Repair or replace? Help!

[Happysinglemum72]

Not sure where to post this but can’t sleep worrying about it! Boiler broke down yesterday, been quoted nearly £800 to repair it. They can do this tomorrow and I will have my hot water back. But the boiler is 10 years old…. Is this a waste of money to repair at this age? I’ve no idea what to do? I urgently need it back up and running as have no hot water. Been looking at the possibility of a grant for a new boiler but think this is just for a heat pump…. I’m totally lost and out of my depth. Can usually do this single person stuff but slightly overwhelmed and feel sick at the cost of it all. Have two teens who are at their dads this weekend and so can get by a few days with showers for myself at the gym but that’s a very very short term measure. So I guess my AIBU is to get it repaired? It’s an expensive possible short term fix…

Have you had a quote for a new one?

If you can, I would replace it now. Otherwise it’s potentially breaking down all winter and costing far more.

Boiler coming to end of life. A new one will be more efficient so save you on monthly bills. Better to replace if at all possible. Get a few quotes

No quote given for a new one, I’m assuming £3k/£4k??? I’ve no clue! I have savings but I dont think enough to replace it. Slightly panicked about what I will do

I have just been through this exact situation.

Is it a boiler with a separate water tank. If so there should be an immersion heater in the tank which you can use to buy yourself time while you make the decision.

My decision was that at 10 years old mine wasn’t worth repairing and so I have had to pay for a new one. Check that yours is no longer under guarantee. Sadly mine had just run out.

My credit card has taken a battering (Cost was £3.9k fitted) and I am busy trying to find savings elsewhere to help pay it off a.s.a.p, but at least I know the new Boiler is guaranteed for the next 10 years.

No separate immersion heater it’s a combi boiler. Fitted before I moved in 5 years ago

There are online quotes for boilers. Some are £20 a month averaging around £2000.
Do a search!

Check your local gov eco website and see if you are eligible for help with the cost.

What make is it?

If it is Ideal make sure you get them to give you a quote for repair. They can be cheaper than a local plumber.

I’m so out of my depth with this one… pretty much get everything done myself but this I don’t know where to start…. Googled a bit and all sorts of different types came up and I think the cost of it all is not helping me think straight. There have been a few tears today

DO NOT USE BRITISH GAS to replace boiler. They are rip off merchants. Please ask the person who came to look at it as they can advise better than someone on here x

It’s a Heat line boiler

Op I think boxt do a payment plan for a new Combi boiler?? The gov.uk website might have more information but I know they are only doing heat pumps or bio fuel boilers. Good luck x

I think you should get another quote to fix the boiler, it’s amazing how much things differ..
I needed a radiator changing, one person quoted £150’ and another £550. Get a second opinion

Yes I’ve sent them a message as a new one wasn’t really given as an option. They just sent the quote over for the parts to repair which sent me into a total panic and so I just said yes I need it fixed as need hot water ( and heating very soon) but laying here awake thinking it’s a huge waste of money

Mine broke down in December a few years ago. I had it installed with 2 years interest free credit. British Gas but they were the only company who would do it that week and after a few days of no hot water and heating, I snapped their hand off.

Thank you everyone, feeling a bit calmer… going to get two more quotes tomorrow but this obviously means no hot water for however long that takes… which when the kids are back will be a massive problem.

I used a local fitter. They did a new boiler for three grand, interest free over three years. £100 a month. I was in same boat-broken one after ten years and £800 to fix.

My fitter did it within the week and it only takes about four to five hours to install.

unsure how to reply to certain posts but thank you so much for the advice…. Still feel sick but feel more in control of the situation. I was so panicked at needing it working I was just agreeing. But feels like madness to spend £800 on something so old. Would i be able to pay a lump sum and then the rest on interest free credit. Could prob pay at least half of a new one if around £3k

you can go to the gas companies who let you pay it off might be more overall but if its easier to pay
i got mine with british gas its lasted years nearly 20 now and only had a couiplf o faults

Don't use British Gas they are an absolute rip off. Find a local independent boiler installer that you or your friends have used. If you cant find one, look at Worcester Bosch (very common and safe brand) and find one of their certified installers. They should list them on their website. Get a few quotes. It will almost certainly be cheaper in the long run to replace rather than fix. £800 is excessive!

I appreciate it feels urgent but better to have a few days of cold showers than rushing into something and regretting it. Cold showers are good for you anyway... 😬🤣 Don't stress, it will be OK!

https://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/products/boilers/find-an-installer#/

Modern boilers are rubbish. Our last 2 boilers were over 20 years old. Get another couple of quotes for repair/replacement.

Thanks @HoskinsChoice i did that very thing…. Went into full on panic mode! It was actually my birthday yesterday so a great present that was! I agree £800 is excessive and the more I think on it the more I think a new boiler. But Im going to sort a few quotes tomorrow for repair too. Absolutely gutted life feels like one uphill financial struggle with little fun… this year has been one thing straight after another. I know it’s minor in the grand scheme of things but feels pretty big right now

My local plumber offers a service plan for about £17 a month, which includes all call-outs to fix the boiler and only parts are charged for. Maybe pay for the repair now and see if you can sign onto to a service plan so if it breaks down again in the future you’re covered? I wouldn’t replace the boiler yet, it could live another 5 to 8 years or so.