"Free" insulation, Gov Grants, Salesmen etc

[Alan_R]

So the usual cold caller salesperson came to my door regarding insulation into my house. Part of a free government grant to lower carbon emissions etc etc.

 

Im not rude so I let him say his piece but he wanted to drill a hole in the side of my house to check. I didnt fancy that so sent him packing.

 

So my questions:

 

Is it just for the companies benefit that they cold call for the business?

 

Will it really lower my energy bills?

 

Is it really 100% free?

 

and should i take up this offer or is it one to avoid?

 

Thanks

[Craig_]

We've had the cavity wall and loft insulation done by Scottish Gas for free. Seems to be a decent job, though you do have to put up with SG's usual piss-poor customer service. I assume they're touting for the business as they'll get paid from the grants, so sounds fairly legit...

[milky_26]

it is legit, have had the cavity wall insulation and loft insulation done for nowt

[The Gasman]

Some of these grants can certainly be 100%, so any reduction in your fuel bill(s) is a genuine saving.

 

I have heard that some of the company's doing this type of work directly, while legitimate, don't always do work of a very good quality.

 

You may be better using your current energy supplier(s) to carry out the work, as they will insist their contractors do work to a reasonable standard.

 

Check out this site for more information;

 

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland

[Serj Tankian]

The old man got the loft insulated for nothing but they knocked a pipe and it caused a leak and they denied doing it despite being the only people up there .Think if you are over 65 you get it free from various places and it does make a difference according to him .

[Templeton Peck]

Guys from the council are coming tomorrow to do my loft. Will update how it goes.

[Chris Benoit]

Got our loft done a couple of years back and have noticed a difference.

 

Wee word of warning, if you're in a kit house you should not have it done, some cowboys will tell you it still needs done just to get the grant money but tell them to **** off!

[heartsfc_fan]

Some of these grants can certainly be 100%, so any reduction in your fuel bill(s) is a genuine saving.

 

I have heard that some of the company's doing this type of work directly, while legitimate, don't always do work of a very good quality.

 

You may be better using your current energy supplier(s) to carry out the work, as they will insist their contractors do work to a reasonable standard.

 

Check out this site for more information;

 

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland

 

I filled in the call back service on that site. And sure be it an advisor called me back. Gave me some useful energy saving advice and I got free loft insulation (100% free) the other week.

 

Decent service.

[kevinmackenzie14]

most are free.. applyed for a couple jobs regarding salesperson and know someone that is.. there doing it for free because the uk has one of the highest carbon ommisions in the world and if its not lowered then the uk is gettin a ?1 billion fine.. so is cheaper to pay people to give it away for free rather than the ?1 billion fine.

[Currahee!]

Got our loft done a couple of years back and have noticed a difference.

 

Wee word of warning, if you're in a kit house you should not have it done, some cowboys will tell you it still needs done just to get the grant money but tell them to **** off!

 

If its timber framed it can't be done.

 

We got the front of the house done but the extension at the back couldn't be done.

 

They put air bricks in so you might still get draughts.

[Daydream Believer]

Got my loft done a while ago and it was a decent job and totally free. (waited till the lazy fat bloke who had done **** all turned his back and slipped the lad who had done all the work ?20 though)

[Alan_R]

Any one had any experience with MARK GROUP. ?

 

I let the guy come back and do the test etc and they should carry out the insulation.

 

However they are not the councils recommended supplier for the area ('Carillion' are). Now im worried they might be a bunch of crooks.

 

I know Im far too paranoid for my own good sometimes but Ive worked hard for my house and I dont want some cowboy coming out fecking anything up.

[heartsfc_fan]

Any one had any experience with MARK GROUP. ?

 

I let the guy come back and do the test etc and they should carry out the insulation.

 

However they are not the councils recommended supplier for the area ('Carillion' are). Now im worried they might be a bunch of crooks.

 

I know Im far too paranoid for my own good sometimes but Ive worked hard for my house and I dont want some cowboy coming out fecking anything up.

 

Funnily enough I was just about to post about 'The Mark Group'.

 

They are genuine, however, they chapped on my door in January (before I got Carillion to do my loft for free) and they said I could have it done.

The chap took my details and said I'd expect a call from their contact centre to arrange a date.

A week later I got a call to arrange a date, but first I had to answer a few questions. Turns out you have to be on some sort of benefit (i.e. job seekers, child benefit etc) which I'm not. The person who knocked at my door obviously didn't ask this. They apologised to me and that was that.

Whether or not this was a mistake or the cold caller was trying work on commission and chancing his luck!

 

A week later I got Carillion in. No hidden catches this time (I believe it's Midlothian and Edinburgh Councils recommended supplier). Loft insulation done.

[The Gasman]

Any one had any experience with MARK GROUP. ?

