Well after my initial post I have come back here to try and put things right.
Let me explain - there could be a lesson for all of us here.
As one of you had so rightly pointed out I had been benefiting from a very friendly arrangement with a professional plumber who has become something of a friend of mine. Careful reflection has just made me realise how much he has helped me over the years.
About 10 years ago he installed a combi boiler that we had bought for our house. He did a brilliant job and we were very happy since then.
Since then he has installed a number of boilers for us in properties we've invested in, most of which we bought ourselves. I am in the general jobbing building trade myself and charge my labour at about £17 per hour to customers. I live and work in an area where people don't have a huge amount of cash and I keep very busy by being very fair to people. For example I keep good SH taps from bathroom suites I take out and offer them free of charge to some of my customers when they need them fitted, I just charge for the fitting. I still earn a living but I do try to help people along the way.
With this guy I work with him. He helped me with a shed load of plumbiing in my own house and we work together. I don't have training as a plumber apart from mainly working with him. He taught me how to solder and use end feed as well as ring solder. I value this guy very highly.
I've known this guy for 10 years or more. I've seen him through thick and thin. When I first knew him he was working on his own, he then set up a LTD company that went well for a while. He then hit a snag with a business partner that basically ripped him off, the LTD company folded and he had to work for another firm for a while to get himself back on an even keel, then he set up on his own etc. All this time he has had time for me.
I have never moaned when he tells me how much I owe him for a job. He will tell you the money is always forthcoming. He appreciates the honesty I have. On one occasion I said I would drop some cash off to him for a job he'd done. I was ashamed to say I simply forgot. I got home and remembered and phoned him to apologize. I told him I had simply forgotten to call in on him. I had the cash with me. He appreciated my honesty.
Recently, as some of you had seen from my other thread, I had made a decision to replace a boiler in this house. He was lined up to do the change but fell ill. He put me onto this other guy.
When I got his estimate I was shocked.
However I was now looking at possibly contracting with someone at arms length. Being in the building trade, I am not used to this arrangement. When I work with contractors it tends to be alongside them. For example I will happily work with a plasterer, calling him in when the job is ready so that I just pay for him for a few hours. He gets his money, I get a good job, happy customer and my bill is paid. I made good money on an insurance job a while back thanks to my plasterer. Although I've not used this plumber on a customer's job I would have no problems in doing so.
The estimate from his fellow gas fitter shocked me because I had been protected from the rates that plumbers charge joe public. A few days ago I hadn't realised this, but now I am coming to realise this.
This isn't easy for me, admitting I was wrong, but I guess in life we all have to do this from time to time - and today it is my turn. I have to swallow a load of pride. I have to admit I over reacted.
Although it is a bit of a poor excuse, I haven't had a great time of it recently as well. Straight up - we have had to bereavements in as many months. In December we had one close relative pass away suddenly. The following day another was admitted to hospital with suspected cancer. She passed away 4 weeks later. I went to see her on average every 2 to 3 days. I also helped her change her will and put her affairs in order. We didn't really have a Christmas, but occasionally that happens. She died just under 2 weeks ago and I have had to arrange her funeral and administer her estate. I haven't worked properly for about 6 weeks, not because I have no work but because I have not had the energy or the time for it.
Coupled with this, the boiler issue has cropped up. Talk about timing.
I am not proud to admit that I don't like the person I have become over the last few days. I've been very short with people and been quick to judge. These are attributes I don't favour in people and I have been displaying them of recent.
Today I contacted the plumber who gave me the quote and asked him to call me back so we can discuss what we can do to make the job more straighforward and therefore cheaper. One option I am looking at is a system boiler install that will cut down on the work.
I also left a text for my friend who has been very good to me over the years and apologised for any sign of ungratefulness I may have displayed. He was after all trying to help. I very much hope he is better. As far as I am aware he had a bad bout of flu or similar. There is a possibility that he may be able to help me, but that is not the reason I wanted to apologise to him. I wanted to do that because he is a very genuine friend who deserves it and is entitled to it.
So where does this leave me?
I have a property without a working boiler. This needs to be sorted and is going to cost money. This has been in very short supply of late because I haven't earned it of late. Also I have been spending a small fortune on travelling. My relative spent her last weeks in hospital then a hospice 50 miles away. I have spent a fortune in petrol going to see her.
Nevertheless, the money needs to be spent.
Hence I am looking for a sensible solution.
Just as a reminder, the boiler that has failed is part of a basic boiler with a remote pump and control system. I was thinking of converting to a boiler but I understand that there is the possibility of changing to a system boiler that would pressurise the heating system and the primary circuit but leave the hot water system at the same pressure. That would suit me fine if that is the best way forward.
Now I have had a harsh introduction to the real world, I am now looking for ideas and estimates to sort this out.
I don't expect you guys to race to me to take this up, but hopefully you'll understand what has been making my mind tick.
I have a great deal of respect for your trade - I wouldn't want to give any other impression.
