Boiler Fitting - DIY ?

JuicyJossy

Hi I was wondering if someone can help me please.

My partner and I are first time buyers and we have just put an offer in on a house. According to my boyfriend (who isn't a plumber or anything but has helped his dad (who isn't a plumber either) fit boilers before) said it looks like it needs a new boiler. I know nothing about boilers.

But the thing is he wants to buy the boiler and fit it himself (with his dad's help). I am really apprehensive for three reasons:

1. Safety - there is a reason only gas safe registered people should fit boilers and neither him or his dad are gas safe registered. I know I can get a CO detector but I still wouldn't feel safe.

2. Insurance - I know that if anything was to happen (e.g. the boiler exploded and damaged something or leaked of whatever) it wouldn't be covered in the insurance because it's not been fitted by a registered plumber.

3. Repairs - it is possible that my partner will have to work away every now and then and if it breaks, as it hasn't been fitted by a registered person, would I still be able to call out a plumber to fix it ? Or would I be left cold until he gets a chance to fix it.

Not only that but I have now been with my boyfriend for 6 years and the boiler they fitted in his parents home has broken at least once a year since I've known him and that makes me very apprehensive.

He says it will be cheaper which I'm sure it true as we won't pay for labour but is it really worth it ?

Anyone help me out with this issue ? Should I let him fit it or stand my ground and demand that a proper gas safe registered plumber fits it ?

Thanks for any help !

PollySouthend

Are you even serious?!

JuicyJossy

About what ? Them wanting to fit it. I wish I wasn't serious ! They think they can do it because they've fitted some before like the one in his parents house which like I said keeps breaking !

ollski

He doesn't have to be registered to fit it in his own house and as long as he doesn't pay his dad or reward him in any way it is ok for him to help. They must be competent to work on gas though. The criteria to this is very grey but you can guarantee if any problems were found they would subsequently be deemed incompetent. Manufacturer warranty would be void as the benchmark cant be completed and you would need to pay a couple of hundred pounds for building control to come out afterwards to inspect and allow it to be registered.

JuicyJossy

Would I still be able to get it repaired by a plumber or would they have to repair it if it went wrong ?

macman

JuicyJossy wrote: »

Would I still be able to get it repaired by a plumber or would they have to repair it if it went wrong ?

No, you'd have to get it repaired by an GSR RGI (plumbers are not competent to work on gas devices unless they are GSR).
Any GSR person can repair it, they would have no idea who installed it. But if they found it unsafe for whatever reason due to install faults, they would have to disconnect it there and then.
This is a really stupid idea, so don't even think about it.
As as pointed out already, your shiny new boiler would have no warranty whatsoever, as opposed to the 5 years or so you'd get with a legal install.
At this point you don't even know if a new boiler is required.

ollski

If you didn't tell them they would possibly never know. Personally I would say get it done properly as you are obviously apprehensive and a little doubtful. Pay a few extra quid and then you won't have to worry every time you use it for the next 15 years or so.

matelodave

Installing & plumbing a boiler isn't rocket science. There's nothing wrong with installing it yourself and having the final gas connection & commissioning done by a GSR engineer.

You might void the warranty if you don't fully comply with it's terms & conditions.

Andy_WSM

ollski wrote: »

every time you use it for the next 15 years or so.

15 years with a modern condensing boiler? You should be so lucky!

matelodave

My condensing combi was installed in my previous house 16 years ago and is still going strong (according to the bloke who bought it)

MillicentBystander

matelodave wrote: »

Installing & plumbing a boiler isn't rocket science. There's nothing wrong with installing it yourself and having the final gas connection & commissioning done by a GSR engineer.

You might void the warranty if you don't fully comply with it's terms & conditions.

My neighbour, who granted is a pipe fitter by trade (but not a plumber), did exactly this.