Where to buy a new boiler?

David333

My elderly mother's boiler has finally given in. Its over fifteen years old and has had some issues anyway, so I am trying to work out how to buy a boiler at what is now short notice. She owns a small two-bedroom bungalow and basically just needs something to keep her warm for a few more years with gas central heating. The engineer mentioned an RI 18Kw replacement (?).

I'm just wondering if there is kind of best practice for anything like this. I've had a local company recommended by the engineer who are going to give a quote quickly and have had lots of positive ratings on Google; the guy also seemed decent on the phone when I rang him.

Assuming the quotation isn't unaffordable, is it worth just going for it?

Reed_Richards

Here is a price example: https://www.cityplumbing.co.uk/p/worcester-bosch-greenstar-18ri-18kw-heat-only-boiler-7733600309/p/263637?srsltid=AfmBOordH6gLtKtRRE8xO70bBOXjY9hEoz7ZU0jM27cCl2S0OsrzjAqp

David333

Reed_Richards said:

Here is a price example: https://www.cityplumbing.co.uk/p/worcester-bosch-greenstar-18ri-18kw-heat-only-boiler-7733600309/p/263637?srsltid=AfmBOordH6gLtKtRRE8xO70bBOXjY9hEoz7ZU0jM27cCl2S0OsrzjAqp

Fantastic, thank you. Having had a bit of a look online I'd budgeted about £2000. I assume that with installation a boiler like this one would end up around that price. Secondly, is this the kind of job that essentially could be done at the beginning of next week? I don't know how long things take!

tim_p

If it’s a like for like replacement (so same type, not necessarily make, same location, same overall pipework) then your £2K should cover it. Find a local trusted certified company and all should be well. Use same company for annual service. 

David333

tim_p said:

If it’s a like for like replacement (so same type, not necessarily make, same location, same overall pipework) then your £2K should cover it. Find a local trusted certified company and all should be well. Use same company for annual service. 

Thank you. You don't want to be ripped off by a friendly, helpful company, because price obviously comes into it, With these kinds of things, they're not something that you buy every day, so it's difficult to determine good value!

sammyjammy

Not something I would normally do but I had mine replaced within a week by British Gas, I used the interest free credit option but obviously you don't have to.  No complaints and with something like a boiler the warranty and support is great piece of mid.

David333

sammyjammy said:

Not something I would normally do but I had mine replaced within a week by British Gas, I used the interest free credit option but obviously you don't have to.  No complaints and with something like a boiler the warranty and support is great piece of mid.

Thank you, I was looking at their website earlier, which kinda prompted me to ask the question. As I say, it's so difficult to know where to go. I think this local company has a ten year warranty, which seems pretty decent. Basically, we need heating as soon as possible, yet can't really throw money at the problem! I called them today and the local company said they'd come tomorrow, which seems promising.

ButterCheese

Yes that's about what I paid for mine, it was like for like replacement but still cost £2400 (but I think mine was a larger boiler).  The Worcester boilers are expensive but they are arguably the best ones; at least they are a known comodity, have good warranties and availablity for parts/servicing.  Cheaper boilers are available but we were told to avoid them at all costs

David333

ButterCheese said:

Yes that's about what I paid for mine, it was like for like replacement but still cost £2400 (but I think mine was a larger boiler).  The Worcester boilers are expensive but they are arguably the best ones; at least they are a known comodity, have good warranties and availablity for parts/servicing.  Cheaper boilers are available but we were told to avoid them at all costs

I think this is a Worcester dealer, so I'm assuming that's what it will be!

Browntoa

British gas will cost twice anyone else 

Boxt get good reviews from what I see and their online quote system is easy to navigate 

David333

Browntoa said:

British gas will cost twice anyone else 

Boxt get good reviews from what I see and their online quote system is easy to navigate 

Thanks. I had a quick look and they're quoting around £3000. Fingers crossed it comes in cheaper tomorrow