Quote for Boiler Upgrade - Reasonable ?

NinaSwiss

I have received 3 quotes so far for a boiler upgrade (upgrade regular boiler in kitchen with tank in loft to Combination boiler) .

Boiler is Worcester Greenstar 28CDi Compact Combi Boiler.
Property is a London/Kent based 3-bed mid terrace with 7 rads (soon 8).


--- Quotes ---

AC Wilgar (Local Recommended Company) £3,800, 7 years warranty, Power Flush, no need to cut kitchen worktops as will use different route. 10 year warranty if filter included. The colleague that recommended them had same upgrade done 3 years ago for £1000 less!!!

British Gas - £4,100, 5 years warranty, Power Flush. I’ll need to arrange for Granite kitchen worktops to be cut to accommodate new pipes

EON- £3,500, 5 years warranty, Chemical Flush. I’ll need to arrange for kitchen worktops to be cut to accommodate new pipes

I've got two more Worcester approved installers coming to quote next week. Then I'll have a think on what to do next.

NinaSwiss

Abit more Details from first quote:

Combination Boiler System Upgrade

Preparation: The central heating system will be drained down, remove from site the existing hot water storage cylinder and all redundant controls/materials. To remove and dispose of the existing cold water storage tank and central heating feed and expansion tank.(with the exception of steel & asbestos tanks). We will make good the old flue hole, matching the brick work as best as possible where relevant. Dust sheets and floor coverings will be used to protect your property and belongings.

System Cleaning: To carry out a cleanse to the existing 7 x radiator system with a Powerflush Machine (This is a proper powerflush, not a chemical flush or cleanse) using Fernox F3 central heating cleaner which removes sludge, limescale and other debris to restore heating efficiency in accordance with the boiler manufacturers
recommendations.

New Boiler: To supply and install one x Band A rated Worcester Bosch - 28 CDi Compact ErP Greenstar wall
mounted fan flued condensing combination boiler at high level in the kitchen cupboard with horizontal flue kit. Water Meter A water meter is fitted at the property which will require an Altecnic Pneumatic Shock Arrestor
Dull ½" bsp (Mini Expansion Vessel) as recommended by Manufacturers.

Plumbing services: To convert all existing hot and cold domestic outlets to mains pressure via the new
combination boiler including changing ball valve jets to high pressure to avoid overflow problems from the
toilet/s, insulating any new pipe work in exposed areas where required.

Condense Route: The Condense will terminate into an External Drain including Weatherproof lagging.

Gas Supply: To establish as necessary a gas supply from a suitable point to the boiler ensuring sufficient gas pressure is achieved in compliance with manufacturer’s instructions. The gas supply run was found to be adequate.

Controls: To re-use the existing hive controls and connect to the new boiler.

Electrics: To re-use existing fused spur power outlet socket for isolation purposes and carry out all electrical wiring associated with the new boiler and new controls. Any cross bonding that may be required, including
earthing of gas and water supplies, which does not conform to IEE regulations, will be notified to the client.

System Protection: To refill the heating system, dose with Fernox F1 protecting against corrosion and scale, heat test and leave in full working order.Existing magnaclean filter to be utilised.

Ganga

Just ask who ever gets the job what they are doing with the redundent copper pipework/cylinder/tanks as they are worth a few bob from the scrap merchants

Ant555

I had a Worcester Bosch 30cdi compact fitted almost exactly 12 months ago replacing an existing boiler so minimal pipework.
Drain and flush, magnetic filter, internal condensate pipe (I would recommend an internal run if at all possible) - £2100. Wasnt the cheapest quote I had (all independants) but I felt more comfortable with the one I chose.
Your quote looks to include a bit more more work and you are 250 miles further south than me so there may be a difference there.

I know I had a new boiler but I am sure the powerflush in my 20 year old untouched system made a massive difference as well - its strange but the radiators are not just 'hot' any more but seem to actually 'radiate' heat where they havent seemed to do this for a good while - could be all in my mind that though!

Hope this helps

nickcc

Five years ago had quote from BG for relocating new boiler supplied by BG from original kitchen to what was original lounge, now converted to utility. BG quoted £3600 so looked for prices elsewhere. Ended up paying £1600 so my advice would be to get as many quotes as possible and, as long as they're gas approved, choose the cheapest.

southcoastrgi

Why are you just getting quotes for WB because they really aren't the best boilers whatever the advertising tells you, I can practically guarantee the gas run isn't adequate, F3 isn't the right chemical for a powerflush, depending on the age of your Hive it might not be boiler plus which means they won't be able to use it

keith969

Why are you going for a combi as opposed to e.g. a pressurised unvented system?

As this will mean you have no backup (hot water tank + immersion heater) if the new boiler fails?

Dean000000

Yes the costs are reasonable, as demonstrated by the similar costs you are wing quoted.

Whether you can find it for less is another question.

You need to decide whether you want to cut your worktop or not...you are not comparing applies for apples.

You are the client and can dictate this. It just may be you’ll be paying a premium for it.

Quote 1 appears best value

Irrelevant what the costs were 3 years ago. Entirely.

Thank you

rach_k

Sounds reasonable to me. We paid around £3k for what sounds like a very similar job (3 bed mid terrace in S London) 3-4 years ago, with an independent plumber we trust 100%.

knightstyle

If you use a shower on the hot water make sure the combi gives a decent flow rate as some are not suitable for showers.

cattie

If you're getting other quotes in you could try Boilers R Us who have branches in SE London/Kent areas. My neighbours had them fit a new ch system last year & they quoted a price about half of what B Gas did.

I use these people to service my Vaillant boiler too as they offer an extremely good price to pensioners.