Is £2,300 too much for replacing a hot water cylinder?

AirBerry

Hello everyone!

I might have to replace my 22 year old hot water cylinder. Occasionally, the overflow pipe is dripping water into the bath tub.

In June 2016, a British Gas engineer gave me a quote of £2,400. This included 16 hours of labour, the new cylinder and for Powerflushing the radiators. I came to this forum to ask for advice. Most contributors were really helpful. I decided not to fall for the British Gas quote. Thirteen months passed by without any problem.

Then, last week, I had the annual service check as part of the Home Care Agreement. And I showed the engineer the overflow pipe. I told him it drips occasionally, He said I need to replace the cylinder. He sent a written quote for £2,300. This time, it does NOT include the Powerflush. I asked why the price has not decreased with the exclusion of the Poweflush. British Gas said that the cylinder has to be specially ordered. Surely, last year, the situation would have been the same?

So, I really need to hear from others on this forum. Have you had a new hot water cylinder installed recently? How much is too much? How much is unfair pricing? Is £2,300 really ridiculous?

I live in a former council flat. I can't afford this huge fee that British Gas wants. I have phoned four local plumbing companies to give me a quote. As I wait for their appointments, I want to ask you for your advice. Last year, so many of you were really helpful. That stopped me from getting anxious and paying up £2,400 to British Gas. I thank those who were helpful with their feedback.

What would you do in this situation? How much did you pay for your hot water cylinder? Are there anything I have to watch out for? Buying a TV or a fridge is easy. But this is something I don't know anything about.

I thank you in advance for your thoughts.

PS: here is that discussion from last summer:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5485742

TheCyclingProgrammer

If it gives you any idea I had an old conventional boiler replaced with a new combi including relocating to the upstairs airing cupboard, removal of old hot and cold water tanks, magnetic filter and a power flush before installation for about £2k a few years ago and this is in Essex.

Alex1983

Is it a unvented cyclinder or regular cyclinder?

Alex1983

Also why are they not replacing the cyclinder under the home care agreement

keith969

I had a pressurised unvented cylinder replaced some 6 years ago. So a new cylinder, pipework redone, etc. £1200 in total from a local plumber. A regular cylinder should be quite a bit cheaper.

Pdbaggett

I just had my leaking hot water cylinder replaced for £400 all in. Labour and parts. £2400 is ridiculous. In the north east if that helps.

lauraland

I paid £600 around 4 years ago. Get a quote from a local plumber, BG are notoriously expensive

stator

Well you've done the right thing by getting some quotes. See what they say. I'm guessing they will be a lot lower than BG.

[Deleted User]

Get yourself a proper plumber. BG are to plumbing what Safestyle UK and Everest are to windows.
I paid £500 for a new cylinder about 8 years ago.

EssexExile

What sort of cylinder is this? I can't get my head round why a faulty cylinder would cause an overflow into the bath.

keith969

EssexExile wrote: »

What sort of cylinder is this? I can't get my head round why a faulty cylinder would cause an overflow into the bath.

I assumed he meant an unvented system, and the overflow from the tundish was emptying into his bath. Which is a strange place for it to go but then whoever put mine in originally left the pipe unconnected with a bucket below, sigh.

If this is the case and it's dripping, it's not the cylinder that needs replacing though...