New Boiler Installation - Shocking Quote... Help?

SiriaGM

Good evening everyone,

I am new to this forum but I am not sure where else to get advice.

The house I bought in the Medways has an ancient back boiler which is installed in the living room fireplace. At the front of it there is an electric heater.

The boiler is a bit scary looking and I don't know when it was last serviced. The other night there was a strong smell of gas, so I switched everything off. Once that was done, the smell vanished, so I am pretty sure it was due to the boiler, not a leak somewhere else.

That concerned me enough to decide to change the boiler, so I called about a dozen companies to ask whether they could give me a quote.

A week later and only one company actually got back to me, Swale Heating of Kent. A sales man visited and did a thorough inspection. He said that it would be quite expensive because they couldn't place the new boiler in the same area, i.e. the fireplace (Health & Safety reasons).

Because of that, there would be some new piping to be laid out, etc. etc. Whilst I understood the situation, I was flabbergasted when he returned with a quote of £3480 (incl. VAT) for a Vaillant Combi Boiler plus installation, radiator valves and power flush. No new radiators.

I can't deny the figure took my breath away and is way above anything I had imagined, especially at my property is a tiny terrace house (though I don't actually know if size makes a difference).

I don't have any experience with CH, so I can't figure whether I am being naive or if I am being taken for a ride. Unfortunately it doesn't help that I haven't managed to get any other quote.

Can you please give me your opinion or some advice? I would be most grateful... thanks!

Best,
SiriaGM

Canucklehead

SiriaGM wrote: »

Good evening everyone,

I am new to this forum but I am not sure where else to get advice.

The house I bought in the Medways has an ancient back boiler which is installed in the living room fireplace. At the front of it there is an electric heater.

The boiler is a bit scary looking and I don't know when it was last serviced. The other night there was a strong smell of gas, so I switched everything off. Once that was done, the smell vanished, so I am pretty sure it was due to the boiler, not a leak somewhere else.

That concerned me enough to decide to change the boiler, so I called about a dozen companies to ask whether they could give me a quote.

A week later and only one company actually got back to me, Swale Heating of Kent. A sales man visited and did a thorough inspection. He said that it would be quite expensive because they couldn't place the new boiler in the same area, i.e. the fireplace (Health & Safety reasons).

Because of that, there would be some new piping to be laid out, etc. etc. Whilst I understood the situation, I was flabbergasted when he returned with a quote of £3480 (incl. VAT) for a Vaillant Combi Boiler plus installation, radiator valves and power flush. No new radiators.

I can't deny the figure took my breath away and is way above anything I had imagined, especially at my property is a tiny terrace house (though I don't actually know if size makes a difference).

I don't have any experience with CH, so I can't figure whether I am being naive or if I am being taken for a ride. Unfortunately it doesn't help that I haven't managed to get any other quote.

Can you please give me your opinion or some advice? I would be most grateful... thanks!

Best,
SiriaGM

Good evening: A bit pricey for the Medway towns. Which Vaillant combi did they specify i.e. Ecotec Plus 824,831,837 or Ecotec Pro 824 or 828 (Vaillant bargain basement boiler with 1 year warranty) as this will impact on domestic hot water supply(higher kW= higher flow rate). Did you ask for a combi quote or would you prefer a regular boiler with cylinder?
This guide from the Energy Saving Trust has excellent info on the specification and installation of gas central heating.

You need to get 3 fully itemized quotes, preferably from RGIs recommended to you by a source you trust, and compare each quote like for like. Check the RGI's registration with CORGI and always ask to see a RGI's CORGI card before allowing anyone to conduct gas work in your home

For an installation of this type my OH would first establish whether the existing mains water supply has adequate flow/pressure and then discuss the benefits/downsides of a combi with the client.

A one person band would probably be able to provide a more competitive quote than a large heating firm such as Swale (we know them well;)).

HTH

Canucklehead

.

isayoldchap

SiriaGM wrote: »

Good evening everyone,

I am new to this forum but I am not sure where else to get advice.

The house I bought in the Medways has an ancient back boiler which is installed in the living room fireplace. At the front of it there is an electric heater.

