Looking to buy 1970's built house with Airflow Heating - how much to switch to gas central heating

kcbf

Hello, hope you can help.

We are looking at buying a 3 bedroomed semi-detached house, built in the 1970's that has an airflow heating system.
I know nothing about these.
To bring it to gas central heating I would expect to pay about £5k - is this accurate for new boiler, new radiators and all pipework to be installed? We would do this before we moved in, and all carpets are being pulled out anyway and need to be replaced.
The house also needs the bathroom changing - it has bath and sink in one room, and the loo next door in a separate room - have had a quote for £6k to knock the wall out, and redo the bathroom (depending on suite quality - this quote was for a middle cost suite, i.e. not he best, but also not the cheapest).
The house also looks like it needs new windows - £6k???
There is a make do conservatory out the back that looks to have been done on the cheap, that is with no upvc and looks more like a green house in construction
The house is where we want to buy, and if all work was done, it would be worth £240k
Want to have an idea of how much we will need to pay to fix everything using tradespeople - we are not DIY enthusiasts.
So need:
New central heating install - £5k
new Windows - £6k
New bathroom - £6k
New carpets - £3k
New kitchen (at some point - it's not terrible, but not great either) - £6k
Replacement conservatory  - £6k???

What do people think on those estimates for accuracy, and does it all seem just too much to do?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,
KC

dimbo61

You are close with the figures you have been quoted ?
However does this 1970,s property also need a complete rewire ? Another £3,500.
You can spend £3,000 or £30,000 on a kitchen and same with a bathroom !

dimbo61

My Sister had 8 new uPVC windows and soffits and fascia boards gutters all done last week for £6,000
We are having 2 new sets of french doors for £1900 fixed next week

greatcrested

Is there currently a gas supply?

If not, how far away is the nearest gas pipe? Getting connected can cost a lot before you start the internal installation.

Splatfoot

Also, be aware that gas is being 'phased out' (new builds from 2025) so it might be worth looking at alternatives. Is the airflow heating not effective? I'm buying a house with very old electric heating and am researching other ways to heat, other than gas CH.

cattie

My home current home (built mid '60's) had warm air heating when I moved in & it cost me around £3k to have a Valliant combi boiler & rads installed. You may have underestimated the cost of a new kitchen. Mine is fairly small but cost around £11k with top of the range appliances. I paid around £3k for replacement windows for a 2 bed, 2 recep property.

Try to get recommendations from people you know who've had work done on their properties if possible & always get more than one quote.

FreeBear

A word of caution - Some of those warm air systems had quite a bit of asbestos built in. You need to get samples tested and factor in expensive disposal costs if the test comes back positive.

Apart from the kitchen, the rest of your costings look to be reasonable.

kcbf

Thanks All!
There is gas to the property, and the asbestos element is something we will query with the agent - not sure if they'll know to be honest, and unsure where we would find out until it's too late.

Whether the airflow system is effective is something I have no idea on right now. I have read some people like the system, but as it's new to me, it felt like something we should be prepared for in case it needed an overhaul.
Will see what other methods are in place for heating that are more green. but sadly probably more expensive, at least initially.
Understandkitchens can run to many thousands, but we're quite conservative in our tastes, so think the £6k figure would cover the most of it, maybe having to stretch to £10k.

As the house is on for £225k, I think an opening offer of £200k would be fair, and see where that gets us...

David28

kcbf said:

Whether the airflow system is effective is something I have no idea on right now. I have read some people like the system, but as it's new to me, it felt like something we should be prepared for in case it needed an overhaul.
Will see what other methods are in place for heating that are more green. but sadly probably more expensive, at least initially.

I had warm air heating and replaced it with a combi and radiators cost about £6000 and am using 30% less gas a year.
21000 kWh then 14500 kWh now.

martindow

kcbf said:

Thanks All!
There is gas to the property, and the asbestos element is something we will query with the agent - not sure if they'll know to be honest, and unsure where we would find out until it's too late.

The agent won't have clue and will just say something reassuring.  They are working for the seller and just want a sale ...

You could try calling an asbestos survey company to ask if they would be able to determine the presence or otherwise of asbestos, but it is quite possible thst it is boxed in and impossible to access.

aestivus

I replaced my 1970s warm air with a modern warm air (runs off a boiler, so at least I no longer need a hot water cylinder as well), and I have to say I love it. I like not losing space to radiators, and I find it heats things quickly, and my bills are low. But YMMV! 

I'd definitely get an asbestos inspection before trying to move or change anything.