New combi Boiler installation

[adam35]

Hi I have an old Vokera Flowmatic which Bgas say needs to be changed and Npower will not repair it.
The boiler comes on and sometimes cuts out.

BGas came to repair it as i have homecare 400. They did the first inspection and said i need to change it although it was working.

I have tenants who refuse to have it repaired.. Bgas say parts are not available and its had its day.....

So i need to change it.....i need something which will not breakdown and one that has excellent emergency cover as i need that to save on homecare 400(20x12=240 quid/yr). Is there a boiler company that will cover the boiler and come and fix say next day.....as my tenants can be demanding....

I need a boiler which has good aftersales and support as i won't be using npower/bgas to cover the call outs.... I will still need to cover plumbing/drains.

The installation will involve boiler swap and changing the copper pipes leading to the RADS as they are pencil thin type.

The other pipes are 22. and 15mm. Some Rads only have one pipe on one side whereas others have one on each side.

How much should labour be to Change Boiler and change copper pipes to 15mm leading to RADs(SEVEN RADS).

Should i change the pencil thin pipes so i can swap RADS later when i move into house myself? Or would it be best changing everything now, or does the thin pipes make no diff would be best left in with boiler change only.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[transam]

Do not think any boiler manu can guarantee ti fix a boiler the same day ect , might state it verbally but I doubt you would get it in writing ???

Many on here rate worscetor bosch's after sale's service eg warranty call out ? but than again trying to keep some tenant's happy is an up hill struggle , boiler's pick the best of a bad bunch& hope you get it right
Combi's are generally not as reliable as heat only boiler's , if you have tenant's & a combi my advice is to alway's have an electric shower , at least they have something when the combi go's pear shaped

 

[onlyfitidealboilers]

ha ha ha ha. come off it, a boiler that doesn't break

how can we give you a price over the net,

labour to fit boiler only £800 re pipe the house £1000.

plus parts & boiler

 

[adam35]

Know what your saying....
what i meant to say was " a boiler which is reasonably reliable"

I have always had homeserve or BGas cover on my boilers on 20/mth on each property. The boilers i have are 2xIdeal std, ariston, Vokera flowmatic.

They seem to be unreliable...thats why i pay around £80/month plus on insurance. Thats a new boiler each year.

So for this property i need 5 yr cover to save on call outs....Bgas come out next day....Do boiler companies have emergency helpline call outs say weekends and evenings for us LANDLORDS who get a call after coming home from work from tenant giving us grief the hot water is gone...repair or else!

I need to replace the CH but in stages......I will be moving back in 2-3yrs down the line and will then replace the radiators. Should i need to replace the thin piping to the Rads or do i need a powerflush instead.

A gas safe eng said the smaller pipes to RADS just means your RADS will take a little longer to warm up...but 10-15 mins diff.

The extra cost if say is £1000 to replace copper pipes to Rads then i may as well leave the piping and just change the boiler.

The only thing is when i come to change RADS i will need to change piping anyway...so is it not better to change now with boiler swap.

Someone on this forum said to just change boiler its around 500-600 quid labour plus cost of boiler and copper.

To change piping to 7 RADS maybe just the pipes leading to RAD rather than whole house.....

Any thoughts?
Adam

 

[Tibbot]

i need something which will not breakdown and one that has excellent emergency cover as i need that to save on homecare 400(20x12=240 quid/yr). Is there a boiler company that will cover the boiler and come and fix say next day.....as my tenants can be demanding....

I need a boiler which has good aftersales and support as i won't be using npower/bgas to cover the call outs

You've misunderstood the role of the manufacturer. Their only obligation is to fulfill the terms of the warranty offered, if they can fix manufacturing faults next day then that's a plus not an entitlement. They're not an emergency service and with any goods a maker will not provide this cover. Should this be the level of care you require you'll have to pay separately for it or choose an installer (ie BG) who may include it in the contract (which will be factored into their costs).

 

[Fluffster]

Someone on this forum said to just change boiler its around 500-600 quid labour plus cost of boiler and copper.

