need to replace the boiler, windows and gas fire in house, but bad credit

adriannauk

Hi ya


I was looking to replacing the windows (old wooden frames), the boiler (pretty old now, over 15 years at the least) and eventually the gas fire - hasn't been serviced in over 10 years....oops. probably better to get a new one?


Of course I need to do this bit by bit in order to afford it all, and was just curious how people funded it with bad credit history? me and my husband work full time and not entitled to any benefits


I found a company called "Eco care global solutions" for the boiler that apparently don't credit check you for the boiler....looks all good and "shiny" when you check out their website, but I am wary at the same time.

Can anyone recommend double glazing companies that are good with people with a bad credit history in the past?


I don't know what to do with the Gas fire, it works fine not a problem, but I worry we haven't had it serviced for so long....do gas fires have a life span, is it easier just to replace?


Thank you so much in advance x

scottishblondie

Old doesn't necessarily mean "needs replaced". The boiler in my parent's house is 28 years old and still perfectly functional. It may not be the most efficient, but the cost of replacement outweighs any savings in the running costs. If it is good working condition, I would leave it alone. The same goes for the gas fire.

I would recommend that you invest in a couple of carbon monoxide detectors to install next to the boiler and the fire though - not because they're old just because I think it's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to gas appliances! A service by a gas safe engineer is also not going to break the bank to ensure that everything keeps functioning as it should.

casper_g

The cheapest way to borrow money is not to spend it in the first place, so:

Windows:

As above, "old" doesn't mean "life-expired". Timber window frames will last pretty much indefinitely if well looked after. Our house and the other 5 built at the same time all have at least some of the original 90-year-old windows, and they're still going strong.

Repaint the windows yourself if you are confident you can do a good job of the preparation (this is most of the work) and painting. Don't skimp on the quality of the paint. If you're not confident you can do this well, save up and pay a reputable painter and decorator to do the job. This is an investment as the cost will be tiny compared to the cost of decent replacement windows.

Gas fire:

There's no need to replace a gas fire just because it's old, either. Definitely get it checked by a Gas Safe registered competent person to ensure it remains safe, but most gas fires are pretty simple pieces of kit and the technology hasn't changed much in many years. In the unlikely event that the fire is unsafe you still don't have to replace it - you can just not use it! Worst case scenario, get the technician to disconnect it so it can't be used. An old gas fire is unlikely to be a cost-effective way of heating the house anyway.

Boiler:

Focus your effort on this, as the running costs of a modern efficient boiler will be significantly lower, but don't buy something on an expensive finance deal which will eat up the savings. Better to keep the existing boiler running for a couple more years if you can while you save up (or build your credit rating so cheaper finance options are available) .

You're certainly right to be wary of shiny flashy companies offering credit arrangements as they are highly likely to be overpriced and work out very expensive in the long term. Look for well-reviewed independent Gas Safe registered local small businesses. Get several quotes, and when they come round to quote ask their advice on the best value boilers to use if money is tight. Independents will be cheaper than the big companies who have salesmen to keep in shiny suits. The downside is they won't offer credit.

If you do borrow money then shop around for the finance, don't just look at the deals offered by the people selling you the boiler. Secured finance is generally cheaper than unsecured loans but needs discipline, because "your home is at risk if you do not keep up the repayments on a mortage or other loan secured on it" as they say.

adriannauk

casper_g wrote: »

The cheapest way to borrow money is not to spend it in the first place, so:

Windows:

As above, "old" doesn't mean "life-expired". Timber window frames will last pretty much indefinitely if well looked after. Our house and the other 5 built at the same time all have at least some of the original 90-year-old windows, and they're still going strong.

Repaint the windows yourself if you are confident you can do a good job of the preparation (this is most of the work) and painting. Don't skimp on the quality of the paint. If you're not confident you can do this well, save up and pay a reputable painter and decorator to do the job. This is an investment as the cost will be tiny compared to the cost of decent replacement windows.




Gas fire:

There's no need to replace a gas fire just because it's old, either. Definitely get it checked by a Gas Safe registered competent person to ensure it remains safe, but most gas fires are pretty simple pieces of kit and the technology hasn't changed much in many years. In the unlikely event that the fire is unsafe you still don't have to replace it - you can just not use it! Worst case scenario, get the technician to disconnect it so it can't be used. An old gas fire is unlikely to be a cost-effective way of heating the house anyway.

Boiler:

Focus your effort on this, as the running costs of a modern efficient boiler will be significantly lower, but don't buy something on an expensive finance deal which will eat up the savings. Better to keep the existing boiler running for a couple more years if you can while you save up (or build your credit rating so cheaper finance options are available) .

You're certainly right to be wary of shiny flashy companies offering credit arrangements as they are highly likely to be overpriced and work out very expensive in the long term. Look for well-reviewed independent Gas Safe registered local small businesses. Get several quotes, and when they come round to quote ask their advice on the best value boilers to use if money is tight. Independents will be cheaper than the big companies who have salesmen to keep in shiny suits. The downside is they won't offer credit.

If you do borrow money then shop around for the finance, don't just look at the deals offered by the people selling you the boiler. Secured finance is generally cheaper than unsecured loans but needs discipline, because "your home is at risk if you do not keep up the repayments on a mortage or other loan secured on it" as they say.

Hi thank you for your reply. A couple of our wooden window frames are quite rotten, we are scared to open our bathroom window too far in case the glass falls out.. can you still can replacement wooden frames I wonder...thank you for the inspiration.


I will look in to getting the fire serviced. will be a lot cheaper then getting a new one!


I will shop around for the boiler, its a combi boiler and there is no way we could pay for it up front. but thank you, will shop around local.

no1catman

As you both work full time, can't you pay for it out of your savings!?
That's what savings are for (apart from retirement), having the funds available for life's disasters, and every decade household improvements.

Ectophile

I would get the gas fire and boiler safety checked, and preferably serviced as well. If they are not condemned as unsafe, keep using them and stash away all the money that you would have spent on new ones.

In the long term, you're better off saving money and spending it later, rather than buying something now on credit and paying interest on the credit for years to come.

Gloomendoom

adriannauk wrote: »

I will shop around for the boiler, its a combi boiler and there is no way we could pay for it up front. but thank you, will shop around local.

I wouldn't bother. As the old adage goes; if it isn't broke, don't fix it.

You can buy a lot of gas for what it costs to install a new boiler.

Dan-Dan

The only relevant advice that matters right now , today , is to get the gas fire looked at by a gas safe engineer , all the other points have been answered already

poppasmurf_bewdley

To be on the safe side, why not get one of these which is on half price offer at the moment.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7001617.htm

pollypenny

Re your windows, why not replace them one or two at a time if you can find a local tradesman to do that.

It'll save you having to have a big outlay.

We've just replaced one window.

adriannauk

no1catman wrote: »

As you both work full time, can't you pay for it out of your savings!?
That's what savings are for (apart from retirement), having the funds available for life's disasters, and every decade household improvements.

No sadly we don't have savings, what ever we bring in is eaten by outgoings. Plus I read on here its best to pay of your debt before having savings, but I do want to have a backup fund for when things go wrong in the house. eventually!