Another Central Heating Quote + Boiler query

chem14346777

I had a guy come round at the weekend to quote us for installing GSH throughout the house. Its a new install, with 5 rads.

He quoted us £2,100

This includes labour and all the kit, an Ariston Microgenus 2 28he (28kw) boiler, and the removal of the existing hot water tank (phew!).

This just seems too good to be true?? I've not had any other quotes (don't see the point after getting this one!)

So.

1) is the above boiler any good? I've done a quick google and they are, apparently a popular boiler-- do you have one? are they any good?

2) whats the catch?? he's corgi registered, seemed like a decent guy (if a bit chatty), and has supplied the quote very professionally... is there anything I should be wary of?

devmcc

I want that man!! Sounds like a whopper deal - is he in the North West by any chance... I have my fingers crossed!

chem14346777

Well, exactly, I'm the unluckiest guy in the world generally so I don't know how I've stumbled upon him-- the first person I try out of the paper, and I get deal of the century. I'm guessing he'll blow the house up or something.

He's based in the Midlands, I'll post more details up when I get home.

escapee

chem14346777 wrote:

He's based in the Midlands, I'll post more details up when I get home.

Hi chem roughly what area of the midlands are you located? I have had two quotes for simliar work (but replacing as opposed to new install) and been quoted nearly £3700 which I find quite steep.

My problem is I am hesitant to just pluck names out of the paper as chances are I will get a cowboy, but then no one local to me has had any similar work done for me to gain recommendations.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that you are fairly local to me, then maybe you could recommend the guy after completing your install

chem14346777

escapee wrote:

Hi chem roughly what area of the midlands are you located? I have had two quotes for simliar work (but replacing as opposed to new install) and been quoted nearly £3700 which I find quite steep.

My problem is I am hesitant to just pluck names out of the paper as chances are I will get a cowboy, but then no one local to me has had any similar work done for me to gain recommendations.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that you are fairly local to me, then maybe you could recommend the guy after completing your install

hahaha.. Well, I'm living in Shrewsbury but this guy is Telford based (Broseley to be precise), he's got a big backlog of work (4-6 weeks), so it'll be a little while before I know for sure.

Skiduck

looks a good quote, boiler is a bit pants, but hey ho.
Ask what rads he is using and look at their outputs, similar sized rads do not give similar outputs - he should have sized them right.

I'm assuming he is a one man band...
We charge roughly £2500 plus vat for the same, but we have a lot of overheads as we are a large firm. (reputation gets us an install rather than price).

If you are happy with the boiler and his competence, go for it. You can check his credentials direct with corgi rather than asking him, after all lots say they are registered without being.

chem14346777

Ahh right, when you say the boiler is pants, is it not up to the job/inefficient/unreliable?

what would you recommend for a standard sized 3 bed mid terrace?

Bearing in mind we plan on living here for 3 years max, and are only installing GCH to put value on the property, so long as it is OK in this period, I'll be happy.

What boilers do you install?

I did a quick google on Ariston, and the boiler seems quite popular, and they are obviously quite a large manufacturer of white goods so thought this would be OK. obviously I'm keen on getting this right though.

Skiduck

chem14346777 wrote:

Ahh right, when you say the boiler is pants, is it not up to the job/inefficient/unreliable?

what would you recommend for a standard sized 3 bed mid terrace?

Bearing in mind we plan on living here for 3 years max, and are only installing GCH to put value on the property, so long as it is OK in this period, I'll be happy.

What boilers do you install?

I did a quick google on Ariston, and the boiler seems quite popular, and they are obviously quite a large manufacturer of white goods so thought this would be OK. obviously I'm keen on getting this right though.

When I was a merchant manager, most of my customers would throw an ariston back in my face, it gave me a general idea on how good they were. They have had their problems, like glow worm and baxi before.
Baxi have now sorted themselves out.
Ariston are imported, so I think there is where the problem lies - importing a boiler will always leave a chance of anything shunting inside, thus making them an installers nightmare and U/S

Boilers of preference in my old job and preference of the installers I am with now are:

Ideal, Worcester, Vaillant, Baxi and Potterton.

I would probably say, you would be best off with a nice cheap Ideal Icos HE18 in your situation.

But if that puts your quote up, look at the Ariston, all I can say is what installers have told me.

chem14346777

Right, gotcha.

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll have a shufty for the boiler you recommend, and a word with the plumber-- see if we can sort something out.