunity to inspect and rectify the problem you are unable to contribute to the labour costs.

Due to these facts you believe you are are not liable for refunding any costs they may have incurred which appear excessive in the circumstances given the rectification work they advise was completed.

Any lawyer will advise the same as the above and you may as well save yourself any unnecessary expense, if they come back to you then suggest that they seek legal advice and that you are prepared to defend your position in any small claims court if required.

think that post is nail on head.

 

[buzzlightyear]

ask them can you see any pictures of the faulty rcbo before &after work was carried out
if I was doing a fault like that I would take a picture ! why did he pick up the wrong part
did he know what he was doing .when you find a faulty rcbo or mcb you will take note what
model number it is .

 

[Midwest]

OP's not replied in nearly a week now.