Case Study  -  Notting Hill Housing Trust

Domestic Central Heating Installation

The Background

In 2004 Notting Hill Housing Trust (NHHT) was managing a legacy of thousands of properties that were still running old-fashioned gas fires. Indeed, there were many properties that had no modern heating of any kind.

This housing, all of it old stock, had not seen a heating system refit or any significant investment since the early 1970s. It was in urgent need of upgrading to full central heating.

NHHT were keen to remedy the situation, especially to replace the dangerous and inefficient gas fires. But they needed a reliable partner to carry out the works.

Decent Homes legislation provided the trigger for action and NHHT soon began the search for a supplier with the right outlook who could work with them over the long term.

The Solution

NHHT interviewed a number of contractors to carry out the vital heating upgrades and other associated works. Eventually they chose Watret and a close group of other contractors because of their long experience and track record.

Watret quickly assembled a capable team led by a senior engineer. The team carried out 800 full central heating installations and boiler upgrades on the NHHT properties between 2004 and 2009. This was an average of 4 every week over the period but with peaks of 10-15 per week.

During the contract Watret were also asked to carry out boiler installations in another area of NHHT’s refit program that was experiencing high demand. This was clear evidence of NHHT’s satisfaction with Watret’s work.

The Result

All of NHHT’s requirements were completed by Watret on time and to the client’s high quality expectations.

Because of their work together on this and other smaller contracts, a mutually respectful and trusting relationship was established between the two organisations. This is the only way Watret likes to do business.

As evidence of this, in 2010 NHHT also awarded Watret their Sheltered Housing Maintenance & Service Agreement. NHHT’s trust in Watret was rewarded: compliancy on the maintenance & service agreement was only 85% in April 2010 when Watret took charge of it but by September 2010 compliancy was 100%.