Replacing radiators x 5 and adding two new £2900

the82message

Hi all.

Renovating an old quirky SW London maisonette, and want to replace radiators for more stylish ones, need to replace 5 pre existing, and then add one in bathroom and another in kitchen (there weren't any in either room before -- hence the quirks!). I'm being quoted £2900 for installation, labour and materials ... how does that sound to those in the know?

FreeBear

If by "stylish", you mean "designer", your £2900 quote could well be on the low side. Designer radiators at £200+ each, times seven... Or for some basic Kudox Premium from Screwfix at ~£50 each, that is going to be a nice little earner for the plumber spread over a couple of days.

BUFF

Drain system, remove 5 radiators, add pipes & valves (possibly replace valves for existing 5?) for 2 new rads, supply & install 7 designer radiators (who is working out the sizes?). Refill system (hopefully including inhibitor) & test.

As Freebear said depending upon quality/sizes of what is used (& assuming that you aren't providing the rads) it could be be good value , it could be a ripoff or anywhere inbetween ...

the82message

Thank you both, appreciate the insight!

FreeBear

BUFF said: Drain system, remove 5 radiators, add pipes & valves (possibly replace valves for existing 5?) for 2 new rads, supply & install 7 designer radiators (who is working out the sizes?). Refill system (hopefully including inhibitor) & test.

Don't forget to get the radiators balanced properly. If they aren't the system will be inefficient with some radiators getting too hot and others remaining luke warm. Some plumbers seem to think that TRVs will take care of balancing the system.

plumberpaig

At first thought it looked expensive but then I read designer radiators, some new pipework and you're based in SW London which is quite expensive. So if done correctly, it seems right. As above, make sure chemical is added and radiators are getting red hot - i.e. you can't keep your hand on them.

Rambosmum

Seems ok, but personally I would buy my own radiators from somewhere like bestheating, buy water heateid towel rails from victorian plumbing and then get someone to fit them - drain system, add pipework, change valves, hang and plumb radiators and rebalance. Then you'll get exactly what you want. Best heating has a BTU calculator as well, so you can work out how big of a radiator you need for each room, nothing worse than a radiator too small to heat the room!

I work for neither company, but have replaced 11 radiators and 3 towel rails recently and found those 2 to be the best.

Rambosmum

For reference, our designer rads were £180 - £330 per room, depending on size of radiator needed. 

Sebi_895

Definitley down to what is being referred to as 'designer' here. That price is not too bad but you may get a lower spec designer rad then what can you say against it? I sourced two designer rads myself - at least I knew (well my missus knew) what we wanted to get. I did get a magnetic filter installed when I changed a number of rads, may be something to look at if you're going for new rads.