New Boiler needed - would you use British Gas

suestew

Our boiler has given up and I know that British Gas are expensive but wondering if anyone has used them, feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

miduck

No, get recommendations from friends and use a local independent - far better, both in terms of value and service.

Joyful

I would always get 3 quotes from companies and check out any feedback. I would also make sure they were members of an Insurance scheme for their profession. If BG came up best out of these checks I would be happy to use them.

macman

BG will charge around 40% more than a local independent GSR RGI.
If BG have told you that your existing boiler cannot be fixed ('obsolete, parts not available'), then seek a second opinion.
What's wrong with it?

suestew

the expansion vessel has gone, we have been told this was the problem before BG came round. it costs around 1k for a new one plus labour, plus we have to flush out the pipes as they are blocked. So might as well get a new boiler especially as ours is pretty old now :-(
I have phoned an independant guy who has done an approx quote over phone and says his will come with 7 yr guarantee

[Deleted User]

BBC Watchdog prog this year showed BG saying part not available and quoted a, I think it was 6k, for a new boiler and fitting. The part was easily found online for £90. Can you not do your own search for this part yourself and contract someone to fit it.

macman

£1000 for a expansion vessel! Are you serious? Even BG wouldn't charge that much. Maybe £80 for the part and £100 labour? What's the make and model?
BG are notorious for recommending their overpriced powerflushes.
Get a quote for the EV from an independent. A failed EV is hardly terminal, and a new boiler will require you to flush anyway.

suestew

I think that the labour costs on fitting a new expansion vessel are really high, plus our boiler is old, if we pay out loads to get a new vessel chances are something else could go wrong. It was not just BG that told us it was expensive to change the part, so did an independent. If the boiler wasn't that old I would be inclined to just get a new part but its between 13-15 years old

suestew

macman wrote: »

£1000 for a expansion vessel! Are you serious? Even BG wouldn't charge that much. Maybe £80 for the part and £100 labour? What's the make and model?
BG are notorious for recommending their overpriced powerflushes.
Get a quote for the EV from an independent. A failed EV is hardly terminal, and a new boiler will require you to flush anyway.

The quote of £1000 was from BG, other people that looked at it said it would cost as much as a new boiler. It's so hard to know what to do when you know nothing about it, suppose that is what they all prey on..

Make is a Linear 24

macman

BG's price will include maybe £600 for a powerflush. Make and model?

ollski

Sometimes depending on the type of property, position and condition of the boiler it may take a whole day to remove the boiler, replace the expansion vessel and reinstall it. Normally if that were the case an external expansion vessel would be fitted...was that discussed and do you have the room for it?
Unfortunately asking for advice like you are on a forum tends to end up with much of the stale, outdated responses you got here. You have done right by getting several quotes for advice, now you need to get several quotes for your installation including bg. When you have prices and a feeling for the people you are dealing with you should be in a better position to make an informed decision.