Is this plumber trying to fleece us?

[razzbo]

Hi. I'm new to mumsnet so sorry if I've posted in the wrong place or something. My elderly parents have bought a bungalow that needs doing up. They took the old boiler out themselves and bought a new one. They wanted a plumber to fit it so that it was properly signed off etc. I found a plumber who has quoted £2040. This is apparently £1000 for labour, £700 for materials (flue kit apparently - just to join the boiler to the existing flue) plus VAT.
That seems like a LOT of money for what must be no more than a day's work. What do you think? Is he trying to fleece us? Thanks for reading!

[kjhkj]

Surely you just get a second quote from someone else?

[Seeleyboo]

Uncle is a plumber and registered gas fitter. He's fleecing you. Get more quotes and make sure they're registered.

[HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone]

Surely they know you need to get more than one quote when looking to have work done?

Get a few more plumbers in and then decide from there.

[razzbo]

Yeah... I should get more quotes. The trouble is that we live in the middle of nowhere and there are only 3 local plumbers. I've had bad experiences with the other 2 already! One made a leak 10 times worse, said he was going to get a part and never came back. Fixed it oursleves in the end. The other charged £700 to not actually fix a problem and in doing so caused a problem where the electricity went off every time it rained!! Then refused to accept that it was his fault but said he could fix it for £500. Aargh! Anyway... yeah, I will have to see if any non-local plumbers will come this far to do a quote. Thanks for replies.

[Comefromaway]

You need a gas engineer not a plumber. Unless it’s a really complicated system that’s extortionate.

[vickibee]

we got the whole thing done, removal, purchase and fir of new boiler for £1400 in 2018. It took two days labour but he was not VAT registered which helps

[razzbo]

What?? £1400 including the cost of the new boiler? Well then I AM being fleeced.

[saffy1234]

Dont British gas offer a boiler replacement service
That may be your best bet xx

[Comefromaway]

We are VAT registered and I’d expect a quite like that for a domestic property to include the boiler.

[Lou0390]

I would certainly get more quotes as it seems very high. We had a new boiler (new position), new pipe work and removal of very old boiler, water tanks and piper work for £2000, this was two days work end of 2017.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Are they changing a copper boiler for a combi?

[razzbo]

It's just a straight swap - old boiler to new. They have already taken away the old and bought a new which is waiting to go in. Just need it putting in and signing off. Don't think it's a combi as they have a hot water tank, but I'm not an expert on boilers... Pleased I asked now as I'm beginning to think I was right and it's too much. Have found another plumber to ask but no reply yet.

[razzbo]

It's oil, not gas, so probably can't use the British Gas thingy.

[GetRid]

I would look into British Gas homecare

[Comefromaway]

Ah, right that explains it a bit. Oil boiler both servicing and installation is a lot more expensive than gas. It requires a different set of qualifications for a start.

[Samosaurus]

We recently had a boiler fitted by british gas and it was £3000 for the boiler and fitting.

[westcountrychicken]

What does the quote say? You haven't really provided enough details for other people to compare, nor stated your area as prices vary per area. Oil is a totally different market to gas so prices don't correlate really.

Have they had the tank checked to ensure that this is up to regs too?

Id say it looks about right.

[HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone]

It's oil, not gas

That changes things, oil boilers are quite a bit more to install.

I would also think if they are in a very rural area where few tradesmen operate then this will also increase the price. It sounds like there is less competition for jobs and therefore they can and will charge higher prices.

[razzbo]

Aaaahhhh OK then. I hadn't realised an oil boiler is a different / more expensive thing. Yes we are in a very rural area, hence the lack of available decent plumbers. Might have to go with it then.

[wonkylegs]

There is an association that's like 'gas safe' for Oil called OFTEC
You can find qualified technicians on their website so might be worth checking for people who would quote in your area www.oftec.org.uk/Consumers/FindTechnician

[razzbo]

That website looked so promising... thanks for the link... but returned no results for the whole county!! Looks like I'm left with the cowboys then.

[westcountrychicken]

Where on earth are you @razzbo? 😳

[razzbo]

Cumbria. An hour and a half's drive from the nearest Burger King, we worked out the other day.