Brief explanation:
We have a gas boiler with a combination tank for hot water. It was installed and commissioned in November 2015. It was inspected by the chimney sweep at that time and then checked again by him in 2017 (every 2 years). When the boiler’s water pressure recently dropped to just above 1 bar (around 1.1), I wanted to have water added. I was advised not to do this myself because apparently you shouldn’t use regular tap water for it. Also, the pressure should not drop below 1 bar.
While researching online, I noticed that many people have their boiler serviced annually, and these tasks are performed during the yearly maintenance. From what I read, it seems to be a must and should definitely be done every year. So I called a local plumbing company and scheduled a service. It costs €95 net plus extra material... they also offered a maintenance contract to ensure annual service from now on.
Now my problem:
The plumber showed up shortly after 11:30 a.m. to service the gas boiler for the first time in 3 years (my wife was at home). I arrived at home at 12:00 noon (I took an early lunch break on purpose) — by then he was already gone. According to my wife, he only wiped off some dust... no water was added. I then called the company again and they confirmed that at 1.1 bar, there is no need to add water.
The invoice was already in the mailbox the next day — about €113 gross. For 20 minutes of dusting... now I’m starting to question the purpose of annual servicing... how is this handled for you?
We have a gas boiler with a combination tank for hot water. It was installed and commissioned in November 2015. It was inspected by the chimney sweep at that time and then checked again by him in 2017 (every 2 years). When the boiler’s water pressure recently dropped to just above 1 bar (around 1.1), I wanted to have water added. I was advised not to do this myself because apparently you shouldn’t use regular tap water for it. Also, the pressure should not drop below 1 bar.
While researching online, I noticed that many people have their boiler serviced annually, and these tasks are performed during the yearly maintenance. From what I read, it seems to be a must and should definitely be done every year. So I called a local plumbing company and scheduled a service. It costs €95 net plus extra material... they also offered a maintenance contract to ensure annual service from now on.
Now my problem:
The plumber showed up shortly after 11:30 a.m. to service the gas boiler for the first time in 3 years (my wife was at home). I arrived at home at 12:00 noon (I took an early lunch break on purpose) — by then he was already gone. According to my wife, he only wiped off some dust... no water was added. I then called the company again and they confirmed that at 1.1 bar, there is no need to add water.
The invoice was already in the mailbox the next day — about €113 gross. For 20 minutes of dusting... now I’m starting to question the purpose of annual servicing... how is this handled for you?
ypg schrieb:
Yes, maintenance should be carried out regularly every year. Otherwise, there is no warranty. Like with a car.That is not entirely accurate. If a contract based on the German Construction Contract Procedures (VOB) has been signed for the installation, it is possible to obtain a warranty through such a maintenance agreement that goes beyond the standard 2-year defect liability period under the VOB.
On the other hand, if the installation has been commissioned under the German Building Code (Baugesetzbuch), the client generally receives a 5-year defect liability period for "buildings" under the Building Code (depending on the scope and type of work on the heating system; this is very likely the case for a complete new installation).
Dr Hix schrieb:
Whoever has commissioned the installation according to the Building Code usually also receives the 5-year warranty under the Building Code for "structures" (depending on the scope and type of work on the heating system; in this case, very likely applicable as a complete new installation).Anyway... we followed the VOB, which implies a similar approach... the rest is also stated "according to the Building Code" in the fine print 😉
We do not have a maintenance contract. Quote from the plumber: "Remember to schedule it every winter, we’re happy to come."
That’s how I handle it with my car and so on. No binding agreements, freedom of choice 🙂
But that doesn’t matter here: a maintenance check doesn’t take long. And if your wife was standing right there the whole time, I hope she offered a cup of coffee.
ypg schrieb:
we followed VOBYou probably didn’t either; complying with VOB requires the contractor to provide proper clarification. Simply writing “offer according to VOB” is not enough. However, if a private client actually agreed to VOB, they should consider whether the “free choice” and saving a few hundred euros in maintenance costs is worth losing 3 years of warranty.
This also applies to cars – if an independent workshop doesn’t follow the manufacturer’s specifications exactly, the warranty is void. Any goodwill gestures from the manufacturer after the warranty expires can definitely be forgotten.
And no, proper maintenance doesn’t only take 30 minutes (possibly with a coffee included). This belief is widespread because that’s often how it’s done, but it’s just deceiving the customer. Even more so if you voluntarily forfeit the manufacturer’s warranty for such work.
Of course, everyone can choose as they wish; personally, in both cases (heating system and car) the amounts involved are simply too high for me to take the risk over maybe 500 euros.
What kind of person are you?
I know what we agreed on. Certainly not because of a heating warranty...
I don’t know how many maintenance services you have witnessed... I have seen more than half of my age... and let’s not claim that the technicians didn’t do anything, guys 😉
Dr Hix schrieb:
You probably don’t have that either; it requires proper clarification from the contractor. Just writing "offer according to VOB" is not enough.
I know what we agreed on. Certainly not because of a heating warranty...
I don’t know how many maintenance services you have witnessed... I have seen more than half of my age... and let’s not claim that the technicians didn’t do anything, guys 😉
ypg schrieb:
Who do you think you are?Someone who disagreed with you. It would be appreciated if we could keep this discussion professional.
ypg schrieb:
I know what contract we signedI did not mean to imply that you don’t know what you agreed to; I was pointing out that there is a huge difference between “I signed it as is” and the legal evaluation of that action.
And sorry, but the number of maintenance experiences you have personally had really says nothing about their quality.
I could just as well claim to be able to judge the quality of a photograph because I know a dozen people with a DSLR camera... and surely they can’t all be wrong ;-)
Dr Hix schrieb:
Someone who disagreed with you. It would be nice if we could keep this on a factual level.A factual level is good. You didn’t disagree with me; you assumed that I didn’t know the basis of our contract. That is a difference, and that’s what my question referred to.
I’m out of here 😀
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