Moving House - Boiler Enquiry

EmpireKicking

Hello MoneySavingExpert members

I'm in the progress of moving and as we all know it can be stressful what I dislike the most is not knowing what the new home has got to offer or the outcome of things. Just been informed this week regards the boiler that it's around 12 years old and has been installed since October 2011. I do not know what model it is other than it's Worcester Bosch, on paper, they last around 10 to 15 years and at this point, I'm looking at if it needs replacing or not.

information that I got so far is that the boiler has been off since May and we have no idea if it has been serviced as there is no paperwork from our solicitors, also got me thinking the pipes are going to be even older in our case. The condition of the boiler we do not know

So tips, Good idea to replace the boiler, if so then offersely we would ask for a decrease in the house price or make a deal to pay half/half with the boiler. But until we know more from the solicitors, it's a waiting game. 

But how much are we looking at to replace a new Worcester boiler, I have been looking around under £2000 - We are in the Redcar and Cleveland area 

thanks

maurice28

I'm not in the same area as you, but a few months ago we replaced the 14 year old boiler that had been in our house since we moved in with a new Baxi one. We also had it moved (within the kitchen) about 6 feet to the left, and the additional pipework that entailed. The total cost was £2,350 all in.

I'm not sure how good they are or even how expensive compared to local fitters, but online companies like Boxt appear to offer an online quote, which might give you a ballpark figure for what you are looking for?

EmpireKicking

maurice28 said:

I'm not in the same area as you, but a few months ago we replaced the 14 year old boiler that had been in our house since we moved in with a new Baxi one. We also had it moved (within the kitchen) about 6 feet to the left, and the additional pipework that entailed. The total cost was £2,350 all in.

I'm not sure how good they are or even how expensive compared to local fitters, but online companies like Boxt appear to offer an online quote, which might give you a ballpark figure for what you are looking for?

With the cost of living and prices going up, doesn't help regards to that. We have had a Baxi before however doesn't run that well for a five-bedroom home and if we got to pick (depending on cost) it would be Worcester. 

In my case, even though we have no service papers. maybe 100% good idea then, right? Got to make discussions to get the house price decreased or deal with the people we buy from if that was the case. 

We need to have a full new kitchen replaced anyway and that's where the boiler is located. 

ciderboy2009

I've got a 20 year old Worcester Bosch here that's still going strong.  Every year when I have it serviced my gas man advises me to keep it until it dies as modern ones aren't as good quality!

DougMLancs

We have a 16 year old Worcester combi boiler (do you know if yours is a combi?) and it’s still going strong. I wouldn’t be in a hurry to replace what may be a perfectly good boiler. 

TadleyBaggie

Ours (not a Worcester) lasted 28 years or so. So if it working I wouldn't be in a hurry to replace it.

grumbler

EmpireKicking said:

the boiler that it's around 12 years old and has been installed since October 2011.

My boiler is almost 30 y.o., I live here 20 years and have never serviced it, although had minor faults repaired twice.

And no, I'm not going to replace it until it fails beyond economical repair.

ciderboy2009 said:

my gas man advises me to keep it until it dies as modern ones aren't as good quality!

So did my gas man when he fixed small faults.

Bendy_House

Hi EK.

12 years is not 'old' for a decent boiler. Yes, it's approaching its twilight, but almost certainly doesn't need replacing. It will also be a fairly modern type, and condensing, so little to be gained energy-efficiency-wise by replacing it.

However, I think it's reasonable to ask for confirmation that it's running fine, and a service + basic condition report shouldn't cost the vendor more than £100. MIL was asked for one of these when she sold her bungie, since the boiler hadn't been serviced for a few years - fair enough, she wanted to sell, so she had it done.

Of course, the vendor can say 'Non', but I think that would be very silly of them in this current housing climate.

Ask, see what they say, and make a decision based on this. If they get it done and all is well with the boiler, that's that. If they refuse, it wouldn't be unreasonable for you to factor in an amount to mitigate - say £1k - and see how they respond.

BUT, anyone can say 'no', including you.

EmpireKicking

DougMLancs said:

(do you know if yours is a combi?) 

We think so, however, need to double-check that. Going to get someone to check it out before that day comes

grumbler said:

My boiler is almost 30 y.o., I live here 20 years and have never serviced it, although had minor faults repaired twice.

damnnn, 

TELLIT01

I also have a Worcester Bosch boiler combi boiler, considerably older than the one in the OP's new house, and it is still going strong.  Serviced a couple of months ago and got a clean bill of health.  Engineer said it should be good for a few more years yet.

BUFF

ciderboy2009 said:

I've got a 20 year old Worcester Bosch here that's still going strong.  Every year when I have it serviced my gas man advises me to keep it until it dies as modern ones aren't as good quality!

Depending upon efficiency & overall consumption it may be costing you considerably more in terms of your gas bill though than would a new one.

My last boiler replacement (from  non-condensing BF to condensing FF) & controls upgrade 14 years ago has paid for itself by now in consumption savings (even at a lowly ~2.5p/kWh rather than current ~10.5p).
The next one has no chance to do so as efficiency improvements will be minimal (probably single figures % at best).