The above is the reason why you need an RGI to attend to provide a quote as every install is different.

Pete

 

[Alfredo]

In these situations you need a good reliable local company. How do you find one?

1) Ask neighbours/friends who they use and why
2) Ask plumber merchants for two or three names of people they rate as OK. They will give you the names of their best customers/people they like to support.

You can't guarantee same day service. Its beyond what you can promise unless you are on a BG contract or similar. All you can promise is to react promptly to any faults, and as others say..install electric showers as back up.

As to pricing I'm not even going to start. Just get three quotes from people who have carried out a system inspection.

Alfredo

 

[bellairaphon]

i have a van full off flowmatic parts blackpool is a abit of a trek tho!!

Nath

 

[adam35]

i have a van full off flowmatic parts blackpool is a abit of a trek tho!!

Nath

Bradford is not a million miles...Just realised it stated blackpool...i wish...seaside all year round.....

 

[adam35]

In these situations you need a good reliable local company. How do you find one?

1) Ask neighbours/friends who they use and why
2) Ask plumber merchants for two or three names of people they rate as OK. They will give you the names of their best customers/people they like to support.

You can't guarantee same day service. Its beyond what you can promise unless you are on a BG contract or similar. All you can promise is to react promptly to any faults, and as others say..install electric showers as back up.

As to pricing I'm not even going to start. Just get three quotes from people who have carried out a system inspection.

Alfredo

Thanks alfredo that sounds like good advice

I did invite BGas for a quote as they have recently dropped their labour charges. They said 2200(Boiler plus labour for boiler swap) but then said they could do it no less than 3000. They would leave the old piping in but would change pipes on Rad to 2 pipes one into rad and another going out. They said that boiler swap in itself was couldn't be done....the price would incl power flush etc. The boiler would have been Valliant with 2 yrs warranty by Bgas.
I would have accepted but for 3000 i'm still left with old piping with just a new boiler.

I could get the boiler swap for around (700/800 bolier) and labour not sure but assuming it would be around 500-700.

Any extra pipe work would be additional..depends on how many thin pipes need changing.

 

[PEDANTICVINDICTIVEMAN]

All boilers are crraap and so are the manufacturers, stick some names in a hat and pull one out, FFS how can anyone give a price on here without seeing the job, my price is the same as the Bloody sunday report, that's "obviously" a fair price.

 

[Fluffster]

What is the point of going with a BG warranty on a Vaillant boiler when the manufacturer provides 2 years parts and labour.

Who would you prefer to attend a breakdown, a specialist engineer trained on that particular boiler or BG engineer jack of all and master of none reading off a pdf file and throwing as many parts at it so the boiler is like one just off the production line?

Pete

 

[ChrisR]

All the above is true - but also manage your tenants' expectations!
They're renting a flat or whatever, not a hotel suite. They get the same service that someone in a house would get, except that you're doing the arranging for them.
Also:
Flowmatics will work on a totally inadequate gas supply. Standards have changed. Expect to have to have it replaced, all the way back to the meter. That could cost a great deal.

 

[adam35]

All the above is true - but also manage your tenants' expectations!
They're renting a flat or whatever, not a hotel suite. They get the same service that someone in a house would get, except that you're doing the arranging for them.
Also:
Flowmatics will work on a totally inadequate gas supply. Standards have changed. Expect to have to have it replaced, all the way back to the meter. That could cost a great deal.

Hi Chris,
thx for advice.
The Bgas eng did say that existing gas pipes to boiler were fine and bonded.
If the Valliant came with a 5yr warranty that would be better for me.
Think the tennants are not too bothered just yet but during winter i would have got grief...besides they only live next door.

I trying to get a RGI to give me a quote.....they don't seem to be turning up though...must be doing really well during summer.

The other option is warm front as one occupant is on benefits...but she seems not very co-operative to apply....

They expect a new bioler but won't apply for grant even though they're eligibe.

 

[ianniann]

I trying to get a RGI to give me a quote.....they don't seem to be turning up though...must be doing really well during summer.

They're all in Marbella