Help: New Combi Boiler Prices - Manchester??

Joey82

Hello,

I'm new to this but wondering if anyone could give me some advice please re 'reasonable' costs I should expect to have a replacement boiler.

I've a 25 Yr old+ conventional boiler (Maxol Homewarm 600) that has just died. I knew it was old when I bought my property so knew this day would come I suppose! British Gas have checked and the parts are obsolete - He showed me on his computer. I'm now looking at upgrading my system to a Combi rather than replace with another conventional.

I've British Gas coming on Tuesday to run through prices with me ( I am aware they inflate) & an Independant local firm Monday. I had another Independant guy come last night and I'm just waiting on prices/breakdown of costs.

I've an old style water tank in my loft that will need removing and the boiler replacing with a new Combi. The Guy last night said he'd recommend Valliant 24KW as I've a Mid Terrace and 5 radiators in total ( I had been advised Valliant or Worcester already by friends). Work should be approx 2 days

He mentioned needing to find the 'pump' - poss under floorboards in my converted loft as the system/pipes will need changing over, a chemical flush to get it all working and changing of some pipes from 15mm to 22mm. No new radiators etc needed.

I'm currently waiting on a quote so will post anything I get but wondered if anyone had any recent experiences in Manchester of what I should be expecting from either the Independant or British gas for this type of work.

Thanks Xx

royroy1

Depends what boiler you opt for but I replaced mine myself last year for just over £700, bought the boiler for £670 which the guy in my local store recommended and around £60 on some pipes, fittings, blow torch, system cleaner etc. Beforehand I had some wildly varying quotes (rip-off British Gas wanted over 3 grand, the lowest quote was £1100) but I just looked at a how to do it video on youtube, thought it looked easy enough and decided to do it myself and save a few hundred quid, and it wasn't too difficult, I just turned the gas off, disconnected and removed the old boiler, connected the new one up, I had to alter the pipes slightly as the positions weren't identical to the old one and I had to drill a hole through the wall for the condensate pipe, then just use a match to test that there's no leaks around the soldered pipe fittings, flush the system, took me a day.

I'd say if you're getting someone to do it for you, then consider the cost of the boiler and parts and add a days labour (2 days tops). Might be best to buy the boiler and parts and advertise on somewhere like Gumtree for someone to fit it for you offering what you're willing to pay for the job.

macman

BG are notorious for saying parts are unobtainable when they're readily available-so first check online or with an independent RGI who knows your boiler. They'l typical quote you c. 40% over the odds for a new install.
What's actually wrong with it?
Is your property even suitable for a combi in terms of flow rate and pressure? Only a site survey by your RGI can determine this.