If a company gives you bad service I would suggest you leave them, only when people leave in mass numbers will companies actually start to treat customers properly.

There are other utility companies and other insulation contractors do not feel you have to put up with bad service.

Even if you have to keep moving ever so often, if everyone did this we would eventually see positive change.

I doubt it is worth suing for compensation. Though saying that, I have to sue British Gas at least once a year because they do not show up for gas repairs at my rental property where I have a service contract!

What I have done in the past in similar situations, is ring to cancel the contract when they don't show up. Then they may offer some 'sweetener' to keep the business.

Hi all. First post so be gentle.

Question: Is it reasonable to expect some compensation from a contractor if he misses not one, but two pre-arranged appointments, for which I had taken time off work?

I recently booked to have cavity wall insulation done. This was supposed to be done on Thursday last week so I booked that day off work.

I got a call on the Wednesday from the company's office. They said the guys were too fully booked. They wouldn't be able to do mine that day, but would I be OK for Friday?

I reluctantly agreed and asked for a morning slot, thinking that if there were any more delays it wouldn't be with my job and I'd not get bumped again.

Come 10 on the Friday, the installer hadn't shown so I called his office.

I was told that, far from being the first call, mine was the last, and the earlier jobs that day had overrun and they wouldn't get to me on Friday.

After a bit of to-ing and fro-ing, we agreed Tuesday morning this week.

I pointed out that I had already accommodated their change once and that their second delay meant I had wasted a day's holiday which was worth about £100, after tax.

The guys came, on the twice-amended date, on time and did a good job, fo rwhich I paid in full.

Question: Is it reasonable to expect some compensation for being mucked around not once, but twice and loosing out in the process?

I did email the contractor at the time, but that was on his general office address and, like a lot of places, I have my doubts that this inbox is monitored as I have yet to receive a reply.

Thanks for your views