All,
I have made contact with my insurance company. They seem to require a quote before any work is to be done. The engineer that I spoke to Will not provide a quotation and states that their policy is not to do so. They are happy to undergo the work with the expectation that our insurance company will pay us back later.
I would love to hear from those of you who have been through this process. Do I need to engage a different engineer? Does anyone have someone in the Vicinity of Walton backwaters who they could recommend?
As this is a new process for me, any advice would be very welcome. Thanks so much.
David
—
David Claassen
"Logan's Run"
2006 26M
Speaking as an Engineer
I would run a mile from any 'Engineer' who won't provide a quotation.
First questions for any Engineer are:
What professional institutions or trade bodies are they a member of?
What level of Public liability and Professional Indemnity insurance do they have?
What qualifications and experience do the staff, who will actually be working on the job, hold?
What similar jobs have they performed?
Can they provide references, examples of satisfied customers?
Any reputable engineer will have no problem credibly answering these sort of questions.
and after the initial surprise at being asked will be pleased to find a discerning customer.
You can tell a lot just from the evasive answers you are likely to get from the dodgy ones.
Unfortunately the term Engineer does not have the protected status that Ingenieur does in Germany.
The guy who fixes your washing machine or fits your double glazing call themselves engineers!
I'll climb down now, off my hobby horse on to my soap box.
Dave.
Dave Newton Sailbadthesinner
That’s good advice
Leigh Ross
Crieff
0777 558-4561
1990 MacGregor 26S Ptarmigan
1992 MacGregor 26S Pelican
Dave,
I would call these guys “mechanics “. I always appreciate your comments! I did not get “dodgy” vibes but mayby a bit too terse. At any rate, I will make it very clear that no work is authorized without a proper estimate.David
David Claassen
"Logan's Run"
2006 26M
Hi David,
When we had our incident with the centreboard the insurer wanted 3 quotes for repair. The first organisation I went to was Cambrian Boats who are a reseller but also undertake repairs and said they would willingly supply a quote but it would cost £100 which would be refunded if they got the job, what if they didn't then I'm £100 down 'mmm'. The second place was GGF marine near Bridgend (no job too small all types of repairs undertaken etc.) a very affable guy who actually knew the Insurance Broker and told me that I was unlikely to get 3 quotes and he would charge £50.00 for the quote promised by email the following day (3 weeks later after several excuses a 3 line email came through). I had paid him the £50 the actual quote is below, but I had lost all faith by this time and knew that despite this guy having spoken to the insurance broker in my presence telling him that I wouldn't be able to get the 3 quotes, I then manufactured a quote from Blue Water Yachts For £892 (including my original £50 and something for the cost of the valium tablets needed to assist the fraught process)
Manufacture of new rudder for macgregor 26x trailer sailor in GRP .
materials £600.00
labour £600.00
subtotal £1200.00
vat @ 20% £240.00
Total £1440.00
All the best
Rob
Hi, David,
No quote, no money, no business, his loss but his attitude worries me so would start looking around. A quote is standard practice in the Insurance industry.
My insurers just asked for an assessment and a quote for my damaged trailer and gave me 90 days to reply. Unfortunately the local welding team are away on a big job, obviously pays more than my small beer, so haven't had even a quote from them in spite of catching one in the Marina and pleading with him. Explained all this to my insurers who are okay with the delay.
Frustrating, isn't it.
There is a major marina at Ipswich, Fox's. Maybe they might be able to help.
I put a note out on the Big Mac pages, David, offering your services as crew.
Good Luck
Simon Sowenna (26M)
Thanks so much! I am adopting a wait and see attitude at this point.
David Claassen
"Logan's Run"
2006 26M