Unjustified CV fitter invoice? Ask a lawyer for advice!

Questioner

Incorrect invoice due to improper repair? We recently hired a technician to repair our central heating boiler. The boiler made a strange ticking sound. The mechanic came, spent 2.5 hours, but couldn't find anything. He would come back again, because he didn't have time anymore. The technician came back another day, again spent 3.5 hours cleaning the boiler. Eventually he used some kind of cleaning fluid and the problem was solved. Now we have received an invoice for both times. I understand that the engineer was physically present both times, but nothing was fixed. We also did not sign the first invoice. I assume that if I hire a CV engineer, he has the right knowledge and expertise to be able to repair a CV boiler. (This CV boiler was also installed by them and we have a maintenance contract with this organization. So they should know the boiler, but that is besides the point.) Nevertheless, I think it is unfair that an invoice is charged while the problem had not been resolved at the time? I wonder if this is fair?

Lawyer

If there is a maintenance contract I wonder how well the maintenance has been carried out, but that depends on the defect. Furthermore you should ascertain what the rights and obligations are in case of interim necessary maintenance and complaints (stated in the conditions). If you had to pay for the service according to the conditions it is of course true that a proper consideration has actually been carried out. I would therefore not pay the first invoice, the second, but only if there is no connection with poor maintenance preceding it.