Boiler price scare

j999_2

Hello, I've had a few problems with my old volkera combo boiler and the engineer that just came suggested it needs to be replaced. He said it will cost about 1400 for the model he suggested. Can you tell me if this is right/realistic.

I live in London in a one bedroom flat and so the demands on the boiler are not huge. I know it's important but just want some opinions. I will of course get more than one quote and am waiting for his final itemised one but any help you can give me in the meantime might be a good start.
Thank you.

Canucklehead

j999 wrote: »

Hello, I've had a few problems with my old volkera combo boiler and the engineer that just came suggested it needs to be replaced. He said it will cost about 1400 for the model he suggested. Can you tell me if this is right/realistic.

I live in London in a one bedroom flat and so the demands on the boiler are not huge. I know it's important but just want some opinions. I will of course get more than one quote and am waiting for his final itemised one but any help you can give me in the meantime might be a good start.
Thank you.

Good morning: £1400 is dirt cheap for a combi swap in London. Examine the quotation carefully and check the RGI's Gas Safe registration here. More on what you should consider here

Let us know how you get on.

HTH

Canucklehead

Pincher

Everything heating related seems to start from around

£800 material + £300 labour + 20% VAT = £1,320 these days.


http://www.plumbnation.co.uk/site/vokera-unica-28he-combi-boiler-natural-gas/

"...Also an Automatic bypass and easy-fit condense connection as well as standard Vokera pipework layout enables trouble-free replacement of older Vokera Boiler models."

Volkera Unica 28HE Combi £666.11, Flue kit £51.39, plus VAT
This leaves about £90 for a TF1 filter.

No Powerflush
No new TRVs.

Sounds good value to me for a straight swap.

Canucklehead

Pincher wrote: »

Everything heating related seems to start from around

£800 material + £300 labour + 20% VAT = £1,320 these days.


http://www.plumbnation.co.uk/site/vokera-unica-28he-combi-boiler-natural-gas/

"...Also an Automatic bypass and easy-fit condense connection as well as standard Vokera pipework layout enables trouble-free replacement of older Vokera Boiler models."

Volkera Unica 28HE Combi £666.11, Flue kit £51.39, plus VAT
This leaves about £90 for a TF1 filter.

No Powerflush
No new TRVs.

Sounds good value to me for a straight swap.

Good afternoon: psychic quoting...I should have seen that coming. ;)RGIs, recommended by a source the OP trusts, would best placed to quote, after seeing the job and discussing the OP's requirements. A £1400 combi install in London doesn't scream 'value for money' to me:invariably something has got to give.

Perhaps the OP could give us the full specification for the £1400 quote when he/she receives it? Or.....the OP could retain the current appliance if it is not beyond economical repair....truly the MSE way.

Canucklehead

Pincher

Canucklehead wrote: »

psychic quoting...I should have seen that coming.

Since when do MSE members turn up at a poster's home to see what needs doing? I gave a sample breakdown based on real part prices.

I had a look at Plumbcenter prices, and the Vokera Unica 28 HE is £1237.50 + VAT = £1,485.00, excluding the flue. :eek:

Even if you have 15% Trade Discount, plus 5% Personal Discount, the £1,400 quote still doesn't make sense: IF YOU SHOP AT Plumbcenter.

Canucklehead

Pincher wrote: »

Since when do MSE members turn up at a poster's home to see what needs doing? I gave a sample breakdown based on real part prices.

I had a look at Plumbcenter prices, and the Vokera Unica 28 HE is £1237.50 + VAT = £1,485.00, excluding the flue. :eek:

Even if you have 15% Trade Discount, plus 5% Personal Discount, the £1,400 quote still doesn't make sense: IF YOU SHOP AT Plumbcenter.

Good morning: I am not disputing the cost of the equipment at Plumbnation listed by you. However, your estimate is incomplete and does not reflect the full cost of a combi install (materials and labour) as this is determined by site requirements, the specification, the standard of the installation and the location in the UK, London being the most expensive for labour and other overheads.

A RGI, after conductng a site survey and discussing the OP's requirements, is best placed to advise.;)

HTH

Canucklehead

Pincher

Canucklehead wrote: »

However, your estimate is incomplete and does not reflect the full cost of a combi install (materials and labour) as this is determined by site requirements, the specification, the standard of the installation and the location in the UK, London being the most expensive for labour and other overheads.

I wasn't giving a quote, I was showing how a £1,400 quote can make sense, by doing the absolute bare minimum.

Of course he should think about 22mm gas supply, powerflush, TF1 and TRVs. He should also think about hiding the pipe run and how to run the condensate and be shopping for tiles and wall paper for the making good. You know from the tortured expression that they don't really want to know. You mean you can't just teleport the gas wirelessly to the boiler without ruining his nice tiles, even if he pays extra? You are a professional, aren't you?;)

Canucklehead

Pincher wrote: »

I wasn't giving a quote, I was showing how a £1,400 quote can make sense, by doing the absolute bare minimum.

Of course he should think about 22mm gas supply, powerflush, TF1 and TRVs. He should also think about hiding the pipe run and how to run the condensate and be shopping for tiles and wall paper for the making good. You know from the tortured expression that they don't really want to know. You mean you can't just teleport the gas wirelessly to the boiler without ruining his nice tiles, even if he pays extra? You are a professional, aren't you?;)

Hi: estimate was the word I used and you haven't provided a materials list for the 'absolute bare minimum' either...I know that has been detailed on here many times by others over the years.;)


HTH

Canucklehead

Pincher

Boiler, flue and TF1.

What did I miss out? Bits of piping, elbow, solder, cement?

A mount-compatible Vokera probably doesn't even need a new flue.

Cleaning up and dispose of old boiler?

Blessing by a Rabbi?:D