New Boiler quote

Wongie_2

Really sorry if this has been asked before, but last week my radiators all stopped being warm bar one the one in the bathroom next to the hot water tank. British Gas came out as we have a homecare cover with them. The chap said ooh the boiler is old and parts are hard to get it’s a Baxi WM 51/3RS (the house is probably 20 years max old but we have been here 3 so have no idea of it’s age). We can try flushing the system at £857 but I would recommend a new boiler really as they need to flush the system anyway and that £857 could go towards a new boiler. He did fit a new pump and great everything started working and has been fine since. But I did agree to discuss a new boiler so therefore I now have a 2 hour appointment scheduled for tomorrow but I must admit I am a little nervous. Is there anything I should be asking the chap/looking out for?. This must sound very naïve but and I am a little ashamed to admit I don’t know if these parts are still available and I should keep going with the home care but be saving for a new boiler in the new future or whether I take their word and I really need to go for new boiler. Any advise appreciated as we have had no problems before now.

Canucklehead

Good afternoon: BG:eek:...get in a couple of independent RGIs after you read this and have checked out the many threads on here about the subject. BG is known for claiming parts are obsolete.

HTH

Canucklehead

Gordon_T_2

Cant agree more! I service at least 100 of these boilers on a yearly basis. MOST parts are available. Dont let BG fob you off with the `cant get parts for these boilers ` con.
Sounds like your pump was sticking and they are telling you that you need a new boiler????? :eek:..........Just tell them to go and chew on a string bag until a couple of independant Corgi guys have had a look at it. Dont be pressurised by BG to sign up for a new boiler. They overcharge massively. A yearly service with an independant should put your mind at rest as he will want your repeat business and you can call him out for any repairs/advice at a later date as neccessary.

sarahs999

BG fed a load of BS to my neighbour and quoted her almost £3 grand for a job that eventually cost half that (with another contractor). How come they are allowed to get away with it? They're supposed to be a reliable name yet everything I hear about the engineers they send out makes them sound like cowboys....

Wongie_2

Thank you for the replies and advise, after reading some of the comments on this board I feel little easier. I have had the quote from BG and as expected to flush the system and fit a new boiler they have quoted just a tad under £3,600 :eek:
Once I had picked myself up off the floor I showed the guy the door and shall be getting some quotes from some independant Corgi guys. I am really glad to say that the pump they fitted on the call out is going fine and at least I can start saving towards a new boiler. I am so grateful I found this site and the helpful people that use it.

Redemption

I would echo everything that has been said about British Gas. I was fed the "no parts" line some years ago. I contacted the Boiler Makers who told me that every single part was available and could be ordered by any CORGI plumber.

Also, take care with boiler quotes if / when you get to that stage. This seems to be an area where there is a "going price" for the job out of all proportion to the worked involved. If you find a couple of people quoting for the same boiler it worth checking the cost price from a plumbers merchants. Keep in mind that a plumber will get if for LESS than this with his discount you can get some idea of how much of the total is labour. Once you make it clear you know this you can get the price down.

Hope this helps

Canucklehead

Wongie wrote: »

Thank you for the replies and advise, after reading some of the comments on this board I feel little easier. I have had the quote from BG and as expected to flush the system and fit a new boiler they have quoted just a tad under £3,600 :eek:
Once I had picked myself up off the floor I showed the guy the door and shall be getting some quotes from some independant Corgi guys. I am really glad to say that the pump they fitted on the call out is going fine and at least I can start saving towards a new boiler. I am so grateful I found this site and the helpful people that use it.

Good afternoon: Happy to help;) When you get your quotes in, compare like for like and ensure the quote is at 'Best Practice' as detailed in the EST guide I linked to in my previous post. Although bartering down the price might work with some RGIs, many will want to supply and fit the appliance for reasons detailed in other threads. My OH quotes a price for supply and fit (Vaillant or Viessmann) and that remains the price: he trades on his reputation not on cut-rate (and corner cutting) prices.

When your boiler reaches the end of the road if you post your quote on here we could give you feedback on the specification and price.

HTH

Canucklehead

iampaddyboy

Hi. I also have a problem with the same Baxi you have, but I cannot find the pump.

I have had 5 plumbers out, all with the same problem. I wonder if you can describe where abouts your pump was located in vicinity to the boiler?

I had a guy out yesterday with a 'borescope' camera, and we drilled a few holes in the floor to try and trace the pipes, but no signs of a pump anywhere.

It makes me wonder if a pump was ever fitted at all? Boiler is about 19 years old.

Any advice?