Heating Repair Cost - help!

clueless11

I have had ongoing problems with my gas central heating system for about 3 years. This is when I moved into the house so problems may date back longer. Downstairs radiators are not heating properly and pump/boiler is noisy and appears to airlock regularly. No air appears to be in radiators but some can be released from the pipe next to the cylinder tank. The boiler is working and the pump is working and upstairs is heating normally. I have been told that the pipework is old (very thin pipes) and is sludged up and needs replaced and flushed. Can anyone give me an idea of how much I should expect this to cost - new pipes to 3 downstairs radiators (supplied & fitted), new single radiator approx 4ft (supplied and fitted), full system power flush (7 radiator system)? I really dont want to get ripped off but need to get to the bottom of the constant problems

sleepystar1975

I think British Gas have a flat rate charge for repairs (about £100 I was told). May be worth considering
Also, I did something that was, well, quite naughty. When our boiler stopped working the day before we went on holiday. We joined the British Gas homecare plan. Then went on our fortnights holiday, then phoned them with the "problem" which they came out and repaired inder the homecare plan. Since then, they do a yearly MOT and all bolier repairs are covered within the plan. Higher rates of the plan covers more of your heating system I think. My also be worth looking in to.

kerri_gt

sleepystar1975 wrote: »

I think British Gas have a flat rate charge for repairs (about £100 I was told). May be worth considering
Also, I did something that was, well, quite naughty. When our boiler stopped working the day before we went on holiday. We joined the British Gas homecare plan. Then went on our fortnights holiday, then phoned them with the "problem" which they came out and repaired inder the homecare plan. Since then, they do a yearly MOT and all bolier repairs are covered within the plan. Higher rates of the plan covers more of your heating system I think. My also be worth looking in to.

Sorry that I can't advise how much this might cost but I would suggest you have three local companies quote for the work that they think will be required (see if you can get any recommendations from friends/family in the area). I'm not sure about BG homecare (could be worth looking into) but when our heating/hw went a few weeks ago, BG wanted £189 before they even came out, this would cover labour up to 1 1/2hrs, not parts or VAT. If it went over 2hrs, labour itself would be up to £399 :eek: In contrast the local company I called (Corgi and Gassafe registered) charged me £140 labour and total was £270 for the replacement part (circulator and two valves needed replacing) incl VAT. He was at the house nearly 2hrs. I have also heard BG are very keen at condemming boilers which aren't necessarily non-repairable or even that old.

tanveer_1476

I had a similar issue earlier this year (Feb2010) with my old ravenheat boiler (Installed by previous homeowner). The boiler had broken down and needed urgent repair and found out BG were offering £99 parts+labour service under the condition that you signed up to homecare agreement. Opted for deal and bolier was fixed and proved to be a good saving at the time.

They came out several times afterwards for the boiler (forums stated regular problems with the boiler) and they tried to sell me a power flush several times claiming the system required it even though the heat was being distributed evenly across the system. Each time I got an engineer they were always looking for a opt out clause to not fix the boiler i.e. power flush not done. Someone did mention draining radiators and adding sentinol which only costs £15 and will do a good job to clear muck.

They also tried to sell me a new boiler system for £3500 which could be sourced locally for £1100-1200.

Then recently as Tuesday my boiler broke down resulting in no heating and hot water. Called out BG and engineer said that it required a part and would be available next day.

Waited on Weds to discover that the parts were stuck in Leicester and could not be delivered. Spoke to BG and stated it was amazing that a company their size could not arrange an alternative part from a diff supplier. Then Thurs they tried to use the same excuse but told them that I could drive to Leicester myself and pick up the part and then amazingly they arranged a royal mail courier.

Now Friday and still waiting for the engineer (morning visit), this experience has really put me off BG and will look to transfer to Homeserve once the contract expires in Feb 2011.

The worst part is that I have phoned them 7-8 times complaining that I have 3 children aged 1,7 (asthmatic) and 9 who are being affected greatly by no bolier and all they could offer me was a mobile heater.

Also found the communication very poor and most of the time I had to phone them to find out what was going on and rather it should have been them informing me.

Then they have the nerve to increase fuel prices.

macman

Believe me,you won't find Homeserve any better. Don't bother with service contracts, they are a complete waste of money. Find a local recommended GSR RGI who knows your make and model and get them to service it once a year. Put all the money you will save into the bank for use should it break down and you need a call out.

Pincher

Three quotes!

I have trouble getting one to turn up.
Typically, you ring up, and they say they'll come in two days.
On the day, you ring up, they say can't make it that day, how about tomorrow. Etc.

Even my reglular guy can take two weeks to turn up.
I need my GCH filled two days ago, having given him notice last week, so I can get some heat. He's coming next week, and no firm date!

On the other hand, how do these guys make a living, if they waste their time giving free quotes?

keystone

tanveer_1476 wrote: »

........this experience has really put me off BG and will look to transfer to Homeserve once the contract expires in Feb 2011.

Out of the frying pan into the fire LoL. Homeserve have an even less envied reputation than BG. Thought about trying the AA?

Macman is correct- self insure.

Cheers

keystone

Pincher wrote: »

I need my GCH filled two days ago,

What does that mean?

Cheers

Pincher

keystone wrote: »

What does that mean?

Cheers

Doing en-suite bathroom, new towel radiator means we drained the system. First tiler turned up about once a week since October, so can never mount the towel radiator. Finally found a second tiler to take over last week: hurrah. Told plumber we will be in a position to mount the radiator this week, so he had plenty of notice. Rang him on Wednesday, two days ago, all ready for him, and he says he can come NEXT WEEK, and no firm date.

Yes, I am in a freezing house. The cans of coke in the garage is colder than the ones in the fridge. The tile adhesive wasn't drying, so I was using a Calorgas heater 24 hours a day to keep the tiles warm! The bottle ALWAYS run out when you can't get any! The first two garages sold out, and then it turned 10pm. 24 hour petrol forecourts will sell you petrol through a window, but after 10pm them won't come out to unlock the cage to sell you a bottle of Calorgas. I can touch the bottle through the cage, I just can't have it!

Oil filled electric heater in bedroom keeping pneumonia away.

A tiler I used four years ago said last year his waiting list is 6 months!

This is why I shriek hysterically when somebody blithely says "get three quotes".