New Boiler

MrsMondragon

I need a new boiler as my old one has broken down. Its only five years old but im not spending any more on repairs. Ive been quoted 2996 pounds for a replacement boiler including labour. Is this reasonable? I was told by the company that its cheaper to fit a boiler the first time, rather than replace an exisiting boiler thats why its so expensive. I was told that they had to connect the new boiler to old pipework. Am I being taken for a ride?

Tallymanjohn

I'm just having my boiler replaced - quotes varied from £2100 to £3500 for a 30kW boiler in same place as old one. Few extra additions like new programmer & thermostat but nothing major. Most expensive quotes were from British Gas & Powergen, eventually opted for local CORGI registered fitter supplying a Worcester/Bosch boiler, paying £2300. It's definitely worth getting more than one quote - I had 9 companies around & it's interesting what the differences are.

alanobrien

I would be suprised if you couldnt knock 500 off that quote.
Find some local heating engineers and get a few quotes.

Here is a link to the Corgi site which will help you locate local people.

http://www.corgi-gas-safety.com/section_gas_law/about_installer_find_installer.asp

missk_ensington

I've jus had my boiler done, I previously had an old back boiler so the work included: Removal of fire, and back boiler from behind wall, removal of water tank, fitting of new boiler (through 18 inch thick walls!) and everything else thats involved. The only thing they didn't have to do was new radiators cos the old ones were okay.

I supplied the boiler (£399 from B&Q not the best boiler but it works fine, albeit a bit slow for hot water to come through) and they charged me £700 labour. Total £1100. (Thats in Lancashire)

I'm by no means an expert, but I very much doubt that connecting new boiler to old pipes will make any difference to connecting new boiler to new pipes. No ones pipes could have been older than mine (1972) and my price was still £700.

The best way is word of mouth, don't phone up through yellow pages or a big company cos inevitably they will cost more. I've said this in previous posts, go to your local pub at 5-6pm and look for men in overalls! Even if they aren't a gas fitter, no doubt they'll know one. Lanlords of pubs are also a great place to start as they know the profession of their tea time drinkers and will list off a load for you, and also know if they're decent and reliable people

mleonard79

I've just been getting quotes for a new boiler too. The highest I had was at £3000 and the others weren't much different - £2800 and £2900. As far as a new boiler and old pipes go from what I've found outit all depends on what type of boiler you're getting put in. It apparently does make a difference if you are getting rid of a conventional boiler to get in a combi one as the pipes might not work with the combi or you could have problems down the road. Of course there's a chance they might work fine but as far as I can tell it's a case of you don't know if they'll work until it's fitted and there's no guarantees it will and if it doesn't that's extra expense. I didn't want to take this risk so am getting the pipes replaced too. Our pipes are very narrow and for combis they should be wider but again it all depends on your set-up. I'm sure some nice experts on here would be able to tell you properly but as for the price I think it sounds pretty average. As others have said though get as many quotes as you can, shopping around will save you money.

Regards

Michelle

missk_ensington

I may be wrong but I think they're blagging you in the same way car garages blag you at MOT time and tell you need a new steering rack and new brakes and new clutch when actually you dont!

kazzagrezza

We had a new combi boiler supplied and fitted about 18 months ago, albeit it was not a top of the range boiler it was a Ferolli. We had a back boiler originally and our corgi gas fitter took it out, installed a brand new living flame gas fire, fire surround and hearth (which we supplied), took the tank out of the attic along with the tank in the airing cupboard, replaced most of the pipework, supplied and fitted two new radiators with thermostats, supplied and fitted a new Mira shower and lined the chimney and put a grate over the top to stop birds flying in and it cost us £2,500 - we were extremely pleased and it took around 2 1/2 days to complete.

I would say get a few local quotes from reliable corgi registered companies as I think you can get a better deal elsewhere.

mleonard79

Wow kazzagrezza - that isn't half a power of work you got done for just £2,500!! Do you mind me asking what size of house/flat do you have as that can make a difference to the price as far as I know. So when you get a combi boiler in do you have to change your fire?? I hadn't thought of that. We've had a nightmare with our latest fire to be honest - it seems to eat gas but has only been in 2 years and we can't afford to be adding that in as well I've been told we may have to change the shower and I've just got everything crossed we don't as it's only been in a year and cost a whopping £400 at the time! Would be very cross to have to fork out the same for another one.

Hi missk_ensignton - That's a pretty awesome price you managed to do yours at. I thought they were just at it and trying to bump the price up as well but when I had a good look at how thin the pipes are and talked to more people, even some experts on here, I realised that replacing the pipes probably is necessary. A plumber on here said:

When changing from older conventional systems to modern condensing boilers, if there is any evidence of sludging in the system (i.e. low cold spots in the radiators) then it is now very advisable to renew as much of the system as possible, especially sludged radiators, as the smaller heat exchangers in these boilers are very prone to limescale formation when there is any impedance to the flow through the waterways, i.e. sludge in the system elsewhere.

Read the conversation in my thread too MrsM to get an idea

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=227704

I still think what we're paying is quite high but it is a large old flat build circa 1900 with very high ceilings so I guess it's about right for us - wouldn't mind getting the fire, shower etc added in too though for that price Kazzagrezza, very jealous!!

Regards

Michelle

MrsMondragon

My present combi is a Vokera, but ive spent over 900 pounds having it repaired on two occasions. This time I think its best I get a new boiler as I dont think its worth getting a repair done. They have offered an Ideal boiler as a replacement. The Ideal boiler has a 5 year guarantee. The people that are going to do the work are called Iguana, and they are CORGI registered. Thanks for everyones replies.

MarkyMarkD

You've spent £900 having the existing (very new) boiler repaired over 5 years, and yet you think it's worth replacing it with one costing almost £3k which will STILL only have a 5 year guarantee?

I can't help suggesting that you are jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

It would make a lot more sense to get a different, reputable, repairer to repair the original boiler.

HugoSP

Have a GOOD hunt around for a good plumber who may do eavenings and weekend work.

I have had three combies fitted that I bought myself. The latest Caffataux Britony cost me a poultry £315 plus vat and I got it fitted for £250. These are in separate properties.

Mind you I have built up a good relationship with a good Corgi guy who now works for someone else but is trying to pay his mortgage off as well.

There is one HELL of a mark up on boilers in the trade but there are also loads of good honest plumbers out there who, will charge a reasonable sum in exchange for working for a nice customer.

British Gas really do take the biscuit when it comes to pricing up. Half the time other compaies subcontract the work to someone who gets paid 50% of what you are being charged.

My advice would be to contact a few professionals in the trade in your area, such as surveyors, QSs and the like. Get a few names and start from there. Also, go to a number of letting agencies and ask them. They'll have tradespeople who they use a lot of the time becauese they get good value for money service from them