While getting quotes for the installation of a new combi/condenser boiler, I've been amazed at the different figures I've been quoted. British gas the highest, £3600, right down to a dodgy geezer (although corgi registered) who offered to do it for £2000 (cash in hand), but with a boiler make I'd never heard of (Ariston). Found boiler on Internet and it's retail price(not trade price) including timer and flu, and inc of vat was £500.
Anyway, I would estimate that the installation of a new combi/condenser onto an existing central heating system should take a maximum of 1 person, 2 days. I have also informed those quoting that I would clear away all old pipework, brick up and make good any old flu holes, remove and dispose all of feeder/header tanks and cylinders, and also make sure that they have full access to the necessary pipework by removing any floorboards, cupboards, panelling etc. (purely so I can save a little money).
Now if my figures are correct, cost of boiler, timer, flue, 6 good quality therm rad valves, copper pipe at retail, after quick search on internet comes to £1100 (again this price is not trade price, which should be considerably cheaper). That means, that with the cheapest quote, I'll be paying £1000 for installation, for the maximum of 2 days work, where I'll be doing all of the donkey work.
Now this seems, excessively high, or am I missing something. I fully understand that when quoting for jobs, plumbers need to work on the basis that they're only working for 40 weeks of the year, due to lean times, holidays and sickness. They also have wear and tear on tools and such, and also have to pay their own contributions/pensions, etc. But taking all those factors into account, is it just a case of supply and demand, and plumbers charge as much as they want, when demand is high? Or am I overlooking something. Basically is £1000 for the installation of a new boiler the norm?
Jon