Monday - Fine apart from the MMB's - that feeling of dread when you realise that the weekend has flown by and there is a whole 5 days to go before you can have another day off.
Tuesday - Woke up, ambled bleary eye'd into the kitchen for the first job of the day: Feed Cat. Except the cat wouldn't follow me in. We smelt GAS! Being the ever efficient woman the Gas Emergency number was easy to find. One hour later, very helpful Gas Man arrived and checked over my pipes. He informed me my pipes and meter were fine but put a nasty looking sticker on my boiler "Unsafe Appliance, DO NOT USE" He advised I call a Plumber as he thought it was a problem with my flue - sounds painful!.
In a blind panic rang work to advise that I may be some time, then picked up the Yellow Pages and dialled the first number in the A-Z. STUPID STUPID woman.
The overweight, slightly out of breath Plumber arrived at 2 pm. After much crashing and bashing in the kitchen he called out for me to come take a look at this! Now, why do tradesmen always want to slate fellow tradesmens work. "I don't know who did this, but whoever it was didn't know what they were doing" Wouldn't you just love to say "Well, you did it 3 years ago"
Anyway, he had taken the flue apart and said that there was a problem with it. He'd have to go back to the office to get a quote together. Right he said, that will be £79.00.
£79.00 for half an hours work, just to tell me the same thing as the Gas Emergency man had said this morning for free! "I can fit you in to replace the flue next week" he said and with that I think he went to the pub with my cheque for £79 after getting a days pay for half an hours work.
I decided to get more quotes. So rang a very reputable company - or so I thought. Then rang work to say that I would have to take a couple of days leave as this wasn't going to be an easy job.
Wednesday - Plumber from very reputable company arrived at 1:30 pm. "What's your problem?" Well I don't know as I'm not a Plumber, but I think it has a lot to do with my flue. "Oh yes, I can see that" came the reply. Seeing as the flue was now detached from the boiler I think it was pretty obvious, but hey! He crashed and bashed and scratched his head for half an hour. Your flues in the wrong place was the next diagnosis. I looked out of my window and saw rows of flats and houses with flues in the exact same place as mine. He wouldn't elaborate but mumbled something about condensation! "I'll have to get a quote together as the flue needs to be moved" with that he left.
Thursday - He was a quick worker! on my return from work that evening the quote was laying on my door mat. I poured mysef wine as I opened it, needing dutch courage. Quote total £600.00! Flue price £299.00 the rest labour, it's apparently a two man job.
Friday - surfed the net for flues. Priced at £100.
Saturday - Spent the day phoning Plumbers who will coming around next week! Also tried to think of a cost effective way around this problem. Even tempted to take an evening Plumbing course: Can I wait 3 years to get my boiler working though.
I'm sure my neighbours must think I have some kinky Plumber festish, as numerous vans have been pulling up outside my home, staying for half an hour then leaving. Mmmmm that gives me an idea! On second thoughts, No. Overweight, out of breath plumbers who do a lot of scratching don't really appeal to me.
