New Gas Boiler- is using British Gas a good idea?

[Converse2020]

My MIL lives on her own and her gas boiler (Vaillant) has been playing up. We’ve had a new gas valve fitted recently when the error first appeared and it’s run fine for a few months but now have F28 error message back and local company that has looked after it says these can be tricky to fix.

We’re thinking of cutting our losses and getting her a new boiler. We used British Gas Did virtual quote where they used video call to eyeball everything for accuracy and their quote came out at approx £4k. They may be able to fit new boiler next week which is a plus as old one is not firing.

We have also got the local plumbing firm back on Tuesday to see if they can diagnose and fix the fault and if not will also get them to quote for a new boiler on like for like basis to BG to compare.


Budget not the primary concern but I have no idea if £4k is in the right sort of ballpark price wise for fitting a new boiler in same location as old.

So my question to PH is does that seem about right. The BG quote is itemised so I could compare the price for new Vaillant boiler but that was circa £1500 so it’s the fitting and extras that make up nearly £3k that adds up.

I would also appreciate any feedback on using BG to do the job (good or bad).

Thanks

Thanks

[rossub]

Historically they’ve always been the most expensive option.

[dudleybloke]

It sounds very expensive for a direct replacement.

[CoolHands]

I would say no by default

[sherman]

A direct replacement combi boiler will be about £2500/£3000 from a local company.
BG are the most expensive.
BG gas is like getting your car fixed at the main dealer.

[K87]

BG have a reputation for increasing their quote when they arrive on site, 'they suggest that you need X and Y, the fitters are on a bonus basis for additional works. This info comes from an ex fitter and the experience of a near neighbor, also reported on here.

The amount you have been quoted looks high, it is your money and some people prefer to pay more to be with a big company. I went for a one man band and paid £2100 for an Ideal Vogue boiler in a large house and have been very pleased.

[Wacky Racer]

Use a local long established trusted company.

Get three quotes.

[Ham_and_Jam]

BOXT get very good reviews.

They charge £2.5 - £3k for a replacement combi boiler with fitting usually within a few days.

Definitely worth getting a quote to compare.

https://www.boxt.co.uk/

[Red9zero]

Avoid BG like the plague. They are expensive to start with and if you need any follow up care afterwards, God help you, because BG won't. Missed/cancelled appointments are the norm, as is poor service. Complaints are ignored or blamed on some extraneous circumstances. Last I heard, their engineers were on a work to rule strike, or that may have been another excuse. Four times we have been left with no heat and/or hot water for over a week, even though we are supposedly a priority. One particular occasion we were told to hire a local plumber and they would reimburse us. The best thing I ever did was stop using them.

Edited by Red9zero on Saturday 30th December 21:02

[Sheepshanks]

How old is the boiler, and is it a condensing one?

Might be worth looking at getting a Vaillant fixed price repair.

[119]

I wouldn’t have British Gas on the drive, let alone in the house.

Biggest bunch of incompetents on the planet.

[Pedro25]

I’d go with a trusted local firm all the time, I use one and he’s been brilliant. He’s replaced 2 boilers for me in different houses, can always reach him when needed and he always turns up. Good prices replaced my boiler in April this year same location for £2,300. If you can find a good local expert it’s money well spent.

[993BPT]

Ham_and_Jam said:

BOXT get very good reviews.

They charge £2.5 - £3k for a replacement combi boiler with fitting usually within a few days.

Definitely worth getting a quote to compare.

https://www.boxt.co.uk/

Have used BOXT and would recommend. They offer a 10 year warranty and a choice of manufacturer.

[diver944]

I had a new Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30kw fitted 18 months ago by BOXT and I was very impressed with the service. Needed a new flue and came with a system flush and additive for £2650 all in with a 10 year guarantee.

Quoting system was very straight forward, had to send about 6 pics of current boiler and flue arrangement then a real human called me back and double checked everything. Installer turned up on time and fitted it in half a day then cleaned up after him. Very happy

[Countdown]

BG are very expensive (the BG salesman didnt even bother visiting my house and quoted me £5k over the phone. When i said that was really pricy compared to others his words were "What do you expect? We're British Gas". I thanked him for his honesty

The other quotes I got were IRO £2,000 - £2,500 (WB Greenstar 24CDi). in the end I managed to get one fitted for £1,200 "mates rates".

[Sciurus]

Converse2020 said:

My MIL lives on her own and her gas boiler (Vaillant) has been playing up. We’ve had a new gas valve fitted recently when the error first appeared and it’s run fine for a few months but now have F28 error message back and local company that has looked after it says these can be tricky to fix.

We’re thinking of cutting our losses and getting her a new boiler. We used British Gas Did virtual quote where they used video call to eyeball everything for accuracy and their quote came out at approx £4k. They may be able to fit new boiler next week which is a plus as old one is not firing.

We have also got the local plumbing firm back on Tuesday to see if they can diagnose and fix the fault and if not will also get them to quote for a new boiler on like for like basis to BG to compare.


Budget not the primary concern but I have no idea if £4k is in the right sort of ballpark price wise for fitting a new boiler in same location as old.

So my question to PH is does that seem about right. The BG quote is itemised so I could compare the price for new Vaillant boiler but that was circa £1500 so it’s the fitting and extras that make up nearly £3k that adds up.

I would also appreciate any feedback on using BG to do the job (good or bad).

Thanks

Thanks

I've just had a new boiler fitted two weeks ago - £3,102 for the below.

For removal of old heat only ideal boiler and supply and fit of:
Vaillant Ecotec + 418 HO 18kw Boiler
Vaillant flue
Vaillant boiler protection kit
All labour for gas engineers and electrician
All associated pipe, fittings, valves

I know the plumber and trust them so was happy to go with that quote. They did a good job too - they're not cheap but they did show up when they say they'll show up and they've never let me down.

[wombleh]

We took out the BG boiler cover, called them out once, they split dirty water over the carpet, accused me of only taking out cover because I knew it was going to break (we'd had the cover about 6 months at that point), said they won't guarantee to fix the boiler due to it's age, that it needed replacing but would be happy to quote to do that, which they eventually did asking for £4500.

Didn't take them up on it, cancelled their cover and have never dealt with them since. The boiler worked fine for another 12 years and replacement cost about £1500 via a local plumber.

[eskidavies]

F28 lack of gas/ ignition problems, is it worth getting last guy who fixed to check working pressure at meter , could be incoming gas supply issues ,i,e low pressure,

[r3g]

Red9zero said:

Avoid BG like the plague. They are expensive to start with and if you need any follow up care afterwards, God help you, because BG won't. Missed/cancelled appointments are the norm, as is poor service. Complaints are ignored or blamed on some extraneous circumstances. Last I heard, their engineers were on a work to rule strike, or that may have been another excuse. Four times we have been left with heat and/or hot water for over a week, even though we are supposedly a priority. One particular occasion we were told to hire a local plumber and they would reimburse us. The best thing I ever did was stop using them.

This ^. Total nightmare of a company who won't do st once they have your money. Just trying to get a human the answer the service number if you have a problem is an all-day job. You'll be on hold for hours, then maybe answered if you're lucky, but then 2 seconds later cut off. Use anyone BUT British Gas ffs !

[Simpo Two]

It's amazing how BG get away with it.

It's like paying £40,000 for a Morris Marina because it's says 'British Leyland' on the back.