Boiler replacement - ludicrous quote! Alternatives?

mfmaybe

I own a small 1-bed flat that I rent out. The c15 year old combi gas boiler has just given out. It is the Ignition PCB and apparently the part isn't made any more so it's obsolete, and I need to replace the whole boiler. I've had the first quote, and it made my eyes bleed - £3400 plus vat, so around £4100.

Facts are:

Top (2nd floor) flat. Meter is on the ground floor. Existing boiler is combi so should be a fairly simple replacement with like for like. The flat has an electric shower so other than washing dishes and the bathroom tap, has hardly any DHW requirements. There are 4, maybe 5, radiators.

If I exclude the retail price of the boiler (£700), the itemised cost of scaffolding and a slater, I'm left with £2,200 in "unexplained" costs which would include fitting (in exactly the same place) and any other parts required. Seems like a heck of a lot to me. Bearing in mind that we had an LPG boiler fitted recently for around £1500 less than this quote!

So I assume they don't want the work and have given a ridiculous quote, albeit I've asked them a few questions to delve a bit deeper. But if other quotes are not that far off the mark there is no way I can justify replacing the boiler.

What are my alternatives to a Gas boiler? As above, would need to provide limited hot water, and heat a fairly small flat.

penrhyn

Why don't you get a number of quotes, including British Gas as a benchmark.

mfmaybe

Yes I said in my OP I'd get alternate quotes. But as the property is a rental, with tenants in it, I can't really delay and want to investigate other options at the same time.

ollski

instant heat hot water taps and electric panel radiators?

gardner1

you say "apparently the part isn't made any more so it's obsolete" who told you that.. just because its15 yrs old doesn't mean you cant get replacement

molerat

My boiler is 30 years old and I can still get the majority of parts for it, my next door neighbour could not get the parts for hers though. Same boiler, same part, different fitter ! (Guess which of us does / does not use BG )

mfmaybe

gardner1 wrote: »

you say "apparently the part isn't made any more so it's obsolete" who told you that.. just because its15 yrs old doesn't mean you cant get replacement

The company that have been doing the service said they tried 3 suppliers and all said the same thing, and that they had checked with the manufacturer. They also wouldn't entertain a second hand part and as the property is rented I guess I need to ensure I don't take any risks!

mfmaybe

molerat wrote: »

My boiler is 30 years old and I can still get the majority of parts for it, my next door neighbour could not get the parts for hers though. Same boiler, same part, different fitter ! (Guess which of us does / does not use BG )

It's not BG I'm using, it is an independent.

Alt

Have you tried to google for the part yourself?

mfmaybe

No, because I don't know what part it is exactly, I've not received anything in writing. I can't even remember what make the boiler is and I'm a 3 hour drive away!

I do have a couple of other companies going in to do quotes so I could ask them to investigate that possibility. However the boiler has been faulty a few times recently so (as it's a property I earn money from) it may just be time to spend the money. Just not £4k

mfmaybe

ollski wrote: »

instant heat hot water taps and electric panel radiators?

You mean the little contained units that you see in service stations and the like?

The problem is I already have wet radiators so I'd end up having to rip all that out (not even wall space otherwise). That may still end up being a possibility though.

Are electric boilers worth investigating?