Struggling ... and now boiler has been condemned

izoomzoom

Tashja wrote: »

Hi hun

I am not a lot of help but if you are on certain benefits/low income I think you can get a new boiler on the Warmfront Grant. They have just given us £2,800 to have a whole new CH system fitted.

T xx

just checked, we don't qualify.

izoomzoom

Just updating. SOA is now up.

We got the boiler done for £2050 in the end.

whatatwit

Well done on getting the boiler sorted.
I see that you have joined the Dec grocery challenge, that should help to get the grocery bill down a bit.

izoomzoom

I have actually done the GC for over a year, but I did lapse a bit for a few months and didn't tally up, but now at least I am monitoring it big time.
Also the extra £40 is to take DH fag habit into consideration and I didn't know where else to put it, hence grocery budget 'appears' to be £290 instead of £250.

izoomzoom

hi, i've had to add to our debts. dh father was gravely ill and dh had to fly back to africa to see him. tried to get m&s cc cr limit increased to accommodate the flight but they wouldn't budge. managed to get it elsewhere but either situation is good in the long run. on the plus side, have managed to reduce m&s down from 920 to 360, but I had to use very single penny of savings money i had.

bank_of_slate

Hi izoom zoom

The situation always seems worse because of Christmas doesn't it?

Are you sure you've got the best deal for gas & lecky? check through Quidco to get cash back!

How come there's a £0 for your internet? and again look via Quidco to see if you can get a better and cheaper package that includes TV, internet and phone from one company.

For the boiler join https://www.myhammer.co.uk where tradesmen 'bid' for your job - they build up feedback from other customers too so you can see if you're getting a reliable person!
...Linda xx

Uncertain

The whole boiler business is a total racket. British Gas and others delight in telling you that a boiler can't be repaired when this is simply not true.

Obviously I don't know the problem with yours but, based on my experience I would proceed as follows.....

Contact the maker of you current boiler with model no etc. Ask which parts are / are not available. If there is good or full parts availability ask them for a list of approved repariers. Make it clear to whoever you contact that you have researched the parts situation.

If a repair is impossible then contact a local plumbers merchants and get the cost price to you of the boiler that is proposed. Keep in mind that any plumber will get it cheaper as he will have an account and get a discount.

Use this information to negotiate a more sensible price. Or you may be able to buy the boiler direct (using a card) and just have to pay the plumber by cheque for labour and minor bits like pipe.

Do however make sure whoever you use is CORGI registered (check this via their website). Ideally get a personal reference.

Hope this helps

izoomzoom

Did the gas and leccy thing about 3 months ago, and it showed my current supplier is still the cheapest. think it is necessary to do it again now ?

izoomzoom

my boiler went in mid Nov, so we have already had that fixed. it was condemned for parts as well as position (the outlet thing was too close to a window and too far down). anyhow, have had new boiler fitted in. cost 2050 from a local guy (who was a friend recommended).

bank_of_slate

izoomzoom wrote: »

Did the gas and leccy thing about 3 months ago, and it showed my current supplier is still the cheapest. think it is necessary to do it again now ?

It's worth looking into! My Dad was going to change suppliers last month so I urged him to join and go through Quidco... he did and got £65 cash back for changing to the same company he had looked at in the first place!
...Linda xx