Hales & Coultas Heating & Plumbing

T P Hong

2 months ago

A plumber from H&C showed up with an apprentice to install 2 kitchen taps for us. We were not being told by the office that an apprentice was coming. They each worked on 1 tap. We had a quick look at our mobile clock. They came at 3pm and left at 3:30pm. They each spent 30 minutes to install a tap. Subsequently, we received an invoice and are being charged for 1 hour and 30 minutes on-site work. We called and told H&C that the worker, with an apprentice, only spent 30 minutes on our property. 30 minutes to install a tap is about right. 1 and half hours for 1 tap is not. H&C said they go by the worker’s work sheet to issue the invoice. The invoice showed they were on site for 11/2 hours. They do not conduct internal inquiry. And it is our responsibility to provide evidence to challenge the worker’s time sheet. Meanwhile, we were reminded that customers usually have to pay for the apprentice who shows up with the worker. We were not told of this condition. With government fundings for apprenticeship training costs available, should H&C add the cost of the apprentice’s on-the-job training to the invoice, and without customers’ prior consent? We were surprised that H&C said their customers are usually OK with this practice. Lessons learned from this episode are as followed: 1) it is necessary to find a way to take photos of H&C worker(s) with the display of arrival and departure time in case of unfortunate encounter with rogue elements in their workforce, 2) inform (in writing as evidence in case something goes wrong) H&C that you only pay for the service from fully qualified workers for the job that has home safety implication. And 3) request a written quote so to be sure there are no hidden costs. It dawned on us at the end of writing this review that reputable independent qualified tradesmen is always an alternative.

Miss Sapphire

2 months ago

Dan Buley was exceptionally polite, professional. Just saying, he even got a trap hockey stick for my washing machine 😁

Ruth Jackson

4 months ago

Had my heating system replaced on the 23rd June. The 2 gentleman that came were so friendly and helpful they took great care of my home leaving it clean and tidy couldn’t praise them highly enough. They’ve done a great job very neat a credit to your company.

Dobby Nobbins

7 months ago

they made appointment then failed to turn up for a scheduled appointment without adequate or any notice. After making sure all furniture was moved for access just sent identical text for next day without even a sorry i think i was supposed to think i got my days mixed up

roy foster

7 months ago

Very efficient, polite and cleaned as they worked. We'll happy with the job and a credit to their company