Off The Job Podcast – Season 1, Episode 1
In the world of heating and plumbing, few names ring as loudly as Ollie Gilcreest, better known to most as Heat Geek. But this isn’t your typical social media sensation. Ollie’s a self-confessed lazy grafter, a man who figured out how to work smarter, not harder, and still earn respect across the trade. In the debut guest episode of Off The Job: A Tradesman Podcast, Keiran Yates and Pete Withers dig into Ollie’s past, present, and brutally honest takes on life as a gas engineer.
From Fake Sixth Form to Gas Engineering: The Backstory
Ollie didn’t exactly apply to college with a five-year plan. He faked sixth form by leaving the house in a suit and secretly working in a garage. His cover was blown after his mum clocked him getting up later every day. What followed was an accidental dive into gas engineering—thanks to his dad landing him an interview at a now-defunct company. He didn’t want it, but it stuck.
“I didn’t even know what a boiler stat was. But I learnt fast, because I had to.”
Baptism by Fire: 21 Jobs a Day & No Room for Error
One of Ollie’s early gigs involved smashing out 20+ breakdown jobs a day. There was no help, no second chances, and definitely no “handing jobs back.” It was survival of the fittest—and it made him one of the sharpest diagnostic engineers in the game.
“You weren’t allowed to replace a PCB unless you were 100% sure. One wrong move and you were out of pocket.”
That pressure led to some legendary fixes—including repairing violent e-codes for just £24 instead of replacing £200 PCBs.
Christmas Pump Deaths & Posh Client Rage
Nothing says ‘tradesman trauma’ like a posh house, a failed pump, and 16 guests arriving for Christmas lunch. Ollie shares how a simple touch on a pump killed it—and nearly his career—on Christmas Eve.
“Customer said I’d ruined Christmas and that I’d never work again. Classic.”
From WhatsApp to YouTube Fame
The YouTube journey started as a way to help engineers in a company group chat. Ollie would film issues, explain fixes, and save engineers from repeat visits. The videos went viral in the industry, and Heat Geek was born.
“It was never for the customers. It was to stop engineers getting egg on their face.”
Business Without the Bullsh*t
Ollie doesn’t want to manage people. He doesn’t want to chase money. He just wants to fix boilers and be left alone. So he built a business that lets him do exactly that—fully remote, upfront payments, zero admin.
“I don’t even know the office number. I just use my mobile.”
Nightmare Clients & Small Claims Court Justice
From architects pocketing cash on installs to influencers dodging invoices, Ollie’s had his fair share of nightmare customers. He’s not afraid to go nuclear—with County Court Judgments and some alleged 5am water shutoffs for karma’s sake.
“They owed me 11 grand. I turned their water off. Twice.”
The Future of Heat Geek
While Ollie isn’t dropping weekly uploads, he’s still filming every interesting job. Editing is on pause for now (unless you’re an editor reading this—slide in his DMs), but the content backlog is stacked.
“I’ve got loads filmed. Just need to stop being lazy long enough to upload it.”
Real Talk for Real Tradesmen
This episode isn’t just entertainment—it’s a masterclass in navigating the trades with grit, wit, and a few shortcuts. Whether you’re on the tools or just love a good war story, this is one for the toolbox.
And if you’re as allergic to paperwork as Ollie is? The Gas Certificate App is your secret weapon. It cuts the faff, keeps your jobs sorted, and gives you more time to do what you actually enjoy—fixing boilers and getting home in time for tea.
