New Boiler Quote

[Deleted User]

Hi,

I have received two quotes for the boiler replacement and it ranges a bit - Higher cost one, the company seems very professional and knowledgeable and another low-cost one is single man and I was not very convinced when going through discussions on the quote and just said the price there and then but hesitant on this / that etc..,

Would be great if anybody can advise in general on these prices - I live in Reading, Berkshire.

Quote 1: £5,760 incl. VAT (Materials = £3,000, Labour: £1,800 + VAT)
Removal: Existing Vaillant boiler and flue with associated pipework and electrics located in the bedroom cupboard
Installation:
1. Worcester Bosch 36 CDI Compact boiler with vertical flue to be installed in the loft
2. 22mm gas supply to be connected to the boiler
3. Flow and return central heating pipes to be connected to the boiler
4. Worcester Bosch System Filter to be installed on the primary return
5. Install mains water with Sentinal Sesi scale reducer to the boiler
6. Install hot water supply to the boiler
7. Condensate waste from the boiler to be linked into existing waste supply
8. Install 300lt TWS accumulator tank in the loft
9. Re-Install Nest thermostat (Existing)
10. The central heating system to be flushed with Sentinal X800 cleaner and X100 inhibitor to be added
11. Commission boiler and register with Gas Safe
12. 10-year manufacturer guarantee
13. 2 years of annual servicing

Quote 2: Single man company - He just said for the same above
Materials: £2,900 and Labour = £1,400 - I was hoping it was no VAT but I will confirm.

ukjoel

Worth having a look on ebay and pricing all the bits.
The boiler is for sale for £1400 on its own.

There is one company fitting these (an ebay search for the boiler pulls them up for £2200 inclusive of VAT.
They are checkatrade with nearly 200 reviews and while I take reviews with a pinch of salt 200 reviews over a few years suggests some level of competence.


You can then work out if you take your £5800 and deduct the £2200 this guy is charging and work out whether the £3600 for a 300 litre water tank, some flush, a magna filter, are worth the money.

I am not saying its right or not but worth looking around and having more information.

ukjoel

Just googled TWS 300 litre tank and this looks like a mainsboost tank so if its a flomate 300 then thats going to add approx 1k to the bill.

giraffe69

If the gas pipes have to be upgraded that will also add to the cost.

fezster

The parts cost what they cost. Price them up yourself and decide if they are reasonable. Keep in mind all tradesmen (rightly) add on a margin to the parts to account for the time taken to purchase them and be responsible for them (eg. replace them if faulty). They can usually source them cheaper than you can, so may add no extra cost to you.

The labour quote can again be estimated depending on the work required. The two quotes are not thousands of pounds out, so personally, I would base my decision on any personal recommendations you have had for either of the installers. Try and see previous work if you can. The hassle and stress of having a job done wrongly will far outweigh a few hundred pounds extra. Having said that, the more expensive quote is not necessarily a guarantee of good work. How did you find these installers? And do you have any family or friends who have had similar work done in the past who you could ask for recommendations?

Box28

Check reviews if available on both. Many companies look professional with their quotes because they know many people look for that. Then they'll go sub-contract your single man from Quote 2 to do the work.

southcoastrgi

Why are they quoting a accumulator ?
Why are they moving it to the loft ? (Think of the recent weather the pipes could freeze & the boiler will be working all night on the frost stat)

Nile

Hi, we move threads if we think they’ll get more help elsewhere (please read the forum rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board. If you have any questions about this policy please email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.

I’ve moved your thread from the ‘In my home’ board to the ‘Is This Quote Fair?’ board, where it is better suited.

Regards

Nile

[Deleted User]

Thanks All.

I have now clarified on few things on the quote and that answers or provides clarity for me mostly.

1. If its purely Worcester boiler combi (36 CDI compact) replacement like for like replacement along with other jobs related to that without going to loft then its £3900 (incl. VAT) (Powerflush, Filter and elements included in the original post + 2 years annual servicing, legally we have to upgrade to 22mm from meter to boiler it seems as ours is old combi with 15 mm)
2. The engineer suggested loft because the current boiler is in a guest bedroom (so not ideal being a habitable room) and our loft is insulated and meets all legal requirement (Permanent lighting, Floorboard and retracted or permanent ladder) and that the new boiler has frost protection as well - Moving to loft adds £550 additional labour and few parts etc.., and also free up space for us in the guest bedroom to think about utilising as a cupboard etc..,
3. Accumulator tank was suggested because of our mains water pressure is very low and we have plans of having one more shower room next year (as part of a small extension) - This adds £1350 (incl. VAT) on both parts and labour

And I was recommended by few friends in local areas and they are a family run business with excellent reviews all across from people - so even thou' it feels like I am may be paying £400-£450 higher, it feels a lot safer and trustable.

Thanks for all your inputs.

SuzieSue

Deleted_User wrote: »

2. and our loft is insulated and meets all legal requirement (Permanent lighting, Floorboard and retracted or permanent ladder) and that the new boiler has frost protection as well - .

If your loft is well insulated then that will make the problem worse if the boiler breaks down and it is very cold. You will need to open the loft hatch to ensure that heat from the house gets to the loft.

Ant555

I had an old combi replaced with a Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30i recently.

I considered but discounted the loft as ours is in an airing cupboard so not a problem however the noise of the new boiler is definitely louder than my old one. Actually, its not loud but its a different noise to my old one and I would definitely not like to sleep in a room with it on the wall.

We didn't go with cheapest but the local own-business plumber as he said all the right things and we felt comfortable. - Even though one of his employees did the work, he came to inspect it.

Hope this helps.