Power flush central heating

GDB2222

What's a reasonable quote to Power flush central heating in a two bed flat? Six rads.  In N London.

I've just been quoted £600 + VAT, which seems decidedly pricey to me. Or, is that the going rate?

Belenus

It isn't cheap but it doesn't sound overly excessive as the work can take many hours to do properly.

If you are up to doing it yourself you could hire a machine (well under £100 for a day) or buy a second hand machine and sell it on again afterwards and save a lot of that £720.

nofoollikeold

1. I think £600 is about right .
2. Make sure the figure includes all chemicals, and the tests for water quality before and after.  
3. Done properly that job will take about a man day, i.e. one man for one day.  Roughly:
3a. Set up and connect - an hour, more if it is a tank based system.
3b. Basic all radiators flush - an hour.
3c. Individual radiators flush - 1/2 hour each = 3 hours.
3d. Final system flush 1/2 hour.
3e. Neutralise chemicals and test - between 1 and 2 hours depending 
3f. Disconnect, reinstate any broken connections, tidy up - between 1/2 hour and an hour.
4. Chemicals would be around £50 (inc VAT) so £550 for around 7 hours work is about £80 per hour.  

GDB2222

Thanks. I must admit that I assumed it would only take a couple of hours. 

Bendy_House

Are you up for some DIY, GDB?

If so, you can buy a complete Magnacleanse for around £400, but for a lot less 2nd-user if you are prepared to wait until turns up close enough for you to collect - many are collection only, so will have less competition. Once it's done its job, you sell it on for the same, or more. If you can offer a carriage option, it'll most likely be the latter.

If you already have a Magnaclean fitted, this will pipe straight in. Add a good strong dose of X800, and run your CH as normal for 2-4 weeks, checking and cleaning the magnets daily to begin with. Agitate the rads individually, too, to help shift anything that's in them.

Drain and flush through with clean water. Refit the wee Magna and inhibitor. Total cost, possibly zero.

The quote you've been given does seem high to me. A look on eBay shows a full powerflush in London/Surrey for just over £300. Yes, you'd need to check their credentials, but that's significantly different.

Alfrescodave

Always worth getting a few quotes for a job like this that can be given without an actual visit.
BUT make sure that they are like for like quotes and don't have any hidden "extras".