Totally New Gas Central Heating System

[John]

Not DIY just trying to stop my In Laws getting 'conned'

They had a salesman round today from Condense Heat for a quote, they asked him to come round (a leaflet). No gas to the property as yet but a main is within 20 - 25 metres of the intended boiler location.

The current system is a gravity fed solid fuel fire back boiler system. The contractor will cap off and remove all tanks in th loft, if they will go through the loft hatch, they will go through it's a big hatch!

To supply and fit:

1 x Ideal ISAR Condensensing boiler (SEDBUK Rated A 90.3% Efficient) 100,00 BTU??? 7 x Stelrad convection radiators with TRV's (even though the existing ones are perfectly serviceable, non TRV's) 2 x TRV's on 2 existing radators (Due to style/design of existing ones in bathroom and En-Suite). If they can pipe to these 2 why not the rest? 1 x Pump HEP 2 0 piping everywhere (EXCELLENT underfloor access to all areas, a bungalow with an 18 inch+ void under the floor) 1 x Honeywell CM6 7RF Controller (Radio Controlled)

The guy said it would take their "team of technicians 2 days"

The quote was for £5700 but if you give a deposit today, which they did £200 cash no cheques taken, then £4700.

This is subject to my In Laws getting Transco to get gas to the house, which he (salesman) said £470 should 'do it'. If no go on the Transco front then no deal and deposit refunded, they have this in writing.

Any thoughts anyone on the cost of this? I aint a 'gasman' but I think it is a little steep to say the least!

TIA

John

[Jim]

Did you fail to mention that the "quote" was for 3 identical homes. Was the salesman caller Dellboy.

[John]

Sorry to be a Killjoy, I usually like the 'banter' but they have got Transco coming round on Thursday to look at installing gas so not a lot of time!

John

[Martin]

That's at least £1500 up on what even BG would charge. Get at least two more quotes!

[Owain]

"John" wrote | Not DIY just trying to stop my In Laws getting 'conned' | They had a salesman round today from Condense Heat for a quote, | The quote was for £5700 but if you give a deposit today, which | they did £200 cash no cheques taken, ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Walk. Away. Now.

| then £4700. ^^^^

Run. Don't Walk.

Any 'quote' that can be dropped by nearly 20% if you "sign today" bears about as much resemblance to reality as an Enid Blyton story.

Owain

[BillR]

Its far too much! They probably can source all the bits for about 2 grand... So thats helluva hourly labour rate. Nice work if you can get it :-)

[JonH]

I'll second that ! Sounds like the saleperson may have just transferred from one of your local double glazing 'specialists' They usually quote 2x or 3x the price they can do the job for and then drop until you sign on the dotted line

I'd have thought, based on my own installation earlier in the year, that £2500 - £3000 would be more like it for a complete replacement.

Did you say they have paid the deposit ? If so, get it back... there must be some sort of cooling off (no pun intended) period.

[Ed Sirett]

The basic design is OK. The existing radiators might be very corroded so they might aswell replace. The new ones would be much smaller if they are convectors types (with fins). In all likelihood the existing could be reused.

The b*ggers are hoping to reuse the (likely) expensive rads in the bathrooms.

There should be one rad without TRV probably the hallway to give some good feedback to the thermostat.

Then there is the combi issue - flow rate might be very different to what they are used to on the existing installation.

The £200 quid is lost - alas education is expensive but chepaer than ignorance.

I would guess the 470 for Transco could be about right.

Then we have the 4700 - that's 700 for the govt. and about 4000 to the firm. Um. I would have thought about 3000-3500 (including the VAT would be about right). It's over the top - BG would probably be quoting about 5000 which they would use to legitimate their quote.

The very fact that they use such a pressure sales tactic however makes me puke. I would not have them in on principle.

The 2 days and team - this is laughable. I suppose a team of 6 might be able to do the job. In 16 hours. Also what guarantees have you got about the level of making good? I can see loose and split boards throughout.

[Ed Sirett]

You need the gas from Transco you need the heating system from somewhere else.

What's the rush - the £200 has gone. Condense Heat should not return under no circumstances.