New boiler or other option (house for sale)

_Sam_

The house (2 bed end terrace) we are preparing to sell this summer needs its combi boiler replacing, it’s 13 years old and the repair it needs would cost £800+ maybe more, so it was recommended that we replace it. 

The rough quote the plumber gave so far is £1800 for a cheapest combi boiler installed with 5 year warranty. 

Im with Octopus and the other possibility could be to apply for a grant to have a ASHP but I suspect it may cost more than £1800 and I’m not sure if it is likely to add or perhaps detract from the value of the house when it’s on the market (could some people be put off if they learn the house has a heat pump…)

The situation currently that our income is below £31000 so I was also looking into the possibility of ECO4 Flex but not sure if owing two houses may affect the eligibility (though we are in the process of selling one of these two houses) and also not sure if this scheme covers replacing an older boiler with a new one.

And finally there is a question of time, the plumber would be able to work reasonably soon, but I wonder if going a grant or a scheme route takes long time until everything is arranged and work can be done. (Time is of the essence as mortgage is a daylight robbery so we are hoping to sell the house quickly to pay it off.)

Would you say the best option in these circumstances would be to go with the plumber and have a new combi boiler installed, rather than pursuing grants/schemes?

FreeBear

Octopus quoted me £2700 for an ASHP (subject to survey). But my plumbing is heat pump ready and the radiators have been oversized with one in mind. Also have the advantage that I have space for the ASHP outside and the tank(s) inside - The DHW tank takes up a surprising amount of space even for the smaller ones. The only suitable space I have is not ideal (pipe runs would be too long if I were to use the original airing cupboard location).

If you existing boiler is still working, I'd leave it as-is. The next owner can then decide on a new boiler or ASHP. Should the boiler be faulty and beyond economical repair, I'd be tempted to offer a £2K reduction and let the next owner choose their preferred option. If you were to replace the boiler now, it is unlikely that the next owner would benefit from any warranty unless it can be transferred (probably for a fee).

Farway

FreeBear said:

If you existing boiler is still working, I'd leave it as-is. The next owner can then decide on a new boiler or ASHP. Should the boiler be faulty and beyond economical repair, I'd be tempted to offer a £2K reduction and let the next owner choose their preferred option. If you were to replace the boiler now, it is unlikely that the next owner would benefit from any warranty unless it can be transferred (probably for a fee).

I agree, leave it as it is and offer to knock 2k off the asking price

ecraig

_Sam_ said:

The house (2 bed end terrace) we are preparing to sell this summer needs its combi boiler replacing, it’s 13 years old and the repair it needs would cost £800+ maybe more, so it was recommended that we replace it. 

The rough quote the plumber gave so far is £1800 for a cheapest combi boiler installed with 5 year warranty. 

Im with Octopus and the other possibility could be to apply for a grant to have a ASHP but I suspect it may cost more than £1800 and I’m not sure if it is likely to add or perhaps detract from the value of the house when it’s on the market (could some people be put off if they learn the house has a heat pump…)

The situation currently that our income is below £31000 so I was also looking into the possibility of ECO4 Flex but not sure if owing two houses may affect the eligibility (though we are in the process of selling one of these two houses) and also not sure if this scheme covers replacing an older boiler with a new one.

And finally there is a question of time, the plumber would be able to work reasonably soon, but I wonder if going a grant or a scheme route takes long time until everything is arranged and work can be done. (Time is of the essence as mortgage is a daylight robbery so we are hoping to sell the house quickly to pay it off.)

Would you say the best option in these circumstances would be to go with the plumber and have a new combi boiler installed, rather than pursuing grants/schemes?

Leave it as-is, save yourself the faff, and let the new buyer fit whatever product or brand they want. Whatever you choose the next buyer probably won’t be excited by.
like, for example, if you fitted a new Ideal boiler, I’d be whinging that you wasted your money on a basic rubbish boiler. I would also wonder what other cheap rubbish you have installed, too. 
fit a Worcester Bosch and I’d be happier but I’d want something like at least a 30cdi if I was buying my house again - if you got a 28cdi fitted i would wish you didn’t bother. 
fit an ashp and I’ll have to way to validate how good the product is as it will be the warm summertime so I will be skeptical about its quality until autumn/winter arrives.

Personally, dont bother especially if you’re going to get the cheapest crud. 

TheElectricCow

I’d agree with the others, doing nothing is probably the best bet. Whatever you choose to install your buyer may well want to rip it out and put something else in instead, especially if you’re only looking at the cheap options with a quick install. 

One person may not care about the heating system in the slightest and another could want to invest a great deal of time and money fitting a perfectly optimised heat pump system that achieves a COP of 5+. If you want to appeal to as many people as possible then selling as is gives you the broadest reach, while picking one or the other may reduce interest from either end of the spectrum.

_Sam_

Thank you all, unfortunately the boiler is not working some two parts broke within it which the plumber says would cost £800 to replace, but there is a good chance that once he opens the boiler up something else would transpire to be broken leading to further cost, that is why he recommended replacement.

I'd be worried to market the house without a functioning boiler, in case that may devalue it or put off some buyers completely. (Though there is a quality wood burning stove in the sitting room!) The house itself is not an expensive one, and I suspect much interest would come from first-time buyers who might want a house more or less ready to live in, rather than having to worry about installing a boiler. 

I did ask the plumber to quote for the cheapest boiler out there as I don't want to spend more money than absolutely necessary. But do you think it would make sense to splash out on Worcester, are people likely to be put off by a rubbish boiler even though brand new? 

ecraig

If you need to fit a boiler in order for it to actually sell, then you need to get a few quotes.
valiant or Worcester Bosch are always safer bets but I’d recommend to spec up technically. If the plumbers think you need a 28cdi based on the number of rads or bathrooms, perhaps spec up to a 30csi or 32cdi. Don’t bother with the fanciest controls though because this is where people might have to their preference for wireless, smart or indeed nothing fancy. 

Alnat1

Speak with your estate agent and get their view before you spend any cash. They will know the market and be able to advise you on the best option.

mmmmikey

I appreciate I may be swimming against the tide here, but if you're a first time buyer who's struggled to get together the deposit together then needing to spend an extra £2k or £3k as soon as you move in is likely to be a deal breaker, even if it is reflected in the price. Also, I suspect most buyers will glaze over if you tell them you've upped the spec to a 30csi or 32cdi and/or you'll get a "that's nice but I haven't got a clue what you're talking about" response. That's not to say for a moment I'd question the advice, it's just that I suspect for most people there's a big difference between buying a house without a functioning boiler and buying one with a new boiler, but very little difference when it comes to the model of the boiler. Again, not suggesting that's how it should be but that's how it is. So if it were me, I'd buy the cheapest boiler that I'd heard the brand of and get that fitted. I think you'll put off gazillions of potential buyers if you try and sell it with a non-functioning heating/hot-water system. But I'd suggest doing what @Alnat1 says and check with your estate agent, it depends on the local market is like and who is likely to buy it.

zxzxzx

There are a few on eBay newish 2nd hand, people have installed a heat pump so you might be lucky and get a simple swop?

Zandoni

I'd just go with the cheapest boiler, most buyers would be pleased to have a five year guarantee. ASHP could be a nightmare having to change radiators and pipework etc