British Gas quote query

[drewfor]

My mother lives in a 4-bed semi (8 radiators total), has a 40-year old system, including a back-boiler, which apparently now needs replacing. British Gas have quoted an overall price of just over £5,000. Based on the info above, can anyone tell me if this is a reasonable quote - or is more info required?

Many thanks.

 

[Ray Stafford]

Much more info would be required to give a price (not possible over the internet) but as a rule of thumb, British Gas will always be significantly more expensive than a local, independent contractor.

Get a couple of quotes from local independent installers, preferably by word of mouth referral, or post in the "I need a plumber or heating engineer" section of this forum.

When I say installer - I mean a proper plumbing and heating firm, NOT one that also advertises landscape gardening, block paving, extensions, painting & decorating etc.

 

[TBServices]

Basic rule of thumb with BG quotes is, half the quote and you're closer to the mark.

Get an independent GSI to quote, it'll be half the price and completed to a better standard most probably.

 

[Destroyer2813]

Bg will always be on the high side what reasons have they given for replacing it and with what system, if its a Worcester you will get a better warranty if you go to a Worcester recommend installer. All you would get with Bg is 1 year and then you will be paying your 2/3/4 star cover to keep any repairs in check

 

[Roger Welton]

Good advice from every one, get a local gas safe registered chap in and save thousands, for probably a better service.

 

[TBServices]

The warranty issue is a very valid point. If anyone else installers a WB (which I'd avoid at all costs) they'd get a 7 year warranty. British Gas only give you 1, then to continue it, you have to be on their service contract. How they are still getting jobs I have no idea.

 

[mountainman]

How they are still getting jobs I have no idea.

Because customers can pay back on the 'never never' I suspect.

 

[Rickster123]

Is it 5000 for a full system? Repipe, new rads and new boiler? What make and model of boiler? Wouldn't say it's that excessive for a full system personally.

 

[SimonG]

I can't see a full repipe and rads from bg for 5k.

 

[Destroyer2813]

No chance its a full repipe 28i junior is my guess

 

[TBServices]

Well they quoted my pal £3100 to do a combi swap. 24 junior lol.

So my guess would be fit combi and convert old system.

 

[Roger Welton]

Combi in airing cubard (24/8 jnr) verticla bf, maybe new rad valves and a rf stat.

 

[hammers4spanner]

I know some who paid £4500 for straight swap combi ( bigger fool them).
I dont think tho Bg's quote is excessive for full system ( if its a full system quote).
I always say get 3 quotes anyways be daft to just go off one quote

 

[Rickster123]

be daft to just go off one quote[/
Unless its my quote obviously...

 

[hammers4spanner]

Just adopt the british gas tactics of a hard sell and jobs a goodun

 

[Blake]

Does the quote include a powerflush?

 

[Barry98]

drewfor as had already been advise we strongly recommend you get a second opinion from an independent person who maybe doesn't have the over heads of such a large firm. You may find such a member on this forum by posting a request for a quote in the " i need a plumber section "

alternately please feel free to contact me and i will point you in the right direction of how to do so.

Thanks

 

[leaky]

i love them lads me dead easy to compeat with thier prices come in about half thier quote same boiler and usually a few extras have you ever read one of thier quotes they are intresting

 

[sgph]

START A NEW FORUM OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.... BG horror, excessive pricing, OAP'S with no heat/water for days/weeks with pressure sales, systems that dont work correctly, subbies that trash the place to "make fit", piles of blue roll on combi's under badly fitted parts till leaks scale themselves over, on, on, on, on, etc & more.
might just be popular ah! ta steve

 

[villa_tom]

START A NEW FORUM OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.... BG horror, excessive pricing, OAP'S with no heat/water for days/weeks with pressure sales, systems that dont work correctly, subbies that trash the place to "make fit", piles of blue roll on combi's under badly fitted parts till leaks scale themselves over, on, on, on, on, etc & more.
might just be popular ah! ta steve

Or make a thread about a firm that employs thousands of people, pays loads of money into the economy, has millions of happy customers, fixes people's boilers first fix most of the time etc etc etc

Im not saying their perfect, but there are two sides to every story.

 

[Barry98]

Start a new thread boys , the ops asked a question stay on topic or move on please

 

[kozak1968]

I have quoted a few jobs and seen the bg quotes. They have cut their prices a lot ,you will still pay more for bg but not as much as a few years ago. They make their money up on the service plans.

 

[theanalyst]

I can't see a full repipe and rads from bg for 5k.

Agreed!
£5k from British gas is usually £3k from me!
So I would say this is a system conversion and a combi install price, plus they keep the scrap!

Additionally, a lot (in fact most) of the British Gas work I have seen (installs) is horrendous.
Bubble gum soldered joints.
Pipes on the squint.
Horrendous making good of brickwork where balanced flues have been removed.
No powerflush of the system even though they say they do/will.

British Gas trade solely off their tv adverts and brand name. The fact they are wholeheartedly sh*te and purely after fleecing people for large amounts of cash seems to be unknown to a lot of average punters sadly.

 

[drewfor]

Many thanks for all comments and advice. Much food for thought. Have the disadvantage of trying to handle this, so far, from 200 miles away, so going on what Mum's telling me over the phone. Seems to be a quote for a new boiler (don't know what type), replacing 2 radiators (other 6 ok, apparently), powerflush and whatever new pipework/other upgrade is deemed necessary.

Hoping to get on site within the next week and obviously get a couple of other quotes.

Thanks again.

 

[Barry98]

where is she drewfor