Go with British Gas or local company - complete new heating system.

Posiekins

We are in the process of getting a complete new heating system on our 3-bed Edwardian mid-terrace.
The current back boiler was installed in 1984, and is now so old that British Gas are no longer able to service it. The last time they did, they condemned it. It's still safe, but failing regularly.
We bought the house as a fixer-upper and it has old micro bore plumbing, three of the nine radiators no longer work, and three more have been replaced already.
We have got three quotes for a new boiler, complete replumb with surface mounted pipe work (our choice, we have had too many leaks to choose the concealed option!), new radiators, valves, flues and installation.

Of these three, which sounds the best deal? I am leaning one way but would like advice from people with experience to see if they agree.

Quote 1: British Gas £6,700 all in (not including £400 current discount and possible extra discount as my brother is a BG meter engineer).
Pros: Recognised name, very detailed quote, fixed quote, 1 year's Homestart
Cons: highest price

Quote 2: Large local independent company £5,500 all in
Pros: Obviously cheaper,
Cons: Quote less detailed, not fixed, less thorough inspection of property

Quote 3: local plumber, £4,700
Pros: comes highly recommended by friends, gave us choices on everything
Cons: quote "subject to change" if job proves bigger than first thought, which in this house is very possible.

As an aside, as part of the ongoing improvements, we plan to knock down an existing wall to extend the kitchen.
All 3 were told this, only BG man has factored it in by relocating the boiler to avoid having to move it later.
Both the others have put it on the less accessible wall (which involves much less plumbing but is here only for the short term) and said we can always move it later for a "few hundred quid".

So the BG quote seems the most sensible but obviously, there's a £2,000 difference.

What would others do in my position? We could run to the BG quote if needed but obviously would rather not if we could save the cash.

Any experience of BG, good or bad, that might help sway the decision?

TIA

Posiekins

Also, should mention that the local guy can't fit us in till May, whereas the other 2 could be done and dusted with a month.

Robwiz

BG have a reputation for setting the top of the range prices. But they also deliver, stand by their work and provide support. I have been impressed with their installation of an electric car charging point and Hive heating controls (which they have probably included in your quote and is worth having). They were very safety aware and thorough, taking time to ensure their work was compliant with Building Regs.

Moving a boiler will almost certainly cost more than 'a few hundred quid'. It requires the system to be drained down, new water, gas and electrical supplies, the flue and condensate pipe, pressure testing, commissioning, etc.

My experience of having central heating retrofitted is not good. Problems have emerged some time later due to the installer taking short cuts that saved him time. They designed the system as they went along and changed pipe routings as they encountered obstacles.

With hindsight, I would have paid more for a well thought through and implemented system so with the benefit of experience I'd say go with BG.