New combination boiler

jalexa

cottonhead wrote: »

New resolution - put money aside for emergencies !!

Well partly. But given that a house move or renting out are both options but the timeframe is uncertain I don't go with "patching" as a strategy, and it is really a maintenance strategy you need. Well maybe one more repair attempt while you take stock. There is at least one reasonable mid-market brand offering a 5 year warranty. Then I would advocate the manufacturer's own service plan. And yes, especially if money is tight, that option should not be discounted.

ollski

bengasman wrote: »

The Puma is an extremely easy boiler to work on, IF you know what to look for; if you don't, it's a nightmare.
I've lost count of the amount of Puma owners that called me telling me they needed a new boiler, and they ALL still work.
Your best option is to find a local chap who knows them inside out. If you can do that, with proper care and maintenance you should get another 5 years out of it.

There's no way I would keep one of these horrors after the one I saw which had properly caught fire from the pcb!

cottonhead

Well the quote arrived today - £2,446....... I understand the charge for the boiler and the fee for installing it but there is another charge of £215 for ' customisation and compliance'. It includes delivering the materials, taking the old boiler away and minor building works !! Im pretty sure any 'normal' contractor would bring the materials without charging you and to be honest I dont mind taking the old boiler to the tip myself. As for minor building works - there are none that I can think of ! I questioned it over the phone and the lady said she would get the engineer to call me back to discuss !

jalexa

cottonhead wrote: »

. I understand the charge for the boiler

and which boiler *exactly*?

jackieblack

cottonhead wrote: »

Well the quote arrived today - £2,446

Well at least it's not £4000!
Now you have a figure to compare other quotes to. TBH I'd still go with a local independent if you can get a recommendation. Have you asked colleagues/neighbours if they have anyone they could recommend?

cottonhead

The boiler is a Worcester Green Star 28i high. I do have the number of a local plumber who is a friend of a friend but the problem is I dont have spare cash so the payment plan thing might be the only way to go ( if I am excepted that is ! ).
Was also a bit unhappy that they couldnt give an indication of when the work could be done.

HappyMJ

cottonhead wrote: »

The boiler is a Worcester Green Star 28i high. I do have the number of a local plumber who is a friend of a friend but the problem is I dont have spare cash so the payment plan thing might be the only way to go ( if I am excepted that is ! ).
Was also a bit unhappy that they couldnt give an indication of when the work could be done.

Are they offering the payment plan? What's the interest rate? Can you source the money somewhere else at a cheaper rate?

cottonhead

The interest is 11% I think - payments are £88.76 if we pay over 3 years. I have not called - want to hear the explination about the delivering / taking away parts and the building work thingy.
If we are not accepted will have to go without heating for a while and save up to pay a local plumber.
So annoying ! and cold...... !

bengasman

cottonhead wrote: »

The boiler is a Worcester Green Star 28i ...

One step away from real rubbish, and at £2400 + interest ( did you verify in it including vat? ) a very expensive option that is likely to incur more cost before you have paid it off.
Just done one last month that was about 3 years old and had blown fan and broken valve.

Canucklehead

Hi: the Viessmann Vitodens 100 is a superior porduct...the OH has been fitting them for 4+ years (as well as the 200 series).

But keep in the mind, a boiler is only as good as its installation and annual servicing...lots of bodgers about these days cutting every corner so even a good product will fail if it is poorly installed. More advice here.

HTH

Canucklehead