Replacing boiler - cost a fortune!

alison1989

Today my mum received a quote £1,740 to replace our boiler (8 years old) this includes supplying and fitting a new Worcester 1512i boiler replace the old boiler, flush system with cleaner refill and adding a inhibitor + VAT + labour.
I believe we have a gas combi boiler, which desperately needs replacing! The plumber said something about inside is leaking?

I know nothing about plumbing, but I don't want to see my mum getting ripped off but if it is a reasonable price, then I won't research into looking for a cheaper plumber around the area.

alleycat`

There isn't a 1512i in the WB range?
There is a 15Ri & and 12Ri (Regular Boilers), there is also a 15i and 12i (System Boilers).

Neither of these are Combi boilers.

What is leaking and what model boiler is it and can it not be economically repaired?

As to the other part:-

I'd recommend getting at least two more quotes, clear up what it is you've been quoted for and also what other sundries are involved.

Does it include a magnetic Filter? Does it extend the warranty out to 5, 6 or 7 years (i.e. are they Worcester accredited).

closed

8 years old - tell the "plumber" to fix the leak (after checking the register), if it really exists

http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/

what's the problem?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSMx8GoD01Q

alison1989

Oh sorry, I meant 15Ri (read it wrong).

He said something about it leaking onto electrical thing? maybe something to do with a circuit board?

It's a Worcester 9/14CBI.

He did suggest another solution, which would be to supply and fit a new heat exchanger, which will be £900.

I don't know the answers to the other two.

alleycat` wrote: »

There isn't a 1512i in the WB range?
There is a 15Ri & and 12Ri (Regular Boilers), there is also a 15i and 12i (System Boilers).

Neither of these are Combi boilers.

What is leaking and what model boiler is it and can it not be economically repaired?

As to the other part:-

I'd recommend getting at least two more quotes, clear up what it is you've been quoted for and also what other sundries are involved.

Does it include a magnetic Filter? Does it extend the warranty out to 5, 6 or 7 years (i.e. are they Worcester accredited).

closed

http://www.hssspares.co.uk/BoilerParts.aspx?manu=WORCESTER&app=9%2F14+CBI+RSF+LPG&searchtype=4&PageNum=1&PageSize=20

can you see a leak, where is it coming from, has it only started since the cold weather?

HappyMJ

alison1989 wrote: »

Oh sorry, I meant 15Ri (read it wrong).

He said something about it leaking onto electrical thing? maybe something to do with a circuit board?

It's a Worcester 9/14CBI.

He did suggest another solution, which would be to supply and fit a new heat exchanger, which will be £900.

I don't know the answers to the other two.

You should have a 10 year warranty on the heat exchanger speak to Worcester-Bosch.

gas4you

The seals/'o' rings that are on these particular heat exchanger are very well known to fail and leak.

I've had loads do it round this way. All at around 3-4 years old. New seals don't seem to last that long either.

These old heat exchangers don't have the new long guarantee on them.

macman

And does a set of seals cost £900 to change?
Time to get in a new GSR RGI (not a 'plumber').

ilikecookies

Replacing the boiler if it's only 8 years old seems like the nuclear option to me. You'd hope to get more like 10-15 years out of a Worcester though that's not to say that it could indeed be beyond economical repair. The only way to know is to get some more quotes.

But I'm always suspicious when changing the boiler is a plumbers first recommendation especially if this is "justified" by an inflated repair cost which £900 for new seals certainly is!

So basically I agree with the folks suggesting more quotes - I'd get at least another 3 (maybe even 5). I know it's time-consuming but it will prove cost-saving. When I had a new boiler installed the difference between the top and lowest cost was almost £800! I also like to get a few guys to quote because in addition to price I judge who I think is the most knowledgeable, who is spinning the least BS and also who is the most amiable to deal with.

As a tip I'd suggest not telling the other plumbers what the first plumber has said: I always do this as I like folks to come to their own conclusions.

alison1989

[FONT=&quot] I got another quote from a different company, which is a little bit cheaper, but he has suggested to install a different Worcester boiler. Maybe that could be the reason for it to be cheaper? First quote wants to install Worcester 15RI.
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] BOILER REPLACEMENT[/FONT]

• [FONT=&quot]REMOVAL OF EXSISTING BOILER.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF WORCESTER BOSCH GREENSTAR FULLY MODULATING 13RI CONVENTIONAL BOILER INCLUDING CONCENTRIC FLUE AND CONDENSATE PIPEWORK.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]RECONFIGURATION OF SYSTEM PIPEWORK TO SUIT NEW BOILER[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]REMOVAL OF ALL WASTE FROM SITE.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]COMMISSIONING, REGISTRATION AND NOTIFICATION OF THE INSTALLATION AS PER PART L BUILDING REGULATIONS. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]All installations offer a Worcester Bosch SEVEN year warranty covering both parts & labour[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]TOTAL £ 1590[/FONT]

closed

terms and conditions apply

http://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/homeowner/boilers/find-an-installer

http://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/homeowner/customer-service/register-your-guarantee/guarantee-terms-and-conditions

The question is does it need replacing?