Quotes for radiator install - which one?

shiraz99

I've got two quotes for a radiator install/swap, fitting only of rad and new valves, minor change to pipework and inhibitor. One is a fixed price of £140 + VAT, the other is timed rate of £70 + VAT for the first hour plus £35 for every half hour after. The job is a swap of one single radiator to a double of the same width but taller. Which one would you go for?

Boohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6653857/quotes-for-radiator-install-which-one

Go for the £140 plus vat.

You will then know what the price is and not have to worry about how long it takes as a fixed price.

shiraz99

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81870616#Comment_81870616

That was my thinking.

caprikid1

It depends whether you like a gamble, cannot see it taking more that 3 hours personally, by the time the system has been drained, any pipework done and refilled etc cannot see it being less that 2 hours either.

If you have other radiators to change now is good time whilst the system is drained or wish to fit replacement thermostatic valves etc.

Markdavid1962

Go for the fixed price …..I recently had two new radiators installed, pipes were already installed but not connected to main radiator flow and return, so just needed connecting and installing the two new rads. System was drained and then refilled that took just over two hours, the next hour and half was spent bleeding air out of the system and making sure every Rads was heating up, in total nearly 4 hours in total

plumb1_2

£35. Per 30 minutes, it’s very easy to go over by 5 minutes.
5 minutes equals another £35 + vat.

Go for the fixed price.

caprikid1

Ah sorry just realised it was £35 per 30 mins 100% agree fixed price on this.

greyteam1959

Fixed price every time.

Some tradesman have been known to stretch things out a bit.