Central Heating & Plumbing Costs?

cathyl_3

Hi everyone ,my first post but am addicted to these boards so please be kind! we have completely gutted a house we have bought, and taken out all central heating including boiler and all pipework as it was old it was a three bed detached with one bathroom and cloakroom and we are making it a four bed with 2 ensuites with showers one will also have a bath & then a family bathroom with shower.
we are hoping to have a megaflow system installed with about 12 radiators, we want 3 heated towel rails installed. a gas fire to be installed downstairs
I know the water pipe entry to the house has to be moved approx 2ft
all ensuites and bathrooms to be installed. all bathrooms showers etc supplied by us
we have been quoted £15,000. which seems excessive or is it?
bear in mind the house is empty completely free pipes etc and my hubby has also dug the concrete out for pipework in advance
any advise greatly appreciated.
Thanks

raymond

For well under two weeks work by one person, thats VERY expensive.

It depends on exactly what the plumber is supplying of course ..

cathyl_3

thanks for reply he will be supplying everything apart from showers, bathroom suites ,gas fire, he has said there will be 2 of them working.
After reading about some of the installations on here it just seemed very high, will get some more quotes but everyone to busy at moment to come and quote. any ideas of what it would expect to be within a range ££

plumb1_2

cathyl wrote:

Hi everyone ,my first post but am addicted to these boards so please be kind! we have completely gutted a house we have bought, and taken out all central heating including boiler and all pipework as it was old it was a three bed detached with one bathroom and cloakroom and we are making it a four bed with 2 ensuites with showers one will also have a bath & then a family bathroom with shower.
we are hoping to have a megaflow system installed with about 12 radiators, we want 3 heated towel rails installed. a gas fire to be installed downstairs
I know the water pipe entry to the house has to be moved approx 2ft
all ensuites and bathrooms to be installed. all bathrooms showers etc supplied by us
we have been quoted £15,000. which seems excessive or is it?
bear in mind the house is empty completely free pipes etc and my hubby has also dug the concrete out for pipework in advance
any advise greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Good choice to go with the Megaflow with a F/F Condenseing boiler.
I would also check the size of the incoming main and do a pressure test, recomend a 25mm main.
The price £15k, is a little on the high side imo, does this also involve any alterations to drains? as maybe you will need extra connections for soil pipes.
Also is there any work req to the flue for the gas fire?(re-lining)

If not i would sat about 10- 12k tops

cathyl_3

thanks so much for your speedy replies glad i posted now !
will double check all work to be done, and bear all your points in mind and check
spec with plumber. may post again if have any further questions hope you dont mind!
Thanks again

moneysavingplumber

I agree with plumb1 (as usual!) but the only point I would make is that Megaflo is not a generic term for an unvented system although it seems to be used as such. We all have our favourites and from my experience I much prefer the Range Tribune cylinder, and it is a good deal cheaper than the Heatrae Megaflo. Personally I think it is an advantage to have a separate expansion vessel like the Tribune does, and which the Megaflo doesn't.

If there are long pipe runs involved between cylinder and bathroom/kitchen, then ensure the price includes the fitting of a bronze pumped secondary return incorporating a pipe-stat, in order to keep the water hot at the furthest point. All shower cold supplies should be supplied off of the cylinder manufacturer's balancing valve and not just tee-ed into the main at any point. It's these kind of details that add costs to a job that people often don't consider.

andrewmoorcroft

I would ask for a breakdown of costs. Ie. labour plus main components plus incidentals. This way you can check the price for each item and find the daily rate. Plumbers:- pay no more than £150. Gas fitter:- no more than £200.
For the installation you have described i would use a worcester 40CDi condensor combi at 16.3l/min. You can use higher flow models integrated with a tank but the installation is more costly. One thing that some people miss with high flow combis is that you must have a high enough flow/pressure to support high flow combis. I.e; there's no point in getting a boiler that can supply 20l/min if the main supply only supplies 15l/min at the required pressure.

Another consideration: Get a 30 or 35CDi at 12.6 or 14.3l/min and use an electric ensuite. This way you have an alternative power source if the boiler goes down. The electric will be less efficient but ensuites are often used only occasionally anyway.

ADDED NOTE: I've just read your post again and think you need a highflow system! I read your post too quickly and thought you were in a similar position to me having a 4 bed + 1 bathroom + 1 ensuite shower. So let me ask the plumbers. "Is a 40CDi the right boiler for me?

Hope you've not got a water meter!

cathyl_3

Thankyou guys for all your advise have another plumber coming wednesday to quote so will be more aware and prepared with the info given on here, what a great site, your brill!!

bestyman

andrewmoorcroft wrote:

I would ask for a breakdown of costs. Ie. labour plus main components plus incidentals. This way you can check the price for each item and find the daily rate. Plumbers:- pay no more than £150. Gas fitter:- no more than £200.

Andrew, £150 a day is £18.75 an hour.

If you know a good plumber who works for that will you tell him to ring me.

andrewmoorcroft

bestyman wrote:

andrewmoorcroft wrote:

I would ask for a breakdown of costs. Ie. labour plus main components plus incidentals. This way you can check the price for each item and find the daily rate. Plumbers:- pay no more than £150. Gas fitter:- no more than £200.

Andrew, £150 a day is £18.75 an hour.

If you know a good plumber who works for that will you tell him to ring me.

That's how much i pay and it's good work. I use this guy when i renovate properties. It very much depends on area. I expect plumbers in large cities with expensive properties (such as London) would have to charge much more.

RedOnRed

raymond wrote:

For well under two weeks work by one person, thats VERY expensive.

Well under two weeks work? That's not very realistic.

I'd expect it to take longer. It took over two weeks to do just our bathroom and en-suite by two men and I thought that was pretty quick with all the work involved.

If it's an empty house on a building site and they can make all the mess they like...maybe.