Replacing boiler for combi. Fair price??

[Giblets]

My parents have recently had a problem with their worcester 24ri boiler where the water heats up but the heating does not. They have had a local plumber which they have always used and wouldnt use anyone else to look at the problem. The outcome being a £6500 quote to replace with a combi boiler ( remove the tank as it on its last legs and could fall through the ceiling at any time) and covert it into a wireless stat instead of a hard wired one.no radiators are being replaced.
The plumber has got the boiler working as a temporary measure so the heating and water will only come on together until they can do the work.I just wanted to check this was reasonable as my parents refuse to get quotes from elsewhere. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

 

[Jones82]

"Reasonable" varies according to location and the installation required. However I would confidently say I could beat that price in most cases. Ask around your friends and family, they might use a plumber you can recommend.

 

[Chalked]

As above. Depends where you are.
just get two other quotes and see.

 

[Scott_D]

Any more info?
Make and model of boiler?
Flue throught the roof?
Magnetic filter, system flush etc?

 

[JKG]

Why are they refusing to get other quotes? It is difficult to say whether a quote is reasonable without seeing the job. As others have said it depends on your location and get two other quotes is the only way to find out what is reasonable

 

[king of pipes]

best to get 2 other quotes just to compare seems a bit high to me . Kop

 

[Giblets]

Why are they refusing to get other quotes? It is difficult to say whether a quote is reasonable without seeing the job. As others have said it depends on your location and get two other quotes is the only way to find out what is reasonable

The problem is that they have only ever used this plumber and will agree with whatever is suggested, i will endeavour to convince them that they should at least get a second opinion. The property is near Frome Somerset.

 

[centralheatking]

My parents have recently had a problem with their worcester 24ri boiler where the water heats up but the heating does not. They have had a local plumber which they have always used and wouldnt use anyone else to look at the problem. The outcome being a £6500 quote to replace with a combi boiler ( remove the tank as it on its last legs and could fall through the ceiling at any time) and covert it into a wireless stat instead of a hard wired one.no radiators are being replaced.
The plumber has got the boiler working as a temporary measure so the heating and water will only come on together until they can do the work.I just wanted to check this was reasonable as my parents refuse to get quotes from elsewhere. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

If you are worried, get a breakdown of this quote, boiler price, rads, labour etc. and publish it on here we will know and help to re assure you. centralheatking

 

[Giblets]

Good idea i will do that.thanks

 

[WC1]

I had a similar issue with my dad lately (roofing rather than plumbing) but decided to let him overpay a bit because it was what he wanted and he has been pleased with the job and it made him happy. Had I talked him out of it then it would have been blamed on me if it went wrong. Just my 2p

 

[Stu-B]

Seems a lot of £££ to me, golden rule for larger jobs is always get 3 quotes, ideally at least one from a friend of a friend.
Let us know how you get on

 

[fixitflav]

My parents have recently had a problem with their worcester 24ri boiler where the water heats up but the heating does not. They have had a local plumber which they have always used and wouldnt use anyone else to look at the problem. The outcome being a £6500 quote to replace with a combi boiler ( remove the tank as it on its last legs and could fall through the ceiling at any time) and covert it into a wireless stat instead of a hard wired one.no radiators are being replaced.
The plumber has got the boiler working as a temporary measure so the heating and water will only come on together until they can do the work.I just wanted to check this was reasonable as my parents refuse to get quotes from elsewhere. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

Sounds like another case of an installer pushing a combi. I would get a quote for a replacement heat-only boiler, including strengthening the ceiling under the HW cylinder.

 

[centralheatking]

Sounds like another case of an installer pushing a combi. I would get a quote for a replacement heat-only boiler, including strengthening the ceiling under the HW cylinder.

When we first started knocking out Combis in the Early 80s householders were just pleased to have instant hot water and centralheating even as big as 4 beds. Since then ensuites, showers, power showers has changed the dynamic. The world has moved on but some heating outfits just keep on banging the combi drum. Demand for domestic mains water has grown exponentially so the big combi will not do its job due to supply problems. Thats it in a nutshell. Some installers are not qualified to fit
proper storage systems and are scared of not getting the job because they are more
expensive...combis are fine for 2/3 bed house flat one bathroom but thats it really centralheatking

 

[Giblets]

Sounds like another case of an installer pushing a combi. I would get a quote for a replacement heat-only boiler, including strengthening the ceiling under the HW cylinder.

I didnt want to say it , but my thoughts exactly.The boiler is ok , from what i have read possibly a sticky or seized valve(it only stopped heating the radiators after switch on after months of being unused) or controller . And to be fair the tank does look like it has a bit of a belly so replace this also.Maybe not a basket case after all. They have agreed a other quote so thats one good thing.

 

[fixitflav]

I didn't want to say it, but my thoughts exactly. The boiler is ok, from what i have read possibly a sticky or seized valve (it only stopped heating the radiators after switch on after months of being unused) or controller. And to be fair the tank does look like it has a bit of a belly so replace this also. Maybe not a basket case after all. They have agreed a other quote so that's one good thing.

It won't cost a fortune to replace the HW cylinder, and beef up its supports at the same time. I was reading elsewhere on this forum that modern HW cylinders have much better heat transfer, so reducing recovery time.