The boiler is a bit scary looking and I don't know when it was last serviced. The other night there was a strong smell of gas, so I switched everything off. Once that was done, the smell vanished, so I am pretty sure it was due to the boiler, not a leak somewhere else.



That concerned me enough to decide to change the boiler, so I called about a dozen companies to ask whether they could give me a quote.

A week later and only one company actually got back to me, Swale Heating of Kent. A sales man visited and did a thorough inspection. He said that it would be quite expensive because they couldn't place the new boiler in the same area, i.e. the fireplace (Health & Safety reasons).

Because of that, there would be some new piping to be laid out, etc. etc. Whilst I understood the situation, I was flabbergasted when he returned with a quote of £3480 (incl. VAT) for a Vaillant Combi Boiler plus installation, radiator valves and power flush. No new radiators.

I can't deny the figure took my breath away and is way above anything I had imagined, especially at my property is a tiny terrace house (though I don't actually know if size makes a difference).

I don't have any experience with CH, so I can't figure whether I am being naive or if I am being taken for a ride. Unfortunately it doesn't help that I haven't managed to get any other quote.

Can you please give me your opinion or some advice? I would be most grateful... thanks!

Best,
SiriaGM

Hi
This guy is from Brentwood,Essex
110325903777 Put this number into Ebay search.
Please see my post 15/12/08
Not for everyones needs but I'm they could quote for a boiler to suit

roses

I phoned up 5 people from the Corgi website and managed to get back 3 quotes after a lot of chasing. Found one I was happy with and this was for £4000 (new boiler in new location so more or less the same as you).

Corgi website is your best bet for finding a decent installer and go with your gut feel when you meet them. NOT Ebay! I have used a few tradesmen before from the internet and they are ALL rubbish. Someone who has the time to sit around answering emails all days long can't have that good a business.

Browntoa

medway has a fair trader scheme

http://www.medway.gov.uk/fairtrader

The Medway Fair Trader Scheme is operated by Medway Trading Standards Service and helps businesses comply with the law and improve consumer protection. It operates within Medway for businesses that are based there. They can become members provided they meet the terms and conditions of the scheme

I've used

Brightside Heating

in the past who are on the list

isayoldchap

roses wrote: »

I phoned up 5 people from the Corgi website and managed to get back 3 quotes after a lot of chasing. Found one I was happy with and this was for £4000 (new boiler in new location so more or less the same as you).

Corgi website is your best bet for finding a decent installer and go with your gut feel when you meet them. NOT Ebay! I have used a few tradesmen before from the internet and they are ALL rubbish. Someone who has the time to sit around answering emails all days long can't have that good a business.

Hi
Each job of course on it's own merits but this member is showing 100% with 100 feedbacks and maybe of assistance to the OP.
I wouldn't slate them all with the same brush.

Magnolia

We had the same situation as you just over 3 weeks ago - here is a list of works planned:

Baxi Duotec 24 he with 2 year warranty.

We will remove the cylinder and head tanks. We will alter the existing pipework to suit the new system.
We will decommission the existing gas fire and boiler and remove leaving a builders opening.
The new gas supply pipework will run as discussed to the boiler.
Central heating pipework will be fitted with a strainer, cold supplies to the boiler will be fitted with a shock arrester and limescale inhibitor, these items are designed to help protect the boiler and its components.
A Condensate pipe will be routed to the drain.
All new pipework in unheated spaces will be lagged to prevent freezing and heat loss.
We will supply and new thermostatic radiator valves x 2.
We will chemically power flush the existing system in order to remove sludge and corrosion, although this is not an aggressive process it has been known to highlight weaknesses in the existing system – should any remedial work be required, this is not included in the price of the estimate.
We have included for a digistat to control the heating system.
Upon completion of the heating system an inhibitor will be added to help protect the system from further corrosion.
The system will be commissioned, certified and registered with CORGI as per Building Regulations Part L 2005.
We will board the floor area around the boiler - as per gas regulations.
Waste materials associated with these works will be removed from site.

quote price £2760

We also had 2 radiators replaced at a cost of £280

It is not straight forward as an existing system has to be adapted for the new system.

This job was in North Yorkshire and took 3 days to complete (they worked over the weekend as we had no hot water!)

Local tradesman

*edit* I forgot to say - 2 bed bungalow