Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Resolved our initial issue but left us with a leaking condenser pipe and disconnected the control panel & heating and hot water stats because he didn't like the electrics, without discussing this with us first. To be clear, the wiring had always been a bit confusing but having had it that way for 18 years and knowing how it worked, it wasn't something we had envisaged doing, especially without any prior conversation about it.
No costs of materials were given up front despite me saying several times that we didn't know what he was doing or what the costs would be.
Richard then gave various excuses for not returning when he said he would, including taking a day off, putting his back out, parts not arriving on time (several times) & finishing other jobs.
He also repeatedly ignored messages and at one point suggested we got someone else in to finish the job, so he clearly just didn't want this job.
16 days after he first started, he eventually returned but didn't finish job properly. The new control panel was fitted, electrics were sorted to what he wanted, and a WiFi controller was installed despite us never having discussed or agreed it. The hot water cylinder stat was replaced but the sensor was not attached properly to the cylinder.
Richard's response when I sent him a photo of the mess he left and a message noting the backing paper was still on the metal film, he said he used what was supplied in the box to attach the sensor to the hot water cylinder, as per the instructions. However Richard didnt actually clean the cylinder or remove the backing paper from the foil so the sensor fell off within a couple of hours and has continued to do so ever since.
The heating system now works, the hot water cylinder doesn't because he didn't secure the sensor properly.
He said he would return to fix it but only once the £1150 invoice had been paid in full.
He has since sent a thermostat and strap for US to attach to the hot water cylinder ourselves, or get someone else in to finish his job, at our expense again.
The job cost us £1150 which included him making and taking multiple phonecalls to other clients, colleagues and the company of the parts he bought to find out how to install them?!?!
At once point in conversation he mentioned someone in Paddington who was trying to dispute his work/charges - that should have set alarm bells off, but I trusted him based on his Checkatrade reviews. Incidentally I have been unable to leave him a review on Checkatrade so be careful when you hire via there.
My take-aways: Lack of professional conduct, unreliable, expensive and not undertaking services with due care and attention.
Richard 'kindly' discounted his rates from £120/hr +VAT to £100 hour +VAT, (we did not ask for this but maybe there was a little bit of guilt felt?!) but he left us with so much frustration at his poor communication and lack of transparency from the outset that it was the least he could have done. The parts he provided cost in excess of £500 plus VAT, with no prior warning!
In the end he twisted so much of what happened to make it sound like he was accommodating and did everything perfectly. He did not.
I lost a client, cancelled a hospital appointment and waited home for him multiple times but he was so unreliable. I told him all of this and he couldn't care less.
It seems he does some excellent work most of the time, some certain people, but if he's not interested, be warned, you'll get a shock.
