Boiler installation - how much

[nospam]

Getting a 13 yr old gravity fed boiler system replaced by a Halstead Ace High combi boiler system.

Would this require replacing any existing radiator pipework to prevent excessive noise or leaks due to the increased pressure - currently got 8mm radiator pipes not sure about underfloor piping?

Also, while they're doing the installation I've asked for them to replace the 12 radiator valves with thermostatic ones. How long is this likely to take to do seeing as the system is bled anyway.

Also, the hot water tank is being replaced by a closet radiator (as the missus wants an airing cupboard still).

Current quote is £1800 including the boiler - does this sound reasonable or is it only me that thinks I'm being ripped off :-) ?

[Colin Wilson]

I had an entire system fitted from scratch for =A32100 IIRC in February -= =20 no plastic pushfit piping, all in copper

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[Fred]

That depends on your location, the specs of the system you want and to a lesser extent on the system you've got.

Boiler itself makes a huge difference. E.g. Worcester Bosch Greenstar combi 30HE and 40HE plus differ by close to 500 pounds. Let alone differences between manufactures. Then: condensing boilers are more expensive and usually require a bit more work to get rid of the condensation. I have had plumbers in two different places, and Sheffield plumbers cannot be beaten for price. So, location has adverse effect on quotes in my experience.

I would have thought a straighforward boiler swap for below 2000 is not bad to begin with. But why don't you get another quote. I got three and went with the cheapest.

Fred

[nospam]

Main reason of not getting another quote is that floorboards are up and things accessible due to an extension being built and he is doing the ensuite so we thought the quote should be pretty low. Asked for a quote for the new boiler to be given to us last week but he only told us the cost yesterday and seemed to be starting today even though I hadn't okayed it. He also happened to have pre-ordered the boiler which sounded a bit dodgy to us so the plumber sort of railroaded us into the choice which we're not too happy about!

I'm ringing him tomorrow to stop work and explain exactly what he's quoted for on top of the expected extension work as he seems to have explained something different to my girlfriend as he has to me and the contractor I have for the extension happens to be on holiday this week so I can't confirm anything with him!

I basically wanted some extra opinions on the installation of the new boiler.

I'm in South Wales by the way as it seems location matters!

Pete

[John Rumm]

You may need to replace the lockshield valves as well depending on their age and condition.

If all goes smothly, perhaps 10 mins / valve. All going smothly assumes that the pipework does not need moving to accomodate the new valve.

That kind of implies a resaonable amount of pipework alterations...

Boiler is something like 800 plusc, so 1K ish for fitting. Sounds like you have a couple of man days worth of work there to do at least, so not unreasonable.

Having said that, I don't think much to the choice of boiler. The efficency is pretty poor at under 80%, and the HW flowrate is nothing special for the money.

[MBQ]

Based on a similar job (replacing and moving boiler, replace HW cylinder, conversion from gravity system and TRVs) about 18 months ago I would say that's a good price.

MBQ

[Lorna]

Thanks for that.

These type of things are so annoying 'cos if you're lucky it only happens once or twice in your life. There's just nowhere to find out if you're getting value for money! Better patent that before someone comes up with a website.... :-)

Peter

[John Stumbles]

Not if the pipework's microbore. Devil's own spawn, that stuff :-(