Landlord Gas Certificate Check - who's best?

[EH11]

I am due to get a new Landlord Gas Certificate check next month and have been shopping about for the best deal. Does anyone have any advice on who offers the best deal and how much it comes in at? In addition to the cost of the certificate, are there any good deals for a monthly service plan which would include the certificate at a discount? Wondering if by being on a monthly plan, there may be a discount? The system is quite new but i'd appreciate hearing what other people have found to be the best deal?

Thanks in advance.

[Paragon]

Local Corgi plumber in London did two of my flats for £60 cash each. Proper certificates immediately with copies for the tenants.

[P.Pilcher]

Shortly before I acquired my first BTL property, I scanned the local paper to find a Corgi Registered engineer. I telephoned a few and settled on a "One Man Band." This particular engineer has been my Corgi inspector ever since. We have, over the years developed an excellent working relationship, he knows the gas installations in all my properties and always gives me plenty of notice when a fire or boiler is coming to the end of it's working life so that it's replacement can be scheduled, usually during the summer. It has certainly worked for me.

P.P.

[bunny]

I concur with all the advice given.

I have several corgi guys, all one man bands. I operate in different areas but some overlap. It's always best to have a backup just in case one can't fit you in/on holiday etc. They are all really good, can be a pain in the arse at times with diary management but I know to remind them now which they don't mind, but they will pull a rabbit out of a hat for me when push comes to shove and they always get my appreciation for that.

It does take time to build relationships like this though so my thoughts are:

Always be polite to trades people (good ones can pick and choose, mine are still very busy even in this climate)

However, don't be afraid to push them a bit on timescales and tell them your expectations. I don't like for me or my tenants to be kept waiting so if they can't make the appointment or are running late (which happens in their line of work sometimes) to phone to tell me. My training of them has paid dividends now!

If you have several properties, or more business, let them know you are a going to be a repeat customer.

Pay promptly!!!!!!!! I would say this is one of the most important. My trades are never kept waiting for money, in fact I chase them for invoices sometimes! Very often they have poor paying clients, show them you aren't one of them.

However, do check their credentials first and foremost and ensure they are a) doing what you ask and b) aren't trying to sell you something you don't need. My guys know me and my standards now and they know I could just pop up any time!

To be honest I don't really bother with maintenance contracts, with the exception of maybe old boilers of which I don't have many.

For gas checks I pay between £35 and £50 each but that's up north!

[mind the gap]

I concur with all the advice given.

I have several corgi guys, all one man bands. I operate in different areas but some overlap. It's always best to have a backup just in case one can't fit you in/on holiday etc. They are all really good, can be a pain in the arse at times with diary management but I know to remind them now which they don't mind, but they will pull a rabbit out of a hat for me when push comes to shove and they always get my appreciation for that.

It does take time to build relationships like this though so my thoughts are:

Always be polite to trades people (good ones can pick and choose, mine are still very busy even in this climate)

However, don't be afraid to push them a bit on timescales and tell them your expectations. I don't like for me or my tenants to be kept waiting so if they can't make the appointment or are running late (which happens in their line of work sometimes) to phone to tell me. My training of them has paid dividends now!

If you have several properties, or more business, let them know you are a going to be a repeat customer.

Pay promptly!!!!!!!! I would say this is one of the most important. My trades are never kept waiting for money, in fact I chase them for invoices sometimes! Very often they have poor paying clients, show them you aren't one of them.

However, do check their credentials first and foremost and ensure they are a) doing what you ask and b) aren't trying to sell you something you don't need. My guys know me and my standards now and they know I could just pop up any time!

To be honest I don't really bother with maintenance contracts, with the exception of maybe old boilers of which I don't have many.

For gas checks I pay between £35 and £50 each but that's up north!

Bunny if you can get a CP12 for that much in Newcastle, please pm me the details!

Many thanks

MTG

[bunny]

Bunny if you can get a CP12 for that much in Newcastle, please pm me the details!

Many thanks

MTG


Sorry, my £35 man only works a very small area for me. He just fitted me a boiler for £300 which included a gas cert as it was due and there was a fire plus all the call outs to the failing boiler to keep it going as my client didn't want to change it. I thought that was a good deal.

Can't even persuade him to do my others in the same city so Newcastle is a no no!. He's doing two for me on Tuesday next week - yippee. Otherwise it's £50 boo hoo!

He also did a callout to assess a leak which turned out to be my insurance claim running into £1000s and did a temporary fix, also fixed two radiator valves and didn't charge me a bean despite me offering.:D I'll keep my (grumpy) little gem to myself!

[P.Pilcher]

Bunny's advice is really spot on, especially with regard to payment. After all, we are paid rent in advance so why should we wait to pay a tradesman's invoice? We shouod not have the cash flow problems of the many businesses who have to wait interminable periods before they are paid for goods supplied e.t.c.

P.P.

[EH11]

thanks to all for useful advice.

I paid £80 inc vat for boiler and gas cooker check. Not as cheap as some on this thread but still much better than BG and the likes, so not complaining.

Paid quickly and hopefully it'll be the start of a good working relationship.

[Poppy]

The price is not unreasonable. I hope you realise that the boiler was certificated for gas safety, not serviced.

[sensible]

In Birmingham i'm paying an average of £45 per CP12 and £5 for any additional appliance (eg; gas fire). I used to give plenty of work to a guy who charged me £30 for a GSC, £200 to swap over a boiler and excellent service. However that didn't last long. Prices started rising at an alarming rate and when i found out he hung a radiator sing nails in the brackets rather than screws it was time for good bye...:p

From personal experience i'd say go for a one man band who charges reasonable 'going' rates. British Gas homescare agreements are pretty good, however i have blatantly caught BG lying to me on one occassion and i'm not too confident with their engineers willingness to fix a problem (much easier to recommend a new boiler).