BG Boiler Quote

zooks

BG condemned our boiler today and have capped off the gas supply at the meter. No complaints about their actions as i'd rather not risk using a dangerous boiler.

The old boiler is a combi mounted in a cupboard with the flue going through the attic/roof of our bungalow.

BG have quoted to replace it with a new 35kw Valiant boiler in the same location with new flue. Scaffolding required to reach the roof.

£4400

We have no gas supply now so no hot water or heating and need to arrange a replacement ASAP.

I'm guessing they have loaded it up because we are desperate but are they really taking the mick?

victor2

BG are rarely the cheapest option. Look for a local company and ask for a quote the supply the same. Just make sure they are an approved Valiant installer if that's the brand you want. Of course you're pretty desperate to get the work done, so that severely limits your options.

Also check that the installer BG will use will give you the full warranty - they must be accredited by Valiant to do so. I had a quote from BG some years back for a Worcester Bosch boiler, but they couldn't provide the full 10 year warranty because they weren't accredited. They didn't get the business and were the most expensive anyway!

Veteransaver

Can I ask what is so dangerous about your current boiler? Why was it condemned? Is it worth a second opinion?

zooks

Veteransaver said:

Can I ask what is so dangerous about your current boiler? Why was it condemned? Is it worth a second opinion?

Its a Biasi boiler and its been unreliable for a while. That said it was serviced yearly but this year the BG engineer has condemned it due to high CO2 readings and the flue not being properly fitted. I was surprised he disconnected our gas supply though but I guess it was deemed necessary.

A second opinion might be a good idea but obviously I can't demonstrate anything because they have shut off my gas!

If I get another heating engineer to do the work do I have to get BG to reconnect my gas?

MikeJXE

A gas registered engineer can reconnect the gas and do a test, that would be my first priority 

Quotes from local company will be cheaper than BG 

Choose a boiler with a long warranty 7 or 10 years

https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/

badmemory

This is a lesson in never having BG service your boiler.  They have history of doing this.  Many years ago they did it to my mother when all it needed was a grommet which they said was unavailable.  A local gas servicer fitted it a day later.  Did they also diswconnect a gas cooker, that would be really out of order.

glennevis

MikeJXE said:

A gas registered engineer can reconnect the gas and do a test, that would be my first priority 

Quotes from local company will be cheaper than BG 

Choose a boiler with a long warranty 7 or 10 years

https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/

I was talking to a gas safe engineer just before Christmas and at least one manufacturer is now doing 12 year warranty on combi boilers. Obviously with T&Cs (magnetic filter, annual service etc.).

zooks

Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

I have a local firm coming to take a look today.

I'm not accusing BG of anything, it had been highlighted to us before that Biasi is not the best boiler but its a lot of money to find so i'll check out our options.

better dig out the thick jumpers!

silvercar

Can BG fit a new boiler quickly? I am looking at options, though mine has just been repaired so I have some time to look at options. BG seem to want their “gas surveyor” to visit before booking the job in and then they book a couple of weeks ahead. It may be quicker in your area. When I thought I would need an urgent replacement, BOXT had short lead times and prices a little cheaper than BG, maybe worth a look (though it’s not a recommendation)

FreeBear

badmemory said: This is a lesson in never having BG service your boiler.  They have history of doing this.  Many years ago they did it to my mother when all it needed was a grommet which they said was unavailable.  A local gas servicer fitted it a day later.

I had a gas boiler "condemned" (not by BG) because they claimed that a grommet was missing. Called them out as there was never a grommet where they said there should be, and it wasn't even listed on the spares. Tried to find another local Gas Safe engineer to check & reconnect, but most of them refused to do the work.

Several companies advertising next day boiler replacements, Boxt being just one. Heatable & Boiler Central being a couple more - They will contract a local engineer to do the install (quality of work can be variable), but will offer 10/12 year warranties depending on boiler. A straight boiler swap should take less than a day.

I'd suggest looking at the Viessmann 050 combi - It has a fantastic modulation range and a 10 year warranty. Depending on your cold water flow rate, a 30KW boiler may well be sufficient.

zooks

Thanks again,

I had a look at prices. Just retail not trade the boiler BG quoted is £1600, flue and ancillaries probably £500 ish (guessing) scaffolding £800? (it's only a bungalow).

They said they can use same gas feed & pipework where possible, our existing mag trap and hive system.

£1500 for a days labour seems a lot to me, is it?

Local plumber called in this morning so put BG on hold until I get a second opinion