I need to obtain a combi boiler for a one-bed flat. I don't want to spend a fortune as I'm selling the place soon. Are the Wicke's offerings any good?
Does the *whole installation* have to be done by a corgi plumber, or can I do it all myself, except for connecting it to the gas supply?
Thank you,
Jak
Probably not, but if you're after something to sell the place with do you care?
Technically the boiler should probably be installed in its entirety by a registered gas installer (CORGI to you) but get your installer lined up first and find out what parts of the work he's happy for you to do
The Boiler Choice FAQ certainly answers some of your questions.
IIRC, they are made by Halstead... which is not particularly reassuring but there are worse ones out there. They are probably ok for a basic boiler (especially if you won't be owning it for much longer)
You can do all the rads etc yourself. Your fitter may agree to let you do most of the boiler as well. You could do the lot yourself if you can claim "competence".
Anything new with a Guarantee will look good to a buyer.
None of the installation *has* to be done by a CORGI plumber, but:
Doing all the radiators yourself but leaving the supply and fit of the boiler and flue to the CORGI is probably a sensible compromise.
If you let the CORGI supply the boiler then he can't quibble about whose fault it is if it doesn't work later.
Owain
Thanks.. How does one claim "competence"? Would the fact that I've done it successfully before (before the corgi regs came in) class me as "competent" by the powers that be? If not, what is the likely backlash, if I just go ahead and do the whole job? I'd certainly like to avoid paying a corgi plumber - if doing so isn't going to invite headachey beurocratic problems.
Cheers,
Jak
I will look. Thanks...
Jak
Not much.... unless I change my mind about selling the place... I wouldn't like to by a model/brand that's widely known to be a pig in a poke.
Thanks for the suggestions,
Jak
Thanks for clarifying.
The corgi plumbers I have used in the past seem to charge extortionate amounts for the parts they supply. If I buy a boiler with a guarantee, from a DIY chain, such as Wickes, and get a corgi to install it, wouldn't this generally be a cost-saving option?
Jak
There is not legal definition it seems (the statuary instrument uses the phrase without defining it, so ultimately it would be up to the courts to define should push ever come to shove). CORGI registration is required if you do the work professionally, but not for stuff you DIY.
Have a read of Ed's excellent gas fitting FAQ:
Well if you do it right then not much. There is the requirement now that new heating installs are red taped by building control (to state the comply with the required energy saving measures). To cross all the tees etc, you would probably need to involve them in some way (someone will be along in a mo to specify how).
Maybe, maybe not. The CORGI (assuming he can be arsed to do the job at all) may just jack his labour costs to compensate for loss of profit on the boiler. You then also have the problem of what happens if it does not work - who picks up the tab to sort it out.
It would probably only make sense to buy the boiler yourself if you were also doing the fitting, If you are getting someone else to fit, then let them supply so that they also own responsibility.
That's very helpful. Thank you. Perhaps I can 'DIM' after all... but hope not to come unstuck with the requirements of the new "HIP" (home information packs).
Jak
"Jak" wrote
Don't forget the "Prat P" issue if the boiler is in a kitchen
Phil
Maybe but as I said agree it with a fitter first: some will be OK about signing off just about anything that isn't actually spewing gas or fumes into the room, some will be more conservative.
Hi Phil, Where does Part P come into it? Could you clarify?
Jak
Hi Phil, Where does Part-P come into play? Could you clarify? Why does locating a boiler in a kitchen have a bearing on the matter?
Thanks
Jak
If there were not already an adjacent fused connection unit to connect the boiler to, then that would require modification or addition to a circuit in a "special location" which is a notifiable under part pee.
Thanks. If I put a 3-pin plug on the boiler's cable and plug it into a regular socket connected to the ring main, is that satisfactory, or is something more exotic required? There is already a standard socket near the planned boiler location that I could use.
Jak
The fact that the boiler is a bit of fixed equipment means that the wiring you do for it also counts as fixed wiring, even if you do use a plug and socket.
If you look at part pee here:
That introduces an exemption if the socket you are connecting to is already there. So in this case although the boiler is fixed equipment the work is not notifiable if no new wiring is done to facilitate its connection.
Only if the socket is an unswitched one (which are uncommon but available). Also there will the cable for the thermostat/progstat (you might be able to get around that with a wireless unit).
Finally there is the matter of Part J (heat producing appliances) and Part L (energy efficiency) notifications.
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