Boiler quote help

Vici

Hi guys, am looking for a bit advice so hope some of you may be able to help.

We have recently moved in to a small 2 bedroom bungalow. There is currently a very old "IDEAL" boiler, a cold water tank and a hot water tank. We are wanting to have a new combi boiler fitted - 1 for cost of running, and 2, to get rid of the tanks. My partner has just redone the bathroom and all pipework has been installed to run off the mains. All rads have the thermo valve thingys on but we do not currently have a wall mounted thermostat. We do not need anything moving or disconnecting. All we want is a new boiler.

Now the quotes we have been getting seem to be in the region of 2K + VAT. Now forgive me if i am wrong but it seems like a huge amount. For example - 1 quote is 2222.51 (inc a boiler which can be brought for £650!). I was told that the plumber would be in for 1 1/2 days max. Surely it can't be nearly £1600 for 1 1/2 days work?!!!!

Help!!!

Annabee

I wish I was a plumber!

(Sorry, not helpful I know).

Canucklehead

Vici wrote: »

Hi guys, am looking for a bit advice so hope some of you may be able to help.

We have recently moved in to a small 2 bedroom bungalow. There is currently a very old "IDEAL" boiler, a cold water tank and a hot water tank. We are wanting to have a new combi boiler fitted - 1 for cost of running, and 2, to get rid of the tanks. My partner has just redone the bathroom and all pipework has been installed to run off the mains. All rads have the thermo valve thingys on but we do not currently have a wall mounted thermostat. We do not need anything moving or disconnecting. All we want is a new boiler.

Now the quotes we have been getting seem to be in the region of 2K + VAT. Now forgive me if i am wrong but it seems like a huge amount. For example - 1 quote is 2222.51 (inc a boiler which can be brought for £650!). I was told that the plumber would be in for 1 1/2 days max. Surely it can't be nearly £1600 for 1 1/2 days work?!!!!

Help!!!

Good evening: Your quote should include stripping out cold and hot water tanks, upgrading gas supply, if necessary, to meet demands of a combination boiler, a room thermostat/programmer, flush of CH system with Sentinel or Fernox cleanser then addition of inhibitor, and the installation of name brand condensing combination boiler with a good warranty and high flow rate if you prefer showers. The installation should be notified to Building Control (check to see that your installer can self-certify his/her installation and is legit at www.trustcorgi.com ) Further details on the specification and installation of Gas central heating systems can be found here http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/uploads/documents/housingbuildings/ce30.pdf

If your quotes include all of the above then the cost is reasonable IMHO. My OH is a self employed plumbing and heating engineer here in the southeast and I type up all his quotes. He follows best practice as recommended in the EST guide. This installation would take take him (working solo) minimum 3 days...flushing of the system alone would take half a day....however many installers aren't quite as conscientious;) Double check your quotes and compare like for like... and , most importantly,have your CORGIs been recommended to you by a source you trust?

HTH

Canucklehead

EliteHeat

Annabee wrote: »

I wish I was a plumber!

No you don't

Liz1966

I recently had my boiler & water tank removed & a replacement combi boiler fitted.
I got 5 quotes which varied from £2,100 (+VAT) to £4,500 (plus VAT). I ended up paying £3,500 (+VAT) for a boiler that would cost about £1,100. There can be quite a few additional expenses such as flue extension & control panel. Also consider if they have to recess pipes which takes longer - & make sure if they are needed that they are specified in the quote.

Canucklehead

Liz1966 wrote: »

I recently had my boiler & water tank removed & a replacement combi boiler fitted.
I got 5 quotes which varied from £2,100 (+VAT) to £4,500 (plus VAT). I ended up paying £3,500 (+VAT) for a boiler that would cost about £1,100. There can be quite a few additional expenses such as flue extension & control panel. Also consider if they have to recess pipes which takes longer - & make sure if they are needed that they are specified in the quote.

Hello,again...just remembered posting on your first thread last winter http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=390606 ..had wondered if you had found the advice on the thread useful...good to hear you have sorted out your heating situation;)

Canucklehead

tsb

Just a quick question for Canucklehead--We do all you do for a boiler change,with the addition of fitting trv's,finding bricks to match house in order to brick old flue up,re-plastering inside where old boiler's been etc.etc.Also can take 3 to 4 days to do job right.Aren't you sick and tired of people saying "the quote was for £2000,but I've looked on the internet and found the same boiler for £700

Canucklehead

tsb wrote: »

Just a quick question for Canucklehead--We do all you do for a boiler change,with the addition of fitting trv's,finding bricks to match house in order to brick old flue up,re-plastering inside where old boiler's been etc.etc.Also can take 3 to 4 days to do job right.Aren't you sick and tired of people saying "the quote was for £2000,but I've looked on the internet and found the same boiler for £700

Good morning: The OH does get sick of what I call 'nickel and dimeing'...we've now diversified into renovating properties...he is much happier being accountable to himself (and me;) ), can utilize all of his skills developed over the last 30 years and can pick and choose the plumbing/heating jobs he does for clients...if anyone thinks he is too expensive then they are actively encouraged to look elsewhere...life is much better now.

HTH

Canucklehead

Vici

tsb wrote: »

Just a quick question for Canucklehead--We do all you do for a boiler change,with the addition of fitting trv's,finding bricks to match house in order to brick old flue up,re-plastering inside where old boiler's been etc.etc.Also can take 3 to 4 days to do job right.Aren't you sick and tired of people saying "the quote was for £2000,but I've looked on the internet and found the same boiler for £700

If that was aimed at me, then you have completely misunderstood the content of my post!

We were told the job would take 2 days, we have told ALL plumbers that we require no work done to the old tanks, the boiler is going in exactly the same place, we do not require any plastering as the whole wall is being done by my fiance before decorating, flue is in exactly same place, rads already have TRVs, no new gas pipes needed as we have just had a complete new gas service installed. My question was merely with regards to the price of the work where we have been quoted £1600 for 1 1/2 - 2 days labour!!

Vici

Canucklehead

Many thanks for your help, it was most informative. We are currently "shopping around" to try and obtain the best quote from the ones we've been recommended.

Regards Vici

tsb

Sorry Vici,My point wasn't aimed at you,it was just a question to see if other heating engineers(who do the job right) have the same problems with certain customers.In a way I'd side tracked from your question.