I need a central heating engineer.. rough idea on cost?

[Bonus77]

Ive given up trying to fix it myself and now am going to call out an engineer.

Im not the most trustworthy person since I was ripped off a few years back, so was wondering how much per hour I should expect to pay.

The problem i have..

Boiler wont fire up, pilot light goes out.. tried fitting a new Thermo couple but cant get it to seat correctly.

I also think it needs a new pump fitted.

Just an idea of call out charges and hourly rates would be great.

Thanks

Bruce

 

[Diyisfun]

Why not phone an see if you can get a quote, start with BG & work from there.

 

[Gasman28]

Make / model of boiler etc would be handy.
Is the pump working / noisy / bad circulation?

 

[Bonus77]

Make / model of boiler etc would be handy.
Is the pump working / noisy / bad circulation?

Its a Potterton Flamingo CF35-50

The pump works fine, but the boiler over heats and it seems that its down to bad circulation. Its my fault really, the valves the pump connects to seemed to be jammed and its not allowing enough water flow through the pump. They pump/boiler then over heats and now I cant remove the pump from the valvles its screwed onto so I expect they will need replacing along with the pump and possibly a small section of the surrounding pipework.

Might try the BG quote route.. cheers!

 

[imroberts]

Bear in mind British Gas's fixed price repairs if it's going to be an expensive job obviously if it's a cheap or short job then you pay WELL over the odds for this service but if it's a big job it will usually be beneficial.

Otherwise you can pay anything from about £30 to £100 an hour, and some engineers will over-inflate prices for parts too. Your best bet is to ask around and go with someone that has a good reputation.

 

[Agile]

We would charge £84 + £65 + £12 + £12 to replace the pump and valves.

Thats based on the expectation that we can drain the system from the ground floor without too much of a problem and the F&E tank is fully accessible to us.

In other words its a straightforward job with no complications.

Also in our local area during the working day and excluding parking.

There is always the possibility that the system is badly sludged up and may need power flushing at about £350.

Tony

 

[gas4you]

My first hour is £60 then £40/hr onwards.

All parts at retail, all prices plus VAT.

12 months warranty on all parts supplied and fitted. (except thermocouples)

 

[oilman]

Im not the most trustworthy person .......................

Who needs customers?

 

[vinnychase]

depends what area you live in??

google a few local firms and a few may have price guides up.

firms vary between £20 and £120 per hour and dont forget to ask if your paying + VAT

 

[Bonus77]

Thanks guys really appreciate the guidance.

 

[Bonus77]

Okay, little further advice needed.

Was recommended a guy who has replaced my pump valves, pump, and the water control valve but couldnt get the boiler to light after replacing the thermo couple.

He brought in a colleague and they have decided it needs a new gas valve. He said he couldnt give me a rough idea on price until he checks how much parts are. He also wants to replace the overheat stat and do a service at the same time.

Any ideas on the going rate for all of the above.? its not so much I can check out if im being over charged, more so I can budget for the right amount of money before the work is done.

Also.. I checked out a quote on BG website, they stated £192 to repair, that wouldnt have covered all of that I dont expect, but would it cover the gas valve?

 

[izzyeckerslike]

depends what area you live in??

google a few local firms and a few may have price guides up.

firms vary between £20 and £120 per hour and dont forget to ask if your paying + VAT

How come plumbers can can earn more than someone who spent six years training to be a doctor at medical school ?

 

[namsag]

bonus77 a flamingo does not usually have an overheat stat.
Did pilot stay on even though main burner did not light if so then only the solenoid needs changing, part is roughly same price as whole valve but takes 5 mins to fit

 

[scatmanjohn]

How come plumbers can can earn more than someone who spent six years training to be a doctor at medical school ?

They don't. Do you think that whatever a plumber charges goes straight into his a r s e pocket?

Average GP earns over 100k.

Is their anyone on on here earning 100k or more?

 

[Bonus77]

bonus77 a flamingo does not usually have an overheat stat.
Did pilot stay on even though main burner did not light if so then only the solenoid needs changing, part is roughly same price as whole valve but takes 5 mins to fit

Oh, one of the guys said it would need an overheat stat too.. Odd.

No, pilot light goes out the moment you switch from the ignition setting. quoted £100 approx for the valve too, is that about right.