New Boiler

dodbarn

Hi

My boiler is 20 years old and when I recently had the pump replaced the plumber said it's life span would not be many more weeks.

Just wondering what I should be looking at paying to replace it.

I live in a 4 bed detatched bugalow with 5 large double rads and 4 large single ones and 2 towel rails.

He has quoted £2800 to replace the boiler + move it 20 foot to the other side of the room as it is not on an external wall and apparently needs to be. Part of this cost is to power clean the system at £428+VAT

1.Is this a reasonable price
2. He said the 20+ year old rads don't need replacing as they are fine and probably better than what I would replace them with. Is that likely or should they need replacing too.

Thanks
D

Nile

Hello dodbarn


Welcome to the MSE site.

I hope you don't mind but I've moved your thread to the 'Is This fair' board, where it should get more views/responses.

Nile

dodbarn

No that's fine if you think it's the right place to be.

Can I also add, are there any questions I should be asking the plumber before he does the job as I always seem to get stuff done then think I wish I'd said that before they started....

moneysavingplumber

I would politely ask him if the system will be Part L compliant, i.e. incorporating programmer, room thermostat, cylinder thermostat, automatic by-pass (usually installed between the outlet side of the pump and downstream of the cylinder coil return) and thermostatic radiator valves on every radiator except the one closest to the room thermostat. Assuming you are not in Scotland where the regs are different, I would ask if the new boiler is condensing and whether it is SEDBUK 'A' or 'B' rated. It's also worth finding out if it has a stainless steel heat exchanger as these are more hard wearing than aluminium ones.

Also check that you will receive the Part L certificate via Corgi after the work is completed. Check that no other necessary part of the work, like electrics, will be extra.

Obviously I wouldn't suggest asking these questions in a confrontational manner, he may actually be pleased that you are interested in these details as it can be quite refreshing.

Overall the price doesn't sound too bad, especially as it's being re-sited and includes a powerflush.

wolvesinwales

I live in a 3 bedroomed bungalow and recently had a new boiler fitted, it was fitted in an existing airing cupboard so flue was taken straight up through the roof, it was fitted within a day and all old stuff removed from site for £1400 total.

moneysavingplumber

wolvesinwales wrote:

I live in a 3 bedroomed bungalow and recently had a new boiler fitted, it was fitted in an existing airing cupboard so flue was taken straight up through the roof, it was fitted within a day and all old stuff removed from site for £1400 total.

Perhaps, but it may not be the same job as above. Did they powerflush your system and did they balance the radiator flow and returns to a 20 degree differential. Did they update your system to be fully compliant with part L building regs and have you received your verification certificate from Corgi. If you can answer a categorical yes to all these questions then you had a good deal, if you don't know, then, with all due respect, you should find out. I would find it extremely difficult to complete all of the above, especially on a boiler change involving a Vertex flue, for the price you have quoted, but if they have, fair play to them. Remember though that if you're in Wales then your plumber's overheads are likely to be far cheaper than a London plumber's.

Additionally, the updates required on your system may have been different, if you already have a fully pumped system then the cost is dramamtically reduced compared with a gravity update.

wolvesinwales

I simply posted my experience as a guide. I am not claiming it is exactly the same job as above as i am no expert.
If an extra £1400 can be justified i would be very surprised though, i think you were rather speeedy on to the defensive. The overheads point should be thoroughly broken down i can't see it amounting to more that £50 on a single job.

We do have rip off plumbers in Wales, 3 weeks before i had the boiler changed i was charged £300 + for changing the pump after doing the pump he then went on to say the boiler was leaking and on its way out, needless to say he didn't get the job and i will do all i can to minimise what other work he gets locally.

dodbarn

Thanks for the info moneysavingplumber. Wolvesinwales, is your boiler on an outside wall as it sounds like a similar setup to I have now with flue going up through roof, he said that he could not fit it like that as it is against the law.

wolvesinwales

Mine is not on an outside wall, not sure about the law but i'm sure moneysavingplumber will advise.

moneysavingplumber

wolvesinwales wrote:

I simply posted my experience as a guide. I am not claiming it is exactly the same job as above as i am no expert.
If an extra £1400 can be justified i would be very surprised though, i think you were rather speeedy on to the defensive. The overheads point should be thoroughly broken down i can't see it amounting to more that £50 on a single job.

We do have rip off plumbers in Wales, 3 weeks before i had the boiler changed i was charged £300 + for changing the pump after doing the pump he then went on to say the boiler was leaking and on its way out, needless to say he didn't get the job and i will do all i can to minimise what other work he gets locally.

It's not defensive, I'm just putting some very important questions to you regarding the installation and what you actually got for your money. If you had a combi fitted, it will be far cheaper than if a conventional boiler is replaced with necessary update work. The questions I put to you were genuine and I would be interested in the answers to them.

It's important that people understand that 'cheap' plumbers can be as big a rip-off as expensive ones. The system should be flushed, full controls fitted, the system balanced and commissioned correctly (including filling out the benchmark book and explaining it to you along with the controls) with the correct temperature differentials between the pipe work. In addition to this, the standard of work should acceptable, i.e. the pipe work should be neatly clipped, level and straight, soldering completed neatly and flux residue removed from pipe work. On the information you have given me, I would find it very difficult to all of the above in a day, which is why I am sceptical. You say the information was given as a guide but you cannot give a general guide based on one installation. I've seen alot of one-day boiler changes and often it is not work that I would ever put my name to.

In addition to this, different boilers can vary in price by as much as £500, the really cheap ones aren't worth going anywhere near.

If you have genuinely had a good deal, I will be very pleased to hear it and envious of your plumber's efficiency.

moneysavingplumber

dodbarn wrote:

Thanks for the info moneysavingplumber. Wolvesinwales, is your boiler on an outside wall as it sounds like a similar setup to I have now with flue going up through roof, he said that he could not fit it like that as it is against the law.

Most modern boilers can be flued vertically, but it depends on the length of flue needed, they usually max at 3 metre 'equivalent' length (which usually means adding 0.5 metres for any 45 degree bends and 1 metre for 90 degree) but these can be extended with twin flue kits. Alot of plumbers don't like getting involved with vertical flue kits because they can be aggravating, so it may be worth getting another quote. Try https://www.iphe.org.uk to find a member in you area, no guarantees on the price but all members are bound by a code of conduct.