How is Boxt so much cheaper?

K_S

I should have done this much earlier but have finally got around to replacing our 20+ year old boiler with a modern combi, and installing the new boiler in the airing cupboard that now houses the hot water tank.

I got an all-in quote from Boxt for under 4k and a choice of installation dates all through summer.

I got two local heating firms to visit and give an all-in quote (exact same boiler model) they both quoted between 5-5.5k with earliest available dates in November.

I called Boxt and ran through the quote again in detail to confirm that they wouldn't surprise me with any extra charges and to confirm that the quote included siting the boiler in a new place (it was part of the questionnaire and added a few hundred pounds to it). So still below 4k.

I confess to knowing little to nothing about boilers and heating systems. What I don't understand is, what's the catch? Surely there must be some reason for such a large difference in cost for the same boiler and the same work?

grumbler

I would ask, why other companies are so much more expensive.

plumb1_2

Who owns them ? WB

BUFF

WB has a minority stake but yes, that, lower overheads (Boxt didn't visit you to quote but the installers that did have to bear the cost of personal visits that don't result in work) & sheer purchasing power through massive volume.

Boxt are creaming the easy work whilst leaving the harder/rarer work to someone else. This will possibly result in deskilling at one end & a shortage of good local heating designer/engineer/installers at the other (who may be able to increase prices for the work that Boxt doesn't want ...)

plumb1_2

BUFF said:

WB has a minority stake 

Dig a little deeper, Bosch European director is also a shareholder.

grumbler

K_S said:

I should have done this much earlier but have finally got around to replacing our 20+ year old boiler with a modern combi,

My boiler is almost 30y.o. and needed a minor repair. I asked the engineer whether it was worth replacing and he honestly replied that the best was too keep it. It's much more reliable than modern boilers, doesn't need any maintenance and it will take many years to recover the cost of a new boiler installation, especially if you take into account compulsory servicing required for the warranty.

sheramber

grumbler said:

K_S said:

I should have done this much earlier but have finally got around to replacing our 20+ year old boiler with a modern combi,

My boiler is almost 30y.o. and needed a minor repair. I asked the engineer whether it was worth replacing and he honestly replied that the best was too keep it. It's much more reliable than modern boilers, doesn't need any maintenance and it will take many years to recover the cost of a new boiler installation, especially if you take into account compulsory servicing required for the warranty.

But less efficient. We changed our old boiler for new 98% efficient one and had a noticeable reduction in our gas consumption.

grumbler

Of course, the reduction is noticeable. Even more noticeable is £4K outlay plus about £100 annual servicing (I don't service mine - there is no anything to 'service' there).

Last year my average monthly energy bill was just £50 in total. How much could I save? Even £300 p.a. was too optimistic.

FreeBear

grumbler said: Last year my average monthly energy bill was just £50 in total. How much could I save? Even £300 p.a. was too optimistic.

My estimated annual gas bill is £250 with an even older Baxi back boiler. The only time I will consider changing it is if the heat exchanger springs a leak and I can't get hold of a replacement.

What has been worthwhile though, is a fully programmable thermostat that allows for different temperatures throughout the day/week/year - That on its own has probably saved ~15% on gas.

K_S

Thanks all for your comments, I guess there aren't any significant trade-offs from Boxt's quote being significantly cheaper, which was my main worry. Much as I would like to support local tradespersons, the cost differential is too much.

Plus, given that they can only give me dates in November, I think they probably have more than enough business so wouldn't really miss mine

GDB2222

I used them, and I regret it.