to wonder what do other people do when the boiler dies?

[HookedOnHooking]

We aren't badly off. We manage. But we have absolutely nothing left at the end of the month. Nothing much in the way of savings. Enough for stuff like Christmas or birthdays, because there is nothing much left to save. We aren't frivolous. Don't go out more than once every couple of months. shop in Lidl and buy clothes in tesco.

The boiler is just about dead. A new one costs ££££££££. I haven't got £££££.

What do you do? Bank loan? Payment scheme thing? Wash in cold water?

We knew our boiler needed replacing as it was a) 40 years old and b) one specific part kept on breaking every four weeks. Our local boiler people kept on replacing it for us - at no extra charge - as they wondered if the part was faulty. Then two other parts went in quick succession and although the parts were available, the repair work was £400.

Agree that British Gas, for example, will try to suggest boilers need replacing. We didn't have cover as we did in our last property and when we had no hot water the engineer said it was my fault for not turning on the taps correctly!

Can you get boiler cover? It might be worth ringing Homeserve or British Gas. We were covered by Homeserve for years before our boiler gave up and I'm sure I only rang them because it was broken. British Gas do payment schemes for new boilers, I think they start at around £10-15 a month.

Give them both a call and explain the situation. I do feel your pain, we had years of boiler problems and it was a nightmare.

payment scheme by British gas and boiler cover in future

Yup, we used to have boiler cover and they had to give it a service/check up first. Money was tight, so we got rid of it and the bloody boiler packed up a few months later. We had to beg for a loan from DP's parents which wasn't fun but they kindly obliged.

Hello Hooked

I'm a single mum, working full-time. Like you, I have enough to cover all bills/Christmas and birthday presents but find it hard when something unexpected crops up. (I don't qualify for any state assistance or schemes).

My boiler had been breaking down since 2011. First the thermostat went, then I would randomly get either hot water or heating but never both together. I tried to go down the Homeserve route, however when British Gas came out for the initial inspection they wouldn't cover me due to the age and condition of my boiler. They refunded the first premium I had paid.

The British Gas engineer quoted me over £5000 for a replacement system, including removal of old water tank and two new rads. The cost could be added to my bill.

Through the recommendation of a friend, I have a fabulous plumber who would patch-up my old boiler for me. He must have come out at least twice a year for 4 years and never charged me a penny. He told me in 2011 that my boiler probably had another couple of years at most and to start saving!

In March this year it finally went, and by September I had saved enough. I had 5 quotes in all; my plumber was cheapest by over £2000. Definitely worth ringing around.....

While I was saving, I received a huge legal bill. I didn't want to use my boiler savings so had a chat with my local Credit Union (due to STBXH debts, I would never qualify for a credit card, bank loan or overdraft). They were really helpful and I got a loan with them at a very, very low interest rate.

Had I not been so close to the amount I needed for my new boiler, I definitely would have used the Credit Union again. I now save with them a little every month - sometimes it's only £10, but it all adds up.

Good luck

We got credit from british gas and pay monthly.

We had british gas covet but after many call outs they condemmed it.

Thanks. H is on the research and i have a few options shortlisted. Will have to do a pay monthly thing.

Boiler is old. Been being fixed for last few years and the cost of keeping on fixing bits adds up and it's still shit and broken. No tax credits or benefits.

JOOI Hooked, what make and model is it do you know?

I am sure British Gas do a scheme where you can buy the boiler and add it to the monthly bills. Check that out if you can. I haven't read all the posts so someone else may have suggested it.

I think icantuckmyboobs has had the best idea yet!

Don't bother with Homeserve...they are awful x

We had to borrow off my MIL. It's horrible OP, it really is.