New Boiler Needed

fcmisc

I need to replace my boiler as it is apparently un-serviceable.

This sort of thing is new to me, I have never had anything new installed in my home.

What sort of companies do I need to get quotes from? So far I have British Gas coming round, but I guess they'll give me a high quote. However, I know nothing about other companies or the quality of work that they provide.

I have read about some grants on the internet, but I am self-employed and doubt I'll qualify for anything.

jonnyb1978

Local companies who are gas safe registered. Have a look on their website.

AVOID BG!!

LEJC

get 3 quotes and go from there...

When we had our boiler replaced,surprisingly BG came out the cheapest and best for us at the time...although when we needed a full new system in another property it was the local independant heating engineer that was able to supply the best quote and service.

Typically try a quote from someone who is perhaps a small business they are generally very competative,try a mid size firm and possiibly BG thats what we have always done and you can go from there with who you feel happiest to complete the work to how you want it.

jonnyb1978

British gas are just a private firm like anyone else. They are not special or better trained, far from it. They train people up in next to no time. They will condemn your boiler if they dont supply the parts anymore yet your local diy plumber merchant might have thousands of the parts. They just like your money. They will not do a better job than your local one man band.
They just live off the name British Gas from before privatisation yet the gullible public think they are better and hold some sort of authority.....AVOID and also take the advice that the cheapest is by no means the best quote either.

fcmisc

How would you recommend searching for local companies? I live in Wandsworth, London. There are loads of local gas companies on Google, but I don't know anything about telling them apart from each other.

jonnyb1978 wrote: »

Local companies who are gas safe registered. Have a look on their website.

AVOID BG!!

Myser

If you can't get recommendations then try the Gas Safe Register:

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

jonnyb1978

fcmisc wrote: »

How would you recommend searching for local companies? I live in Wandsworth, London. There are loads of local gas companies on Google, but I don't know anything about telling them apart from each other.

As Myser says above. Ring a couple up and ask for a quote. They will come round and give you a quote. Get a few and decide which one takes your fancy. You either take to someone or you dont. If you dont get some more quotes. Dont be rushed into things.

notbritishgas

fcmisc wrote: »

How would you recommend searching for local companies? I live in Wandsworth, London. There are loads of local gas companies on Google, but I don't know anything about telling them apart from each other.

Most of the good boiler manufacturers eg Vaillant, Gloworm, worcester Bosch Have their own approved installers for your postcode, all GSR of course. Search on their websites.

An advantage of using one of the approved installers is that can mean the warranty is extended to 5 years or even 7 years.

fcmisc

Myser wrote: »

If you can't get recommendations then try the Gas Safe Register:

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

I've had a look around the register listed above. It appears that there are lots of gas engineers in my area!

However, if I have an emergency, how would I quickly choose one? I looked at rated people for reviews, but that requires you to post jobs and wait for responses. Is there a website that just rates engineers?

Biggles

If you don't have a gas engineer, how do you know you need to replace your boiler? Was it a BG engineer during a service contract visit?

If so, ignore. Start from scratch and just ask an engineer to service your boiler (or to repair it if it has a problem). If he tells you it needs replacing, then maybe it does.

jonnyb1978

I wouldnt use the review sites. They are not worth the paper (or computer screen) they are written on.

Try and get recommendations from family or friends.
Failing that you have to just pick one. Ring them up and explain your situation. If he is interested in the job he will come out for a quote. Get 3 or 4 and you get a feel for a good trustworthy one. They will advise you, help you, tell you what you dont need to save you money and put the quote in writing with a full breakdown in comparison to a misery guts who does not quote properly, does not tell you what needs doing etc etc.
A bit basic but you should get my point.