ANDREW BATTYE & SON LTD
BackBased in Scholes, Holmfirth, Andrew Battye & Son Ltd is a local, family-run business providing a range of plumbing and heating solutions. As with many tradespeople, customer experiences can vary significantly, and this company presents a mixed but informative picture based on available feedback. For homeowners in need of plumbing services, particularly in an emergency, there are compelling reasons to consider them, balanced by some serious points that warrant careful consideration before engagement.
A Strong Reputation in Emergency Situations
One of the most prominent themes in positive feedback for Andrew Battye & Son Ltd is their effectiveness as an emergency plumber. Several customers have recounted experiences where the company responded with impressive speed and efficiency when faced with critical issues like a complete loss of heating and hot water. One client noted that after their boiler failed, Andy and his assistant Jacob arrived promptly and resolved the issue entirely on the same day, describing it as a "5-star service." This sentiment was echoed by another customer who found themselves without heating just before Christmas; they praised the team for fixing the problem "super quickly" at a "fair price," crediting them with saving the festive period. This capacity for rapid and effective problem-solving in high-stress situations is a significant asset for any homeowner, suggesting a high level of expertise in diagnostics and urgent boiler repair.
Official Accreditations and Range of Services
Adding a layer of professional assurance, Andrew Battye & Son Ltd is officially accredited. They are Gas Safe registered, which is a legal requirement for any engineer working on gas appliances in the UK, ensuring they are competent and qualified to work safely. Furthermore, their website states they are also OFTEC registered, which covers work on oil-fired systems, and LPG registered. This demonstrates a broad, certified skill set that goes beyond standard gas work, catering to a wider variety of home heating systems found in the area.
Their offered services are comprehensive, covering the core needs of domestic plumbing and heating. These include:
- General Plumbing Work
- Boiler Installations, Servicing, and Repairs
- Central Heating System Installation and Maintenance
- Installation of Underfloor Heating
- Servicing and Repair for Gas, Oil-fired, and LPG Appliances (including cookers and fires)
- Landlord Gas Safety Certificates
- Complete Bathroom, Wet Room, and En-suite Renovations
This extensive list shows they are equipped to handle everything from minor repairs to large-scale installations and renovations, positioning them as a versatile central heating engineer and plumbing contractor.
Areas of Concern Highlighted by Customer Feedback
Despite the glowing reviews regarding emergency work, a detailed negative review raises significant concerns that potential customers should be aware of. This feedback provides a crucial counterpoint and highlights potential pitfalls in communication, post-installation service, and workmanship. The primary advice from this dissatisfied customer was to secure a detailed quote before any work begins, suggesting a lack of initial pricing transparency that later led to a billing dispute.
Issues with Follow-Up and Workmanship
The most serious allegations stem from a project where the company acted as a subcontractor. The customer reported that two newly installed radiators began to leak. Despite the urgency of an internal water leak, the customer claims it took four days and three separate attempts at contact before the team returned to address the problem, by which time carpets were soaked. This delayed response to a fault caused by their own installation starkly contrasts with the swift action reported in emergency call-out scenarios.
Even more troubling were the issues discovered by a different plumber during a subsequent boiler service. This new engineer allegedly found that a pipe had been bent, a cap was incorrectly replaced, and a slight leak was causing rust to form on the boiler. The customer attributed these faults to Andrew Battye & Son Ltd, as they were the only ones to have worked on the boiler since its previous service. This report calls into question the thoroughness and quality of their boiler servicing and installation work, suggesting that underlying problems may not be immediately apparent.
Customer Service and Dispute Resolution
The final point of contention was the handling of the customer's concerns. When the client questioned the final bill, they found the company representative to be rude and unhelpful. While this is a subjective account of a single phone call, it points to a potential weakness in customer service, particularly when resolving disputes. For many customers, respectful and clear communication is just as important as the technical work itself. The feeling of being dismissed when raising legitimate questions about charges and workmanship is a significant red flag.
A Balanced View for Prospective Clients
Synthesising these conflicting accounts, a clearer picture of Andrew Battye & Son Ltd emerges. They appear to be highly competent and reliable local plumbers for urgent, contained jobs like boiler breakdowns. Their ability to react quickly and solve the immediate problem has earned them considerable praise and loyalty. For a homeowner in crisis, this is an invaluable service.
However, the negative feedback suggests that potential issues may arise in the context of larger, multi-stage projects or when follow-up work is required. The key takeaways for any potential customer are the importance of diligence and clear communication from the outset.
To ensure a positive experience, it would be prudent to:
- Insist on a Written Quote: Before agreeing to any work, especially larger projects, request a detailed, itemised quote. This protects both parties and minimises the risk of billing disputes later on.
- Clarify Guarantees: Ask about the warranty or guarantee provided on their workmanship and any parts they supply. Understand the process for addressing any issues that may arise post-installation.
- Document Everything: Keep a record of communications, agreements, and timelines. This can be helpful if any disagreements occur.
In conclusion, Andrew Battye & Son Ltd is a fully certified and established Holmfirth-based firm with a proven ability to perform well under pressure during emergencies. Yet, the detailed concerns raised by at least one customer regarding communication, the quality of finishing, and aftercare service cannot be ignored. They remain a strong contender for emergency repairs, but for more extensive projects, clients should proceed with a clear, contractually-defined understanding to mitigate potential risks and ensure the final result meets their expectations.
