How long does it take to replace a combi boiler?

sho_me_da_money

I was just curious about the time it took to replace a combi boiler?

I have a Ravenheat combi that needs replacing with a Vaillant Eco Tect 837 Combi Condensing Boiler.

I suspect I also need the system power flushing before new boiler goes on.

Can anyone tell me how long should a proper power flush take and seperately how long will it take for a certified engineer to replace the combi?

Thanks,

gas4you

I would allow/quote for 2 days if it is a basic combi swap and flush.

flimsier

sho_me_da_money wrote: »

I was just curious about the time it took to replace a combi boiler?

I have a Ravenheat combi that needs replacing with a Vaillant Eco Tect 837 Combi Condensing Boiler.

I suspect I also need the system power flushing before new boiler goes on.

Can anyone tell me how long should a proper power flush take and seperately how long will it take for a certified engineer to replace the combi?

Thanks,

2 days with a good firm who work hard. Else 3 days.

Pincher

I gave a RGI two weeks while the tenants are away to replace one water heater, and one floor standing boiler. On the last day,
we were rushing to finish until 21:30 on the last day, and I had to rush out to B&Q at 20:30.

They turn up, do a bit, disappear for a few days. Come back for more suddenly, and expect me to be around to let them in. Every step was a potential disaster. If I hadn't caught him, the "other RGI" (subcontracted by the guy I hired) to do the pipework was going to leave the flue sticking out by 40cm, blocking half the side passage. The kitchen worktop was sagging because they forgot to put back a support panel. Both the RGI and his subcontractor forgot the boiler didn't have its own pump, so they had to redo the pipe work.

After the tenants came back, the boiler started having flame failure, and the RGI, and then the manufacturer had to be called, because a plastic label was sparking against the high tension leads.

During the flame failure, and a week after commissioning, so he had finished the job and I had already paid him, I noticed there was no empty inhibitor bottle next to the loft tank, so I asked him, and he said he was going to put it in, despite the fact we had no plans for him to do a follow up visit. So it had been running for a week without Inhibitor.

Oh, yes, no gas leak when it was commissioned, but the manufacturer's engineer did lots of tests when he came, and must have loosened the access screw, because the tenants smelled gas five months later, and the RGI just had to tighten it.

It therefore takes SIX MONTHS for them to make a start, continuously scr** up, wait for you to find the scr** ups,
fix it, get other engineers to come, who scr** up even more,
until eventually you have sorted all the faults out.

sho_me_da_money

flimsier wrote: »

2 days with a good firm who work hard. Else 3 days.

Are you saying 2 days for both?

1 day for power flushing and 1 day for boiler fitting?

I was told that to replace the boiler would take approximately 4 - 8 hours and power flushing 5 - 8 hours.

Does that sound correct?

sho_me_da_money

Pincher wrote: »

I gave a RGI two weeks while the tenants are away to replace one water heater, and one floor standing boiler. On the last day,
we were rushing to finish until 21:30 on the last day, and I had to rush out to B&Q at 20:30.

They turn up, do a bit, disappear for a few days. Come back for more suddenly, and expect me to be around to let them in. Every step was a potential disaster. If I hadn't caught him, the "other RGI" (subcontracted by the guy I hired) to do the pipework was going to leave the flue sticking out by 40cm, blocking half the side passage. The kitchen worktop was sagging because they forgot to put back a support panel. Both the RGI and his subcontractor forgot the boiler didn't have its own pump, so they had to redo the pipe work.

After the tenants came back, the boiler started having flame failure, and the RGI, and then the manufacturer had to be called, because a plastic label was sparking against the high tension leads.

During the flame failure, and a week after commissioning, so he had finished the job and I had already paid him, I noticed there was no empty inhibitor bottle next to the loft tank, so I asked him, and he said he was going to put it in, despite the fact we had no plans for him to do a follow up visit. So it had been running for a week without Inhibitor.

Oh, yes, no gas leak when it was commissioned, but the manufacturer's engineer did lots of tests when he came, and must have loosened the access screw, because the tenants smelled gas five months later, and the RGI just had to tighten it.

It therefore takes SIX MONTHS for them to make a start, continuously scr** up, wait for you to find the scr** ups,
fix it, get other engineers to come, who scr** up even more,
until eventually you have sorted all the faults out.

Damn, I hope that doesn't happen with me.

sho_me_da_money

I found an RGI to replace for £400.00 I also found a separate power flushing firm to do that for £200.00

Both individuals are listed on MyHammer and have over 40 ratings with an overall rating of 96% - 100%. To me, that seems very good.

Will I be making a mistake for going with them?

C_Mababejive

sho_me_da_money wrote: »

I found an RGI to replace for £400.00 I also found a separate power flushing firm to do that for £200.00

Both individuals are listed on MyHammer and have over 40 ratings with an overall rating of 96% - 100%. To me, that seems very good.

Will I be making a mistake for going with them?

Answer..you will only know once they have left and what warranty will you be left with?

Would you hire an estate agent/doctor/dentist/lawyer off myhammer?

rockin_plumber

Pincher wrote: »

During the flame failure, and a week after commissioning, so he had finished the job and I had already paid him, I noticed there was no empty inhibitor bottle next to the loft tank, so I asked him, and he said he was going to put it in, despite the fact we had no plans for him to do a follow up visit. So it had been running for a week without Inhibitor.

So technichally it hadnt been commisioned.
When you fill out the benchmark certificate on thing it asks is what inhibitor has been added.

Leaving an uncommisioned appliance a big NO NO!!!

As for leaving an empty bottle next to the tank, I dont make a habbit of leaving my unwanted rubbish in peoples roof spaces, better to leave the label supplied with the inhibitor by the boiler/main drain down point.

amcluesent

>It therefore takes SIX MONTHS for them to make a start, continuously scr** up,<

All professional trades are a conspiracy against the layman. The plumbers must be plotting how to get the the same ridiculous 'no touchee' rules that gas and electricians enjoy to fleece the homeowner.

Pincher

rockin_plumber wrote: »

So technichally it hadnt been commisioned.
When you fill out the benchmark certificate on thing it asks is what inhibitor has been added.

Leaving an uncommisioned appliance a big NO NO!!!

As for leaving an empty bottle next to the tank, I dont make a habbit of leaving my unwanted rubbish in peoples roof spaces, better to leave the label supplied with the inhibitor by the boiler/main drain down point.

Actually, my regular CORGI/RGI guy always leaves the empty Inhibitor bottle next to the loft tank, even though he and his asistant do clean up afterwards. I actually find it comforting to find it, because then I know it's been put in. He probably uses it as a reminder as well: no empty bottle, not done!

The six month RGI was a new one recommended by a builder, because my regular guy and his usual builder support were all away, like the tenants. Everybody on holiday, except me.:o

It's fair enough not putting the inhibitor in straightaway, because if you find leaks during soak testing, after major works, you have to drain it again. At the point of filling out the commissioning report, it did not have inhibitor, but it had only just been switched on for half an hour.

This brings on a point about the TWO days estimate. Any leaks through the ceiling and faults could take days to show up,
so I am perfectly happy for the RGI to go away for a few days,
while I put the system through its paces.

Ideally, what I want is not pay till a week later.
The RGI can write up the commissioning report,
but not give it to me until I pay up, of course.

With my regular guy, he is so bad with his paperwork,
I have to remind him to issue an invoice,
otherwise I won't know what to pay him because we never talk how much before and during the work. So by the time I pay him,
it's usually months afterwards, so plenty of time for soak testing.

I live in fear of when he retires, he's nearly sixty.