 

I let the guy come back and do the test etc and they should carry out the insulation.

 

However they are not the councils recommended supplier for the area ('Carillion' are). Now im worried they might be a bunch of crooks.

 

I know Im far too paranoid for my own good sometimes but Ive worked hard for my house and I dont want some cowboy coming out fecking anything up.

 

It's not as if this lot are any cheaper (they're all free!) so if you have any doubts, give yourself the peace of mind of going through the council, or going through your electricity or gas supplier.

 

Check out the link in the post above.

[Chris Benoit]

 

 

If its timber framed it can't be done.

 

We got the front of the house done but the extension at the back couldn't be done.

 

They put air bricks in so you might still get draughts.

 

 

Aye that's what I was meaning, can totally **** up the kit. My mate lives in an ex council estate which is all timber kits and he's had two firms at his door offering to do cavity wall insulation. ******* crooks!

[Hannibal Lecter]

Funnily enough I was just about to post about 'The Mark Group'.

 

They are genuine, however, they chapped on my door in January (before I got Carillion to do my loft for free) and they said I could have it done.

The chap took my details and said I'd expect a call from their contact centre to arrange a date.

A week later I got a call to arrange a date, but first I had to answer a few questions. Turns out you have to be on some sort of benefit (i.e. job seekers, child benefit etc) which I'm not. The person who knocked at my door obviously didn't ask this. They apologised to me and that was that.

Whether or not this was a mistake or the cold caller was trying work on commission and chancing his luck!

 

A week later I got Carillion in. No hidden catches this time (I believe it's Midlothian and Edinburgh Councils recommended supplier). Loft insulation done.

 

The cold caller isn't usually employed by the Mark group but by an outsourced sales & marketing agency. These agents work on a commission only basis and get something like ?25 for each person they sign up. Only reason I know this is one of these agencies offered me an interview but didn't tell me it would be commission only or door to door cold calling until I went along.

[CJGJ]

See below and also check out the Green Deal !!!

 

Loft and cavity wall insulation could save you hundreds of pounds each year and if you are on selected benefits British Gas may be able to install this free.^[1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find out if you could benefit from free insulation

 

 

 

Eligibility is based on:

Where you live - some postcode areas are eligible for free insulation.^[1]

OR

If someone in your household is in receipt of income related benefits.

 

 

What if I qualify?

 

It's simple to get free insulation if you qualify, just follow these three simple steps

1. Call us free 0800 086 1486 to check you can get insulation for your home.
   
2. Book your free survey at a time to suit you.
   
3. After your survey you can then arrange a time for your free installation. This can usually be done within a day and with very little fuss.
   

Next steps

 

Call us on 0800 086 1486 and we will arrange a survey of your home.

If you don't qualify but know someone you think would , then with share the warmth, you and your friend could earn ?50 each when they install insulation through British Gas.

 

 

What you could save?

Type Savings in ? Savings in CO₂ Cavity wall insulation Up to ?140 every year^[2] Around 550kg every year Loft insulation Up to ?180 every year^[2] Around 720kg every year

 

 

What does it involve?

 

If you want to find out more have a look at our step by step guide to getting insulation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To insulate your home request a call back

 

or call us on 0800 086 1450

 

 

 

 

You may also be interested in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loft insulation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Save up to ?180 a year on your energy bills with loft insulation.

Find out about insulation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cavity wall insulation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Save up to ?140 a year with cavity wall insulation which is proven to reduce heat loss.

Find out more

 

[1] British Gas installs in mainland Great Britain only. Not all homes are suitable for insulation. Offer only applies to loft and cavity wall measures recommended by an appointed surveyor. Offer includes up to ?1,000 of specialist equipment at the discretion of the appointed surveyor. Tenants must seek landlord permission. Offer only applicable to residential properties and excludes all other properties including commercial or part commercial premises. The Offer is subject to availability and subject to change or withdrawal at any time. To be eligible, a member of the household must be on eligible benefits or live within certain geographic areas, see www.britishgas.co.uk/smallprint for details.

 

[2] Savings figure source www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Energy-saving-assumptions. Actual savings depend on individual circumstances.

 

 

The Green Deal is a new, government-backed initiative which helps meet the upfront cost of making energy saving improvements to your home. Expected energy savings, over the lifetime of the products, are then used to pay back the loan through your home?s electricity bill.

If you move the loan remains with the property as the new owners enjoy the energy saving improvements you installed. As the ?Golden Rule? means the expected energy savings must be greater than the cost of the improvements, you should save energy and money, as well as doing your bit for the environment.

[chubby1973]

Carillion did my neighbour & mine last summer. be wary if you have folk living below or above you as they need to agree to the cav wall as well. already had air bricks in, but these got replaced. tidied up after themselves too. noisy as hell though, but only took an hour to do.