Shopping around for a new boiler pays off..!

BISHI

Over the last year we have had numerous quotes for a new combi system - many have been and quoted between 4K and 5k - ( the latter being British Gas WITH a 25% discount). The cost of this would mean it would take 15  years for the work to pay for itself ( before the recent and extortionate price rises) thus making it a non starter.

After bumping into a local heating engineer at the local heating/plumbing supplier the wife and I told him what we needed and he agreed to pop round to look at our requirements. He came round today, balanced all the pressures on the rads ( for free just to check if we had problems) - told us all the extra work the other people had quoted did not need doing ( apparently we needed a 22 mil pipe fitted from the meter to the boiler at great expense - until he pointed out we already have one !!!. We also had to move the existing boiler from its kitchen cupboard mounting to elsewhere in the house as the space was too small to allow servicing , which would be incredibly costly - until he recommended a boiler that would  fit in the existing space and thus save a small fortune).

The boiler he is fitting is a Remeha - The Dutch company that pioneered combi boilers originally so thus have the most experience in developing them....apparently.

Anyhoo, for fitting thermostatic valves, powerflushing the system, re piping a couple of rads , removal of tanks and old boiler and fitting of a new 35 kw combi boiler will cost just short of 2K. I cannot believe the difference in quotes and it just goes to show what a rip off the bigger companies are.
The fella is even coming round 2 weeks before the job to put some cleaner in the header tank to make sure the system is easier to flush. Brilliant..!

RajP

I have just been quoted £1900 to put a 25kw combi boiler in our flat and this includes removing the existing tank and boiler and power flushing the system. Is that too much? What area are you in??

BISHI

Mate, I wouldn't know TBH. Just do what I did and get lots of quotes and play them off each other. It quickly became apparent to me that most people are not offering reasonable deals, just seeing what they can get away with charging..! I have been lied to , misled and over quoted by most people - British as being by far the worst  ( and that was with a 25% discount). Shop around and see and check out local independent people. Don't be afraid to say you have a better quote. ( Also make sure to get thermostatic vavles fitted). I am in the midlands.

RajP

Cheers mate!!!

Berties

There is quite a bit of work fitting a new combi boiler from a old system boiler, they need to get access to boiler, cold water tank, hot water cylinder, overflow tank,  gas meter. Perhaps put in new 18mm pipe from meter to boiler, then remote all three tanks, joining pipes back up, flush the rads, fit boiler, fill the system test for leaks, test for gas leak, put in new thermostatic valves, supply safety certificate (gas and electric), remove old flue (perhaps asbestos) scrap old boiler, put in new flue/repair old flue hole (if new boiler is in different place) ground the pipe.

Need floorboard access above the boiler and between hot water tank. Ours took several days.

£1900 is a good price.

danmc_82

Agreed, as much as I think this is to much anyway to fit a boiler, it probably is going to be the best price.

STdrez625

Yes scrap old  copper boiler for you, thats a real expense (Hint copper is at all time high).

Ruperts slippers

But a small independent has smaller running costs than a larger company such as BG ,i think its a cheap price ,i did a combi for combi exchange for exactly the same price and same boiler for £2000 last christmas ,without all the extra work that this guy has to do...
Very very cheap price...

BISHI

Finally got it fitted Friday - the fella spent 3 days getting it right and is coming down today to finish clearing up. The difference was instant - looking forward to a warm winter.!!! First impressions of Remeha are very very good. Its a tiny boiler but heats 16 rads effortlessly. Very very pleased!!!!

Had to take out a very expensive 4 bar shower pump ( which is wierd because the pressure in both the bath and shower, though lower, are both fine). Anybody who might need this let me know ( I put an ad in classifieds).