Should I stop digging and replace Keston?

[PAWinLondon]

I've had a Keston C40 boiler for 5 years. I had no problems with it (despite not having regular maintenance) until I had a kitchen extension done.

The builder had to extend the flues so that the exhaust flue is now 9.8m long but has a large number of 45/90 degree corners taking the length to ~18m equivalent. The input flue is only apprx 2m shorter.

After the building work we noticed a gurgling sound. The builder wasn't too interested, so we asked a Keston specialist for advice. They signed us up to a maintenance contract and replaced a weeping valve which was dripping. They commented on the incorrect fluework and I asked them to quote for remediation work - on the assumption that my builder was liable.

After a 3 month wait they quoted £2000+ to replace/re-route the flues (excluding access the pipework or making good).

About the same time (actually 3 days after the Keston engineer had vsisited to have another look) the weeping valve failed again. A different engineer from the same organisation attended and now recommended a power flush and a new heat exchanger. The quote was £3200.

Now I may live in central London, but I'm not a banker (or a doctor) and I don't cheat on my taxes, but this company thinks I should pay £5000+ to repair a Keston and install flues.

Questions:
(a) Am I being ripped off?
(b) Should I fix the Keston or replace it?

Thanks for any advice (and home truths)

 

[chris watkins]

How R U being ripped off, you have not payed for any thing yet ?? As far as what work / replacement is required, well that is a different matter!! one which will be difficult to answer without a lot more information.
Why don't you get a couple of other company's to come & have a look, they can then quote on anything required, which you can then decide or decline to have none.
Called market forces, I believe & I am also not a banker. You did want home truths.

 

[mountainman]

How R U being ripped off, you have not payed for any thing yet ?? As far as what work / replacement is required, well that is a different matter!! one which will be difficult to answer without a lot more information.
Why don't you get a couple of other company's to come & have a look, they can then quote on anything required, which you can then decide or decline to have none.
Called market forces, I believe & I am also not a banker. You did want home truths.

Had a bad day Chris? Lol.

 

[quality]

I am pretty sure if you get an independant opinion your view may change, may I ask why let you let a builder alter the flue ?

 

[chris watkins]

Hi Mountainman did it show then ? (& I tried so hard not to let it) Yes, sorry PAWinLondon but it sounds like its another bloody ripoff plumbers thread when we don't know the details, Have you any idea how much it costs to get & maintain Gas Safe Registration just for a start?

 

[mountainman]

My reputation for sensitivity is legend on this forum Chris, of course I noticed.

 

[chris watkins]

thank you for caring, darling !!!!

 

[SimonG]

I'm with Chris and Quality, builder shouldn't have done the work, it was a job for a gsr engineer. Get 2 or 3 independants to have a look, it's like car servicing, main dealers - main dealer prices.

As for liability, your first port of call is to inform the builder in writing of the incorrect work and give him an opportunity to repair using a gsr engineer. imho.