New Boiler Quote - Sanity check on pricing
Discussion
Currently with limited central heating, and hot water only via immersion. Wife is getting panicky as is supposed to be proper cold next week.
House likely to be rented out soon for a couple of years, so want something reliable to replace the current Potterton - that was completely rehauled 3 years ago, and is now failing again. Don't want to throw good money at an old cheap boiler, so looking to replace.
Had a recommendation for a guy who came out today, and can do quickly.
Breakdown as follows:-
Vailliant 418 boiler and flue - £860
Chemicals for power flush - £100
Labour for boiler install - £400
Labour for power flush £400
Now I am not sure what the power flush entails, I understand it to be a complete drain and flush of the entire system. Guy stated if the boiler fails within the warranty, first thing boiler company will do is a fluids check, and if flush has not been done could claim this is what caused it. Does seem logical to me, and house has never been flushed before (approx 10 year old house).
I am sure the flush will involve a lot of standing around, so is this something that can be done alongside the boiler install? I don't like paying for standing around/fag breaks and coffee breaks!
Am I being done up like a kipper? Or does this all sound reasonable?
I have no issue paying a fair trade price, and a man has to earn his money for labour. I just want to ensure the prices quoted are aligned with reality - and I have no experience of what this should be.
In case it is relevant for regional price differences - is in Kent.
House likely to be rented out soon for a couple of years, so want something reliable to replace the current Potterton - that was completely rehauled 3 years ago, and is now failing again. Don't want to throw good money at an old cheap boiler, so looking to replace.
Had a recommendation for a guy who came out today, and can do quickly.
Breakdown as follows:-
Vailliant 418 boiler and flue - £860
Chemicals for power flush - £100
Labour for boiler install - £400
Labour for power flush £400
Now I am not sure what the power flush entails, I understand it to be a complete drain and flush of the entire system. Guy stated if the boiler fails within the warranty, first thing boiler company will do is a fluids check, and if flush has not been done could claim this is what caused it. Does seem logical to me, and house has never been flushed before (approx 10 year old house).
I am sure the flush will involve a lot of standing around, so is this something that can be done alongside the boiler install? I don't like paying for standing around/fag breaks and coffee breaks!
Am I being done up like a kipper? Or does this all sound reasonable?
I have no issue paying a fair trade price, and a man has to earn his money for labour. I just want to ensure the prices quoted are aligned with reality - and I have no experience of what this should be.
In case it is relevant for regional price differences - is in Kent.
Muncher said:
The powerflush price is well on the high side imho.
Chemicals will not cost anything like £100. A powerflush is a time consuming but relatively unskilled task and should take less than a day. You can hire the machine and if you know one end of a spanner from another you can do it yourself. The machines can be hired for about £80 for the day. The chemicals for the flush and subsequent inhibitor shouldn't cost more than £40.A pro job shouldn't really cost more than £300 all in.
That said though, the boiler install cost is very competitive.
Do the prices include VAT?
Anyone can buy that boiler for £100 less, but the fitting charge is low - although it's a very straightforward job to replace a normal boiler with another one, it's not like swapping a conventional boiler for a combi.
£350 (inc chemicals) seems to be reagarded as a fair price for powerflushing.
How long is he saying the whole job will take? I bet he'll do it in a day.
Anyone can buy that boiler for £100 less, but the fitting charge is low - although it's a very straightforward job to replace a normal boiler with another one, it's not like swapping a conventional boiler for a combi.
£350 (inc chemicals) seems to be reagarded as a fair price for powerflushing.
How long is he saying the whole job will take? I bet he'll do it in a day.
Thanks for the information - sounds like it could be swings and roundabouts on the costs - up on the flush, and down on the boiler install. To give an idea of size (if relevant) is a 4 bed detached house with 12 radiators + heated rails in 2 bathrooms.
Should have added from what I understand it will be 2 people on site for the day. With regards to the Valve replacement, we have a couple of TRV's that are dodgy, and he has said when doing the flush he will test them, and replace any that are not working.
Not sure I understand the price of the replacement radiator relevance. Was that suggesting is as cheap to purchase and install new rads, as it is to perform the flush?
Can anyone comment on if the flush is actually necessary? Should a flush take place every 10 years - is it good maintenance practice?
Should have added from what I understand it will be 2 people on site for the day. With regards to the Valve replacement, we have a couple of TRV's that are dodgy, and he has said when doing the flush he will test them, and replace any that are not working.
