How to find gas engineer

stator

Hi,

I'm looking to find a gas engineer to at least Attempt to fix my old back boiler. I've phoned a few people but they aren't interested, they just want to rip and replace with a combi for £5k+ without even looking at my old one. They say you can't get parts, but looking on eBay there are still parts available listed as Brand New for my model.

I was thinking of posting a job on a jobsite, but they all seem set up for Quotes and it isn't quotable really. I've never used any of these job sites. Can anyone recommend one that would be appropriate?

I also want a quote for a new heat only boiler (which should be cheaper to install), but no-one is interested in that either.

I'm based in Plymouth.

Ebe_Scrooge

Back boilers tend to be inefficient, and since they're no longer allowed to be installed as a "new" installation, parts are expensive and difficult to get hold of.  That's probably the reason for the difficulty you're having.  And I'd be very wary of any parts off Ebay when gas safety is concerned.

Your best bet for finding a reliable engineer is to ask friends and neighbours, or a local community Facebook page, for recommendations.  Or check directly on the GSR: https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/

FreeBear

Make & model of the boiler ?

And a description of the fault.

If it is a Baxi Bermuda, there is very little to go wrong. Just a gas valve, thermocouple, and a thermostat - All readily available, so really no excuse for claiming parts are unobtainable. Perhaps some of these "engineers" are assuming "obsolete" means parts just can not be purchased anywhere....

stator

Yes, it's Baxi Bermuda 51/5.

Constant red light after resetting using thermostat knob.

Flow chart in manual, if I interpret correctly, indicates PCB fault.

FreeBear

stator said:

Yes, it's Baxi Bermuda 51/5.

Constant red light after resetting using thermostat knob.

Flow chart in manual, if I interpret correctly, indicates PCB fault.

Quite a bit more modern than my Baxi...

The PCB being faulty is a reasonable diagnosis. There could also be a fault with the gas valve, so that part would need checking before replacing the PCB. As for finding an engineer prepared to do the work, I'm afraid I can't recommend anyone either locally or in the Plymouth area.

On the bright side, gas valve & PCB appear to be readily available, expensive though...

diystarter7

Hi OP
Advertise on those building sites where you advertise your job.
Then those that contact u, research their feedback and what the feedback
was for and how long registered with site
if still interested ask for prices ie min charge and if they dont have the part etc, will
there be a second charge etc to get a good idea
Explain the problem

On all sites you have the good, bad and the ugly, so be careful, do your research

Check their credentials on official website re their registration etc

Good luck

diystarter7

btw, it is difficult to get hold of any decent builder at a fair+ price in london.
Not sure where the builders etc have gone or cant be bothered

Re boilers, you are right, they just want to do a new one and this applies to cookers/ovens breaking down as well

Good luck

[Deleted User]

Hi,

for gas work you should get a gas safe engineer, check locally.

Ebe_Scrooge

diystarter7 said:

btw, it is difficult to get hold of any decent builder at a fair+ price in london.

Any good tradesman will have a long waiting list, by dint of the fact that they're "good" (i.e. they do a good standard of work for a fair price).  Perverse as it may sound, I'd generally steer clear of a tradesman who says "sure, I can start tomorrow".

MikeJXE

According to my son, Gas safe engineer who I might add is very clever at most technical stuff says, it is not necessarily the PCB, just because it is showing a fault something else may be causing that fault. That fire is very old and not very smart 

stator

MikeJXE said:

According to my son, Gas safe engineer who I might add is very clever at most technical stuff says, it is not necessarily the PCB, just because it is showing a fault something else may be causing that fault. That fire is very old and not very smart 

Indeed, but I still need to find someone to visit and find out