Just had a new boiler quote from British Gas, too much?

[Sheepshanks]

Fore Left said:

I've recently signed up for a BG maintenance contract as my previously unreliable but turns up eventually heating engineer has gone completely awol. It'll be interesting to see what they say when they come round to service my 16 year old Suprima next week then

Please let us know - I've got one of those too! I'm dreading it packing up as I doubt anything else would fit in the same space and there's really no-where else a boiler could go.

[Alucidnation]

chris watton said:

Alucidnation said:

Mr Pointy said:

Alucidnation said:

Yeah, shame on them for having overheads eh.

Most competent businesses have overheads that scale inversely with size. Why should BG have higher overheads than an independent plumber?

Seriously??

So, what you're say is the bigger the company, the more they should charge?

Do you cover your over heads and make profit?

[chris watton]

Alucidnation said:

Do you cover your over heads and make profit?

No, please answer my question, and not give another. Should larger companies/businesses charge more to their potential customers simply because they are bigger?

Overheads are relative.

[Sheepshanks]

chris watton said:

I was surprised. I didn't think 10 years was that old for a boiler.

Recently had the WB combi that was about 10yrs old changed at my daughter's house. Didn't specifically need doing at that point, but the rest of the heating system was being replaced as it was single pipe and done in steel. It seemed sensible to get the boiler changed too and everyone who looked/commented seemed to think 10 years was about it for a modern combi.

[Sheepshanks]

chris watton said:

This seems very high to me, only a decade ago, we had brand new CH and a boiler installed in our old house for less than £2k.

£2K seems remarkably cheap for a whole system, even 10yrs ago.

BG used to quote really silly prices for boiler swaps, and then they'd contract it out anyway. I read on one of the plumbing forums that they're much more competitive now.

I guess they should have an ecomomy of scale but they are going to have overheads that one or two man band wouldn't even think of. I dread to think how many managers and support staff there must be behond every fitter, and things like canteen staff to feed the HR staff, premises etc etc.

[nyt]

I think that the OP's quote is about average for B. Gas.

The big difference between B.Gas and an independent is that B.Gas expect you to carry on paying for homecare even while the new boiler is in warranty.

Worcester Bosch and Vailant both offer 10 year warranties if you shop around and find one of their top-level approved installers. No need to pay out money for maintenance.

[anonymous-user]

I had BG out for a quote 2 weeks ago. £4.3k for removing entire existing low pressure system, replacing the tank in the airing cupboard with a boiler, and all electrics.

Got an independent plumber over to quote for the same, and it came in at £2.1k, all in.

I won't be going with BG.

[Harry Flashman]

I paid for a Worcester Bosch 35 system boiler recently, straight swap for the knackered old GloWorm that was in the house when we bought it.

Boiler I bought online for just over £1k (flue kit etc cost a bit more on top), qualified WB engineer fitted it for £600 inc VAT.

We had a load of other stuff done (part of a total renovation), but that was the standalone cost for the boiler installation.

[chris watton]

Harry Flashman said:

I paid for a Worcester Bosch 35 system boiler recently, straight swap for the knackered old GloWorm that was in the house when we bought it.

Boiler I bought online for just over £1k (flue kit etc cost a bit more on top), qualified WB engineer fitted it for £600 inc VAT.

We had a load of other stuff done (part of a total renovation), but that was the standalone cost for the boiler installation.

I was anticipating around £1500/1600 all in, as the boiler is a simple little thing (not a combi) at around £850. I admit that I did not anticipate the installation cost to be over double the cost of the actual unit.

[Busterbulldog]

nyt said:

I think that the OP's quote is about average for B. Gas.

The big difference between B.Gas and an independent is that B.Gas expect you to carry on paying for homecare even while the new boiler is in warranty.

Worcester Bosch and Vailant both offer 10 year warranties if you shop around and find one of their top-level approved installers. No need to pay out money for maintenance.

Try claiming on your warranty without proof of maintainance. They have to be serviced every year and proof kept at least via the service log book.

[nyt]

Busterbulldog said:

nyt said:

I think that the OP's quote is about average for B. Gas.

The big difference between B.Gas and an independent is that B.Gas expect you to carry on paying for homecare even while the new boiler is in warranty.

Worcester Bosch and Vailant both offer 10 year warranties if you shop around and find one of their top-level approved installers. No need to pay out money for maintenance.

Try claiming on your warranty without proof of maintainance. They have to be serviced every year and proof kept at least via the service log book.

True but the service is £50 a year. A lot less than homecare

[Simpo Two]

chris watton said:

Alucidnation said:

Do you cover your over heads and make profit?

No, please answer my question, and not give another. Should larger companies/businesses charge more to their potential customers simply because they are bigger?

Overheads are relative.

BG also have the advantage of a small side business - selling a bit of gas for a few quid. They could probably fit boilers for free if they wanted to and still do jolly well. No, BG charge a premium because some people think 'Ooh BG that's safe isnt it' and break open the china cockerel.

[Alucidnation]

So, being the expert that you are, do you think 2K for a replacement boiler is a premium?

I would say that is average, depending on the system and type etc.

And for BG, its very reasonble.

[Harry Flashman]

Busterbulldog said:

nyt said:

I think that the OP's quote is about average for B. Gas.

The big difference between B.Gas and an independent is that B.Gas expect you to carry on paying for homecare even while the new boiler is in warranty.

Worcester Bosch and Vailant both offer 10 year warranties if you shop around and find one of their top-level approved installers. No need to pay out money for maintenance.

Try claiming on your warranty without proof of maintainance. They have to be serviced every year and proof kept at least via the service log book.

This.

[chris watton]

Alucidnation said:

So, being the expert that you are, do you think 2K for a replacement boiler is a premium?

I would say that is average, depending on the system and type etc.

And for BG, its very reasonble.

Are you in any way employed by BG?

[Alucidnation]

Not a fking chance.

[ikarl]

Most of the BG engineers will do 'homers' - stop any one of them you see at he local greggs etc and get a 'private' quote

It will be much cheaper

[Alucidnation]

How do they notify a 'homer' then?

[bernhund]

Simpo Two said:

chris watton said:

Alucidnation said:

Do you cover your over heads and make profit?

No, please answer my question, and not give another. Should larger companies/businesses charge more to their potential customers simply because they are bigger?

Overheads are relative.

BG also have the advantage of a small side business - selling a bit of gas for a few quid. They could probably fit boilers for free if they wanted to and still do jolly well. No, BG charge a premium because some people think 'Ooh BG that's safe isnt it' and break open the china cockerel.

This, especially the elderly who are naive enough to trust them. My mother in law has the maintenance contract with BG & recently called them because she only gets 3in of hot water in the bath before it runs cold. She has a 240L hot water store & they've told her it will be scaled up & needs replacing (bearing in mind I've already said on here they said she needs a new boiler). I had a quick look last week & discovered the 3 port valve motor is too hot to touch. It's highly likely to be seized.

[Nickyboy]

I've no problem with their engineers, they've replaced many parts of my boiler over the years. What i can't stand is their business plan of only ordering parts of their central supplier. Got a problem? Make an appointment, wait around most of the day because they're never on time, spend 2 hours playing boiler to find fault. Engineer then orders part from central supplier, you now have to make another appointment and take another day off and wait for for them to come back and fit said part. Oh yeah and if this supplier doesn't stock your part then they'll condemn your boiler despite the fact you might be able to get the part from the local plumbers merchants.

They wanted over £4k to replace mine, local independant quoted £1600