Changing pipes from 15mm to 22mm for rad - £2934 by british gas

d2001

Hi all
Just wondering if anyone could advise me as I've been told by british gas that my boiler is broken as I have the wrong pipes to the radiators. I've been told I need to change the pipes from 15mm to 22mm for all the pipe connections from my boiler to the radiators. They have sent me a quote for £2934 as it is not covered by my british gas homecare agreement.
I have a small house and have 7 radiators. the quote is as follows:

powerflush, £719
pipes, 22mm, and 20metres of length, £480
pipes, 15mm, and 2metres of length, £40
drain system, £175
labour (16 hours), £1520

total is £2934,

note, I'm not changing the boiler or radiators as I'm keeping the old ones. Is this price for real? do I really have to change the pipes to 22mm?

They said I would be better off putting in a new boiler, £2700:eek: but then they would leave the pipes as it. sounds like a contraction as well.

please help with advice as I have no hot water and am freezing!:(

warmhands.coldheart

d2001 wrote: »

.....I've been told I need to change the pipes from 15mm to 22mm for all the pipe connections from my boiler to the radiators.

I'm not a plumber.... but sounds like a complete crock of sh.it to me. I've just had my whole house re-plumbed and it'a all 15mm pipe from the boiler to the rads. The only larger pipe on my system is for the gas and for the mains water feed to the boiler and about 1m of pipe between the boiler and the 3 port which splits my upstairs and downstairs feeds.... Even if it's a case that the system is old and the pipes are clogged with gunk, the power flush should clear most of that out. Sounds like they are taking you for a ride. Get another couple of plumbers in to have a look at it and get a few more quotes.

warmhands.coldheart

d2001 wrote: »

powerflush, £719
pipes, 22mm, and 20metres of length, £480
pipes, 15mm, and 2metres of length, £40
drain system, £175
labour (16 hours), £1520

total is £2934,

FYI even going on B&Q Prices (which would be nearly twice probably what a plumber would p[ay at a wholesalers)

And this is assuming they are using Copper, if using plastic pipe it'll be cheaper again..
pipes, 22mm, and 20metres of length, £480
B&Q Price (10 pack of 2m = 20m) £111.98
pipes, 15mm, and 2metres of length, £40
B&Q Price £7.98


Labour @ £95/hr.????????? They're having a laugh !!

pmartin86

Cant comment on the need for new pipes etc, but I've just had my whole house done (New boiler, new pipework throughout, new bathroom fitted and new kitchen sink fitted) for £2800 - This included reusing my radiators and having them all flushed.

Johnandabby

Sounds like they just want to sell you a new boiler, and what a surprise the alternative is slightly more! At that price it would also be cheaper to buy completely new radiators and not do the powerflush, but they don't want to sell you that!

One key rule in life - never trust anything that British Gas says

22mm only needed where a larger flow rate (and therefore more heat) is required. We have 14 radiators, and all in 15mm copper, never had a problem. If the argument is that the pipework can't take a sufficient flow rate, then a new boiler isn't going to solve that unless your existing boiler doesn't get hot enough - even then bloody stupid idea to change the pipes rather than the boiler.

Unfortunately you've wasted money with the Homecare agreement already. Don't throw good money after bad, get another plumber in.

skivenov

warmhands.coldheart wrote: »

I'm not a plumber.... but sounds like a complete crock of sh.it to me.

Same here. I live in a small-ish house with 7 radiators and a British Gas boiler. All my internal heating pipes are 15mm. As are all the inlets and outlets on my radiators.

27col

They are talking a load of rubbish. I have a fairly large house that I built myself and its 15 radiators heat it quite adequately using 10mm micro bore pipe. The only place where 22mm pipe is used is to feed the distribution manifold. Everything else is in 10mm.

WestonDave

That quote is clearly on the con! They're charging you for 16 hours labour, so what is the £175 to drain the system for? Last I checked opening a tap/drain valve and letting the water out didn't involve any materials or parts! Similarly for the powerflush - I appreciate that uses some chemicals but £700 worth - what are they proposing to flush it with - single malt whisky?

Looks very much like they've started with the price of a new boiler and worked backwards with the repairs to get a figure which makes that look attractive.

Tell them to pick up their mask on their way back to Black Bess, and find a local reputable RGI to do the work properly. I'd also cancel that Homecon policy as well if that's the rubbish they come up with!

d2001

hi folks,

thanks for your advice and support. they just popped in again and i'm now certain they are having a laugh.... been told that they advise getting a new boiler, power flush, new pipes blah blah, and they take days to get me a quote. I know they are expensive but asking 5 times the price for pipes is not right. I've asked a company called help-link but I'm hoping to use a local firm who seem reasonable and fair. just waiting for their quote..... so I can get started. never will I use BG after this winter.... will cancel their homecare and will never use them as a supplier ..... even if it costs more money.
ps love your quote, "i can afford everything, as long as I dont want much".... but i'm married to a women who wants the world so am broken :rotfl:

A1P

d2001 wrote: »

Hi all
Just wondering if anyone could advise me as I've been told by british gas that my boiler is broken as I have the wrong pipes to the radiators. I've been told I need to change the pipes from 15mm to 22mm for all the pipe connections from my boiler to the radiators. They have sent me a quote for £2934 as it is not covered by my british gas homecare agreement.
I have a small house and have 7 radiators. the quote is as follows:

powerflush, £719
pipes, 22mm, and 20metres of length, £480
pipes, 15mm, and 2metres of length, £40
drain system, £175
labour (16 hours), £1520

total is £2934,

note, I'm not changing the boiler or radiators as I'm keeping the old ones. Is this price for real? do I really have to change the pipes to 22mm?

They said I would be better off putting in a new boiler, £2700:eek: but then they would leave the pipes as it. sounds like a contraction as well.

please help with advice as I have no hot water and am freezing!:(

I have read the replies and as an independent plumbing and heating engineer I am heartened by the unanimous criticism of British Gas.Try and get some recommendations for local tradesmen.Hopefully they will value the opportunity of a new customer and quote fairly and competitively.You may also save on VAT.I wasn't clear whether your boiler had indeed 'had it'.That is the first thing to confirm.If not working well,how much to fix it.If this is expensive move on to boiler quotes.There are a lot of decent boilers with 5/7 year warranties if serviced annually.Powerflush inc.chemicals and done correctly,£250/£350.You will also need a filter to maintain a clean system,approx £150 fitted.I share the comments re-BG Homecare-they want to maintain systems which are unlikely to require maintenance!!They are full of small print,have an excess of £50.They are often a means of collecting cash,selling ridiculously priced power flush and eventually a boiler at a high price and less guarantee ,often 1/2 years.Allegedly!!! GRRRRRR!!!!! or as Jim Royle would say ,Looking after your world,my ar.e!!!. By the way ,Help Link a bit over hyped.

diywhynot

22 mm copper pipe is commonly used in wet central heating systems.

Call an independent in for a second/third opinion before you fork out any cash.