British Gas vs local plumber for boiler install??

horsepills

Can anyone offer advice on our boiler installation?

We live in an older Victorian house (built circa 1850), and it currently has TWO boilers. One is fairly new and heats our water, and the other is very old (installed in the 70s!) & controls the central heating.
The “old” central heating boiler broke down a few weeks ago, and the plumber who fixed it said that it really needs replacing before it breaks again. We’ve since had British Gas inspect it, and they have said that although it is in full working order and does not leak, it is “at risk” of leaking gas in the future because it is showing signs of corrosion. They haven’t quite “condemned” it, but I guess it’s borderline and really shouldn’t be used for much longer.

So, I have chosen to get it fixed/replaced before it causes any more problems. The first plumber who looked at it, has recommended we get a new “combi” boiler – he suggested a load of pipework, flushing the system & replacing some radiator valves, etc… and altogether said a ballpark cost would be £2,500 - £3,000 all in.
British Gas have also been in for a quote, and they said pretty much the same in terms of what we should have done (i.e. flush system, pipework, valves, etc…) and they predictably quoted a higher price (circa £4,000).

There was me thinking it would be a straight swap – current boiler taken out, new boiler put in – costing around £1,000…….but no, we've been told that even a conventional boiler install would be closer to £3,000 all in & that the extra pipework, flushing, etc... is essential.

My question is, do I go for a local corgi-registered plumber or do I pay close to £1000 more to have it done by British Gas?? I know it sounds like a silly question, but I know NOTHING about this kind of thing! The British Gas salesman told us that the advantages of using them to do the work are long warranty, no risk of the firm “going bust” & therefore not able to fix repairs, guaranteed call-out times, free homecare for 2 years, work being carried out properly & meeting all regulations, etc… I know that a lot of this is just sales pitch, but having it done by a well known company does give us the “peace of mind” factor. Is it worth risking it with a local business???

Any advice appreciated.

ormus

BG typically quote 3k/4k.
a local ch plumber will do it for 1500/3k. depending where you live.
combi boilers & labour are usually guaranteed for 2yrs. so long term problems re the local plumber v BG, is not really a big issue.
you pays your money and takes your choice.

Canucklehead

Good afternoon: A combi will be an option only if your property has sufficient mains water pressure/flow rates (was this tested by either?) and work best in homes with 1 bathroom (multiple drawoff points for DHW will seriously tax even the largest output combi). Viessmann offer a 5 year parts and labour warranty on their boilers if installed by a Viessmann trained RGI. More on the installation and specification of gas central heating systems is available from the Energy Saving Trust

Don't get me started on BG's sales techniques:mad: Others MSErs can fill you in!

HTH

Canucklehead

horsepills

Canucklehead wrote: »

Good afternoon: A combi will be an option only if your property has sufficient mains water pressure/flow rates (was this tested by either?) and work best in homes with 1 bathroom (multiple drawoff points for DHW will seriously tax even the largest output combi). Viessmann offer a 5 year parts and labour warranty on their boilers if installed by a Viessmann trained RGI. More on the installation and specification of gas central heating systems is available from the Energy Saving Trust

Don't get me started on BG's sales techniques:mad: Others MSErs can fill you in!

HTH

Canucklehead

Thanks Canucklehead. The local plumber ran the tap and said "yeah, plenty of pressure there"...!
The British Gas guy attached a pressure guage type-thing(!) and said that it's running at 13 litres of pressure(?) and should just about be ok for a combi. We have a small terraced house with 1 bathroom, with a mixer tap shower (that is always going cold!). I think our water supply is shared with one or two neighbours.

Oh, I also forgot to mention that we can get 40% discount off a Bosch boiler - member of family works for them. No good if we were to go with British Gas though, as they won't fit anything you haven't bought from them!

EliteHeat

horsepills wrote: »

Oh, I also forgot to mention that we can get 40% discount off a Bosch boiler - member of family works for them. No good if we were to go with British Gas though, as they won't fit anything you haven't bought from them!

Not many installers will, and 13 litres per minute is too low for any kind of mains pressure system - assuming that this was what was measured 'cos 13 litres of pressure means nothing to me.

Razor

I presume you have a multipoint heating your water at the moment?

If that is the case and you don't have a hot water cylinder you won't get any less flow from a combi than the current setup.

Are you looking to replace the central heating boiler only or are you looking for a whole house solution?

moneysavingplumber

Get another opinion and quote from a different local plumber/heating engineer. As EliteHeat states, there is no such thing as 13 litres of pressure, and whilst it may be possible to judge by a visual inspection, you're taking one person's word for it that 'that'll do'. Also take note of Canucklehead's comment on BG, but it's not just the sales that can be the problem, I've seen many of their completed installations over the years, and never forgotten them!

horsepills

Razor wrote: »

I presume you have a multipoint heating your water at the moment?

If that is the case and you don't have a hot water cylinder you won't get any less flow from a combi than the current setup.

Are you looking to replace the central heating boiler only or are you looking for a whole house solution?

Razor - thanks for your response. No, we don't have a water tank/cylinder. I had hoped that we would just need to do a straight forward replacement of the central heating boiler, but have been told by 2 seperate people that it would cost roughly the same to install one boiler & do all of the pipework, system flush etc... as it would having a combi boiler installed to replace both.

Completely confused! Will probably have to get a few people to come and quote.

catkins

It sounds as if you have a flow rate of 13 litres which is not really enough for a combi boiler. Why not go the route of a system boiler with a hot water cylinder? No problems then with regard to flow rates and pressure. As for BG be aware that a lot of their fitters even ones in uniform are not employed by BG, they are sub contractors!

horsepills

not sure about having a cylinder - unless they can go in the loft? there's no spare room anywhere else. Thanks for all the replies by the way. I guess I need to get more people in to advise

EliteHeat

horsepills wrote: »

I guess I need to get more people in to advise

I hope that you make it quite clear to any tradesmen that you ask to come around that it is advice that you are after.

This is not free and neither is their time.