Boiler replacement - ludicrous quote! Alternatives?

pooch

mfmaybe wrote: »

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.

What is the exact make and model of the 15 yr old boiler?

pooch

mfmaybe wrote: »

The company that have been doing the service said they tried 3 suppliers ...

mfmaybe wrote: »

No, because I don't know what part it is exactly,...

So the company will. Why not ask them, together with details of which 3 suppliers they claim to have tried?

pooch

mfmaybe wrote: »

...I can't even remember what make the boiler is and I'm a 3 hour drive away!...

It should be on the CP12, a copy of which you should have on record

If all else fails, contact the letting agent or tenant and get the details of the boiler. Let us know when you have it.

lstar337

mfmaybe wrote: »

Are electric boilers worth investigating?

Only if you want your tenants to hate you and promptly move out!

Switching to electric with either an electric boiler or panel heaters will increase their energy bill by at least 3x. My guess is they would be unhappy with the increase in costs!

ollski

It may be worth a quick check to see if your tenants qualify for the affordable warmth scheme if they are receipt of things like working and / or child tax credits.

Gratis

If, as you state, this is a premises you are renting out commercially for profit, do you not have a good enough accountant to ensure that replacing the boiler would be a tax-deductible expense?

pooch

pooch wrote: »

What is the exact make and model of the 15 yr old boiler?

pooch wrote: »

So the company will. Why not ask them, together with details of which 3 suppliers they claim to have tried?

pooch wrote: »

It should be on the CP12, a copy of which you should have on record

If all else fails, contact the letting agent or tenant and get the details of the boiler. Let us know when you have it.

How did you get on with answers to the above questions?

I see you have been back this morning, but never bothered to post ... :cool:

Hoof_Hearted

These sort of things are what happens when you are a landlord. Just get it done to keep your tenants happy and make a little less profit this year.