ASHP BUS Grant - when does it pay out?

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

Question:

I know that the MCS installer applies for the grant on our behalf, but when during the process can they apply for it? / when does it pay out?

 

Background / reason:

I thought that we would only pay the amount remaining (full quote minus BUS grant) but we’ve had a couple of installers (small businesses) say we need to pay in line with their standard stage payments as they can only claim the grant after install is certified and then the final payment is taken care of by the grant, plus a refund for any difference.

 

I realise many here will say just don’t bother with the grant, but on balance for us, we’re keen on going with the NIBE ASHP, which requires approved installers and comes with a 5 or 7 year warranty. I’m just looking to check that this pay / refund isn’t unusual or unreasonable. My only hesitation is making sure they don’t turn around at the end and say we’re not elligible.

 

I hate not being in control of the process - can you tell? 🤣

[BotusBuild]

We paid all the invoices in full, and then the grant was paid back, IIRC, via the MCS company.

[JohnMo]

Go and read the bus grant rules for home owner and installer, then you will know what is or isn't acceptable first hand. Better than reading a load of second hand information - that could be 3rd or 4th hand. Always read source information for yourself.

[SimonD]

56 minutes ago, Great_scot_selfbuild said:

 

Question:

I know that the MCS installer applies for the grant on our behalf, but when during the process can they apply for it? / when does it pay out?

 

Background / reason:

I thought that we would only pay the amount remaining (full quote minus BUS grant) but we’ve had a couple of installers (small businesses) say we need to pay in line with their standard stage payments as they can only claim the grant after install is certified and then the final payment is taken care of by the grant, plus a refund for any difference.

 

I realise many here will say just don’t bother with the grant, but on balance for us, we’re keen on going with the NIBE ASHP, which requires approved installers and comes with a 5 or 7 year warranty. I’m just looking to check that this pay / refund isn’t unusual or unreasonable. My only hesitation is making sure they don’t turn around at the end and say we’re not elligible.

 

I hate not being in control of the process - can you tell? 🤣

 

The installer will make an application for the grant to confirm eligibility as soon as you sign on the dotted line for a contract. It's normal practise to ask for stage payments first and then apply for the grant after commissioning. Once the initial grant eligibility has been confirmed with OFGEM the installer has 120days to finish and apply for grant redemption.

[SimonD]

43 minutes ago, BotusBuild said:

We paid all the invoices in full, and then the grant was paid back, IIRC, via the MCS company.

 

MCS and the consumer protection companies don't really like this structure any more. They prefer the BUS grant to be subtracted from the quote.

[BotusBuild]

8 minutes ago, SimonD said:

MCS and the consumer protection companies don't really like this structure any more.

We were a little nervous until the payment came through

[SimonD]

4 hours ago, BotusBuild said:

We were a little nervous until the payment came through

 

I bet you were 😊

[sharpener]

We had two acceptable quotes, both were on a net of grant basis. I would be very wary of paying more than the net price at any point, they seem to be able to access the BUS grant money in a simple and timely fashion.

[Post and beam]

The installation company i chose and subsequently turned out to regret Left me with a few questions once they left site for the final time.

On this basis i was very reluctant to pay them the final invoice which basically covered the grant. They very quickly started to hassle me to pay. Stuck to my guns and argued that once they had all their money where was the incentive to #1 sort the issues & #2 actually get the grant money to me.

As it turned out i spoke to the MCS people myself. They were very helpful and told me that the company had not responded to them within some time limit which killed the grant claim. The installers own incompetence had cause their issues. If you knew the full sorry story of this shower this would not come as any surprise to you.

Anyway, MCS said that it was perfectly possible for the installers to resubmit the claim which they duly did once i informed them that their failings were at the root of the delay.  MCS paid out within a week to their credit.

 

Still waiting since 9th December for a resolution to our losing pressure issue from this bunch of chancers.