Roberts Andrew Ltd

Based at 27 Rhedyw Road in the community of Llanllyfni, near Caernarfon, Roberts Andrew Ltd is a long-established company providing plumbing and heating services. Incorporated in 1993, it has served the local area for several decades, positioning itself as a fixture in the Gwynedd region for homeowners in need of plumbing services. The company maintains standard business hours, operating from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays and is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. This schedule suggests a focus on planned projects and maintenance rather than a dedicated 24-hour emergency plumber service, a key consideration for customers facing sudden crises like burst pipes or complete boiler failures over a weekend.

Services and Specialisms

While the company does not have an official website detailing its full range of services, directory listings and customer feedback indicate a strong focus on heating systems. Roberts Andrew Ltd is categorised under 'Central Heating Service' and 'Plumbing, heat and air-conditioning installation'. This implies a capability to handle significant projects, including the design, installation, and maintenance of home heating. The services likely extend to boiler installation, boiler repair, and routine maintenance to ensure systems are running efficiently and safely. As a potential Gas Safe registered engineer would, their work would encompass all aspects of central heating, from fitting radiators to complex pipework and boiler commissioning. The business is also listed as a general plumber, suggesting they also undertake more routine tasks such as fixing leaks, addressing drainage issues, and installing plumbing fixtures for kitchens and bathrooms.

Customer Feedback: A Mixed Overview

The public record of customer experience with Roberts Andrew Ltd presents a divided picture, which warrants careful consideration. The business holds an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars based on a very small sample of four Google reviews. This limited feedback makes it challenging to form a definitive judgment, but the details within the reviews are revealing.

On one hand, two of the four reviews award the company a full five-star rating. These were left three and five years ago, respectively, and while they signify positive experiences, they lack any accompanying text. This means that while the customers were clearly satisfied, future clients are left without specifics regarding the nature of the work performed, the quality of the service, or the professionalism of the team. A more recent five-star review from December 2022 on Yell.com offers more substance, with the user, GlesniR-1, describing the service as "reliable and polite." The review explicitly states that the team "stuck to the price and worked in a timely and efficient manner," highly recommending Andrew, Chris, and the rest of the team. This specific praise directly counters some of the criticisms found elsewhere and highlights strengths in pricing transparency and efficiency.

Analysis of a Critical Review

In stark contrast to the positive ratings stands a highly detailed one-star review from four years ago that raises significant concerns. The customer, who hired the company for a full central heating installation during a house renovation, outlines several serious issues. The first major point of contention was financial, with the customer alleging that the cost was "vastly increased" halfway through the project. For any homeowner, unexpected price hikes are a major red flag, and this report underscores the importance of obtaining a comprehensive, fixed-price written quote before any work commences.

The second area of criticism concerns the technical execution of the job. The review claims that pipes installed in the roof space were left uninsulated. This is a critical technical failure in any central heating installation, as uninsulated pipes, particularly in a cold loft, will lose a substantial amount of heat. This not only results in higher energy bills for the homeowner but also reduces the efficiency of the entire system, meaning radiators may not reach their optimal temperature. It is a fundamental aspect of modern plumbing and heating practice to insulate all accessible hot water and heating pipes.

Furthermore, the review alleges that the completed system was not flushed and was found to be "full of debris and muck." A system flush, often a chemical flush followed by the addition of an inhibitor, is a non-negotiable step for any new boiler installation or radiator fitting. This process removes sludge, solder, metallic filings, and other installation debris that can otherwise circulate through the system. Failure to do so can lead to a host of problems, including blocked pipes, damaged boiler components (like the heat exchanger or pump), and inefficient radiator performance. The customer's report that the "entire system rattles and knocks and none of the radiators balanced" is a classic symptom of a system with airlocks and debris. An unbalanced system, where some radiators get hotter than others, points to a job that was not professionally completed and commissioned.

What Potential Customers Should Consider

Given the conflicting reports, prospective clients of Roberts Andrew Ltd should proceed with a degree of diligence. The positive review on Yell is recent and specific, which is a good sign, but the detailed negative review, despite its age, highlights potential pitfalls that are worth guarding against. The business has been established since 1993, and a company does not survive for that long without satisfying customers; however, the lack of a significant online footprint or a large volume of recent reviews makes it difficult to assess its current operational standards.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Clarity on Cost: The allegation of a mid-project price increase suggests that customers should insist on a detailed, itemised quote that clearly defines the scope of work and the total cost. It would be prudent to ask what circumstances, if any, could lead to additional charges.
• Technical Questions: Before hiring for a major job like a central heating installation, customers should ask specific questions. Enquire about their process for insulating pipework, what type of system flush they perform on completion, and whether radiator balancing is included as standard.
• Service Availability: The lack of advertised weekend or evening hours means this may not be the firm to call for an emergency plumber. For urgent issues, one might need to look for companies that explicitly offer 24/7 call-outs.
• Limited Feedback: With only a handful of reviews available online over many years, the existing feedback may not fully represent the company's typical performance. Potential customers might consider asking for recent, local references to gain a more current perspective on their work.

In conclusion, Roberts Andrew Ltd is a long-standing local plumber in the Caernarfon area with experience in heating and plumbing. While there is evidence of highly satisfied customers who praise their reliability and fair pricing, there is also a documented account of a project with significant alleged failings in both financial transparency and technical standards. This mixed reputation, combined with a sparse online presence, suggests that while they are a viable option for plumbing work, customers should engage with them proactively, ensuring all aspects of the job are clearly understood and agreed upon in writing before committing.