HMO Refurbish with 5 bathrooms

[lukeL81]

Hi

I am new to this forum so forgive me if I add this to the wrong place.

I have purchased a 2 storeys property which will be converted to an HMO of 6 Bedrooms and 5 bathrooms(3 on the ground floor and 2 on the first floor).

The property is derelict now so we will need to rip everything out and redo most of the pipework(there is only one bathroom for the time being).

The company we contracted to do the works advised they would like to use one of these combi boilers with an integrated water tank like the one below

VIESSMANN VITODENS 111-W ZK06239 GAS/LPG COMBI STORAGE BOILER​

Is this a good solution? if not I am assuming a system boiler with a water cylinder would be the best option?

I have not asked for any other information as I am also a total noob about these matters(although learning more by the day), but if there is anything else I should watch out for and you'd be so kind as to point that out I would thank you in advance.

Best

 

[fowlerboi]

I would 100% be looking for an architect to spec the plumbing for a build like that unless you've got a really good plumber involved.

Water pressure and flow rates are going to be really important if you're going mains. Highly likely you could have all 5 bathrooms running at once during rush hour all using around 18l/min. You're into the realms of accumulators and possibly boosters depending on pressure and at least 300L of hot water stored, 11L/min hot water showering per shower doesn't last long and will only take 1 person to have a 20 minute shower to ruin it for everyone else. Plus pipe sizing will be important as all running at once will easily exceed standard unvented cylinders you'll need a 28mm cylinder and components

These are the factors I would consider just doing someones house let alone a multi occupancy, tension in the house will likely be higher and they won't be as accepting of running out of hot water or lack of pressure to have a shower because its been used by others

 

[SimonG]

Definitely need a mechanical consultant, site visit to check flow rate and pressures, may need increase in size for incoming water pipe. Storage combi ain't doing 5 bathrooms in a hmo.

 

[IND_Nick]

We fit out and maintain quite a few HMO's in central Manchester, often for students/young professionals. Most are 6 plus bedrooms all ensuite. As said above we fit to a specification detailed by a local consultant firm, but all the systems include pump and breaker tanks for supply, unvented cylinders( sometimes 2 in series) and generally a hot water priority setup with heating zones etc. It isn't cheap to start up/setup but afterwards it's easy to maintain and complaint free as loads of hot water on demand for tenants.

 

[lukeL81]

I would 100% be looking for an architect to spec the plumbing for a build like that unless you've got a really good plumber involved.

Water pressure and flow rates are going to be really important if you're going mains. Highly likely you could have all 5 bathrooms running at once during rush hour all using around 18l/min. You're into the realms of accumulators and possibly boosters depending on pressure and at least 300L of hot water stored, 11L/min hot water showering per shower doesn't last long and will only take 1 person to have a 20 minute shower to ruin it for everyone else. Plus pipe sizing will be important as all running at once will easily exceed standard unvented cylinders you'll need a 28mm cylinder and components

These are the factors I would consider just doing someones house let alone a multi occupancy, tension in the house will likely be higher and they won't be as accepting of running out of hot water or lack of pressure to have a shower because its been used by others

That's excellent information; thank you very much, @fowlerboi.

Definitely need a mechanical consultant, site visit to check flow rate and pressures, may need increase in size for incoming water pipe. Storage combi ain't doing 5 bathrooms in a hmo.

Thanks a lot for your suggestion @SimonG

We fit out and maintain quite a few HMO's in central Manchester, often for students/young professionals. Most are 6 plus bedrooms all ensuite. As said above we fit to a specification detailed by a local consultant firm, but all the systems include pump and breaker tanks for supply, unvented cylinders( sometimes 2 in series) and generally a hot water priority setup with heating zones etc. It isn't cheap to start up/setup but afterwards it's easy to maintain and complaint free as loads of hot water on demand for tenants.

Great info @IND_Nick how much do you think this would cost me? A rough estimate would be excellent (if you can, obviously) as at this point I might need to look for a local consultant(the house is in the greater Manchester area) firm as you are advising as I do not feel confident with the initial contractor's advice.

Best

 

[IND_Nick]

That's excellent information; thank you very much, @fowlerboi.


Thanks a lot for your suggestion @SimonG



Great info @IND_Nick how much do you think this would cost me? A rough estimate would be excellent (if you can, obviously) as at this point I might need to look for a local consultant(the house is in the greater Manchester area) firm as you are advising as I do not feel confident with the initial contractor's advice.

Best

Evening,

Cost wise it is difficult to say, as a lot depends on what's existing and what spec it needs to meet. Generally though you can be looking at anywhere from £8k to £15k depending on sizes. Hope that helps a little.

 

[lukeL81]

Evening,

Cost wise it is difficult to say, as a lot depends on what's existing and what spec it needs to meet. Generally though you can be looking at anywhere from £8k to £15k depending on sizes. Hope that helps a little.

That helps a lot Nick, many thanks/to you and all again for the kind support!!