help with boiler repair costs?

sweet_escape

Hiya I've never posted on here before so I'm sorry if this is in the wrong section. I just wanted some quick advice for my mum. Her boiler has decided to pack up and she has been quoted thousands to fix it, its only 4yrs old and there is no way she can afford it. She started a full time job a few months ago after being on benefits for a while so I know she cant get help with the warm front scheme. She lives alone aswel she's 41. Does anyone have any more info on what help at she can get? Thanks

ollski

Can't imagine any repair that will cost 'thousands'!. Tell us what the boiler is, the problem and the repair they are quoting and we will try to help you out a bit.

peter000

My mum is unemployed and requires a new boiler due to the current one breaking. She was told she's not eligible for a Warm Front grant as she has been working and paying National Insurance contributions up until a few months ago! If she was a foreign person new to the country or hadn't worked all her life she'd be eligible apparently...

bengasman

Sounds like a typical rip off cowboy story. If she is really unlucky and has a really crap boiler with a really bad problem, you are talking hundreds, not thousands.

NotScottishPower

This is why people should take out boiler insurance. This way you dont have the problem about paying for a repair.

macman

NotScottishPower wrote: »

This is why people should take out boiler insurance. This way you dont have the problem about paying for a repair.

But most of the boilers that people want to get repaired 'free' would not pass the initial inspection. Insurance is not necessary if the boiler is properly maintained by means of an annual service. And of course, that will greatly reduce the possibility of a breakdown.

jimjames

NotScottishPower wrote: »

This is why people should take out boiler insurance. This way you dont have the problem about paying for a repair.

We have needed 2 repairs in the last 3 years. The total came to less than the insurance premiums would have been especially when you take the excess into account.

Even if you have insurance they still seem to have an excess of £60 or so (Homeserve) per incident.

Insurance isn't always a cheaper option - the insurance companies are pricing to make their money.

If the boiler is only 4 years old and the fault is something significant then there may be a case for going back to the manufacturer. A boiler is expected to last more than 4 years so should not fail so soon.

mikemaple

Hi,

I've just had a Service (£45) for a 25 year old boiler and was told that parts are still available. But if we wanted a replacement he could do one for £1600.

My point it that 1000's seems far to much !

I'd get some more quotes - if you mums in an area covered by the buy with cofidence scheme (trading standards backed) - i'd get someone out from there to quote.

http://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/sitepages/bwchome.aspx

C_Mababejive

make model and description of problem please? Cant believe a 4 year old boiler is finished.

As for help...the only thingi can suggest is a thermal vest.

Free boilers and cut price gas are only available to the layabouts of this country

Pincher

If the government really wants to help, they should set up some travelling inspectors who come to the aid of low-income households. Just not being ripped off is a big help.

Re-train some of the surplus Energy Performance Certificate inspectors?

bengasman

Pincher wrote: »

If the government really wants to help, they should set up some travelling inspectors who come to the aid of low-income households.

Why do we have to keep paying for the hundreds of thousands of women who get themselves knocked up before establishing what the chances are that they can afford to have those kids?
It is a fact that the number of single mums of the so called "working class" outnumber the ones that actually have their husband still around.
The welfare bill now stands at £200,000,000,000 per year, keep subsidising them, and it will soon be £300,000,000,000. It's not like the state coffers are overflowing.