Not sure I understand the price of the replacement radiator relevance. Was that suggesting is as cheap to purchase and install new rads, as it is to perform the flush?
Can anyone comment on if the flush is actually necessary? Should a flush take place every 10 years - is it good maintenance practice?
herbialfa said:
Sorry to steal your thunder chap!
I had a valliant combi changed last winter to a Worcester with a flush and was charged £1700 for 2 men for the day. All rads are already fitted with TRVs. Was I being flushed?
No problem - different boiler. £60 cheaper that I am being quoted!I had a valliant combi changed last winter to a Worcester with a flush and was charged £1700 for 2 men for the day. All rads are already fitted with TRVs. Was I being flushed?
As noted above by someone I am going from a same "open Valve" boiler to another "open valve" boiler, rather than changing to a different type (really showing my lack of knowledge now!).
Fats25 said:
Thanks for the information - sounds like it could be swings and roundabouts on the costs - up on the flush, and down on the boiler install. To give an idea of size (if relevant) is a 4 bed detached house with 12 radiators + heated rails in 2 bathrooms.
Should have added from what I understand it will be 2 people on site for the day. With regards to the Valve replacement, we have a couple of TRV's that are dodgy, and he has said when doing the flush he will test them, and replace any that are not working.
Not sure I understand the price of the replacement radiator relevance. Was that suggesting is as cheap to purchase and install new rads, as it is to perform the flush?
Can anyone comment on if the flush is actually necessary? Should a flush take place every 10 years - is it good maintenance practice?
Yes powerflush is good houskeeping, although there is a powerflush and a powerflush, all valves should be changed, and the full system powerflushed, not just individual rads.Should have added from what I understand it will be 2 people on site for the day. With regards to the Valve replacement, we have a couple of TRV's that are dodgy, and he has said when doing the flush he will test them, and replace any that are not working.
Not sure I understand the price of the replacement radiator relevance. Was that suggesting is as cheap to purchase and install new rads, as it is to perform the flush?
Can anyone comment on if the flush is actually necessary? Should a flush take place every 10 years - is it good maintenance practice?
Wings said:
Yes powerflush is good houskeeping, although there is a powerflush and a powerflush, all valves should be changed, and the full system powerflushed, not just individual rads.
My understanding is it is the entire system that is due to be flushed, rather than each rad. However the plan was certainly not to replace all of the valves, only those that are faulty/failing.Fats25 said:
My understanding is it is the entire system that is due to be flushed, rather than each rad. However the plan was certainly not to replace all of the valves, only those that are faulty/failing.
depends on last powerflush, and how old rads/valves are, with the grit sludge in the systems then a ll valves should be replaced, especially thermostatit valves.Wings said:
Fats25 said:
My understanding is it is the entire system that is due to be flushed, rather than each rad. However the plan was certainly not to replace all of the valves, only those that are faulty/failing.
depends on last powerflush, and how old rads/valves are, with the grit sludge in the systems then a ll valves should be replaced, especially thermostatit valves.Is the boiler change effectively a like-for-like?
If it is then the installation price is probably spot on for what it will actually take time wise and cheap for market value to have the work done if that makes sense.
I had mine changed this week, 2 men, 3/4 of a day. I paid £400 - but I know the contractor and knew he wasnt ripping me off. That is cheap if its someone you are not friendly with in my opinion even though the work isnt 'worth' any more.
Powerflush seems a tad expensive but again, swings and roundabouts, British Gas often quote a grand or more for a boiler swap.
If it is then the installation price is probably spot on for what it will actually take time wise and cheap for market value to have the work done if that makes sense.
I had mine changed this week, 2 men, 3/4 of a day. I paid £400 - but I know the contractor and knew he wasnt ripping me off. That is cheap if its someone you are not friendly with in my opinion even though the work isnt 'worth' any more.
Powerflush seems a tad expensive but again, swings and roundabouts, British Gas often quote a grand or more for a boiler swap.
I paid 1.5k to go from a standard boiler and hot water tank, to combi boiler 5 years back. This included removing the old water tank, boiler in the same place, Baxi something or other. Also replaced some radiators that had seen better days and fitted thermostat valves. Anyway, all done in a day and zero problems.
In a rental property we paid £800 for a replacement combi-boiler, but this was mates rates.
In a rental property we paid £800 for a replacement combi-boiler, but this was mates rates.
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