I see the same things as you Graham, although I have more or less retired I still do a few jobs for a local organisation that carry out loft insulation , draught proofing and general and plumbing repairs, all for free.

I only work on boilers but they can be disgusting with rodent infestation, and declare quite a few uneconomical to repair, new boiler required. Most of the systems I see haven't been serviced in years and are clapped out.

Even though any repairs up to a limit are free its very rare to get any thanks from the people, very demanding most of them and I woudnt recommend the work for anyone looking for job satisfaction.