To question whether these column radiators will really take a whole extra day to install?

[orrible]

I'm getting a new boiler and 7 new radiators installed. For four of the new radiators I've asked for this columnar type rather than the standard panel radiator type. The heating engineer has said that choice will add an extra day of his time to the estimate because they are "not bi-directional and have to go onto the flow pipe work which would need tracing". I'm not entirely sure what this means and whether the extra time is reasonable, so if you have any insight, please pass it on.

They will take longer to install, what are you worried about?

They look just like the ones from my primary school. I’m nearly 50!

Walkingdead from the neck up I'm interested in why they will take longer to install and whether the quote is reasonable.

not bi-directional and have to go onto the flow pipe work which would need tracing

Normal radiators work whichever way round you fit them. Yours have to go on the pipe network the right way round or they won't fill up and get hot. This means the plumber has to figure out the direction the water flows at each point a radiator is being fitted by tracing the pipework from the boiler.

Even If it takes the plumber a couple of hours extra, he has to charge for the day. Very few tradesmen charge for Half days.

surely if he is putting in the pipework he can mark flow and return as he goes and should know which is which. I'd get another quote. They are flipping heavy though and need good fixings , our walls were very poor and had difficulty getting a good fix

You say it yourself you have asked for something not standard but are questioning why it would take longer to fit than something that is standard. By all.means get another quote but dont just assume you are being shafted. Radiators dont just plug in pipework is more complicated than that.

Thanks donquixote, that's a much clearer explanation than the one the plumber gave me.