Dishonest business practices. Not recommended.
An engineer came to look at my faulty gas heater in my small London studio flat. He concluded that it needed to be replaced and offered a quote for around £4,000 with an extended warranty. He was adamant that my Vaillant boiler couldn't be fixed anymore.
When I told him that as an end customer I need prices incl of VAT, he patronised me explaining that I can calculate the final price by adding 20% on top.
He promised an itemised quote which he never sent back.
Later I called a guy called Andrew, who arrived a few hours later and took my boiler apart quickly. He pulled out a few items that had never been properly cleaned and maintained. He explained that these boilers are built to last as long as we take care of them. I paid £90 and my problem was fixed. Later on I invited him to replace a few faulty pieces in the boiler to extend its life by a few more tears.
Andrew quoted approx £2,500 for boiler replacement but said it was not necessary as my boiler is now in a great condition.