How to go about getting my boiler replaced

[Newboiler]

I live in a small flat which has gas central heating and hot water. The boiler stopped working last week and the man who re-pressurised it told me that it wouldn't be worth repairing again due to its age. I have heard that new boilers can cost thousands, how can I avoid being ripped off?

First look at Government grants to see if you are eligible.
Sadly, we’re not. Ask for local recommendations and get several quotes.
Get a few quotes from the big companies too to compare.
Make sure that the brand/ model of boiler is specified.
What is included? Radiator/ pipe overhaul.
Good luck.
Very stressful & we’re hoping ours lasts out - putting off until the spring.

I had mine replaced a couple of months ago. After getting a (ridiculous) quote from British Gas I googled for companies with high Trust Pilot ratings which offered fixed price quotes. I went with a company called iHeat in the end and was very happy with the workmanship and the engineer who fitted it. Cost £2,100 but that included re-siting the boiler to another location which cost a few hundred extra.

Get recommendations of installers from friends and neighbours, get more than one quote, if you are not sure about any of the technical details ask here (and hope Pigletjohn is around). We had a new boiler installed for a large house this year and it cost around £2000, I would expect that one for a small flat would be a bit cheaper but I’m not sure how much cheaper. We’ve been using the same company for repairs and servicing for over 25 years so I know they are totally reliable (and will come out on Christmas Eve to save Christmas if necessary without bankrupting us, although I’m hoping the new boiler won’t need that!).

We had ours done a few years ago now, I think we paid £1900 for it to be changed. Not top of the range but a decent boiler. Stay away from british gas, I think they quoted us something crazy like £7k for the same boiler!

Oh an ours was for a 3 bed semi, so you shouldn't need a boiler that's too big or expensive for a flat. Ask around for recommendations, or our local council runs a trusted traders site, you might have similar in your area, if you can't get personal recommendations look reviews on a similar trusted teaders site or trust pilot reviews.

With some companies, like British Gas, you can get a finance deal for your boiler. That’s what a lot of people do, especially if they don’t have the money to pay for one upfront.

I’ve found though that even with the 0% finance deal these companies offer, you pay a lot more than you would if you get your boiler through a plumber (but obviously they don’t offer finance!)

So your options kind of depend on whether you can afford to pay for the price of a boiler upfront or not. If you can, then get some quotes from plumbers/ local companies. I’d also check Which to make sure you don’t buy anything too terrible. Unfortunately a lot of the cheaper boilers are not always that reliable.

Look at something like Worcester Bosch, if you go on their website you can contact local installers directly to quote, for a combi swap your could probably even get multiple quotes without anyone attending site.

Although WB are more expensive, they can come with up to 10 years warranty, as long as you have them serviced on an annual basis.

Also "cheap" is definitely not best, check trust pilot reviews, ignore checkatrade type reviews. Cheaper brands of boiler can lack the reliability and aftercare of the larger brands.

Thanks for the information, I have heard that they can vary wildly in price and quality. I will ask if any of my neighbours know of a reliable company as I think all their boilers would be a similar age and type.

Our boiler broke last month and got it replaced a week ago. We live in a 5 bed house and the total was under £4,000. The boiler was just over £1,000 but we needed it moved to a new place and have a new flue installed with new outside piping hence the extra amount . Also had a new pump in airing room and all the radiators cleaned through. We went with British Gas. A quote from a local boiler company gave us a similar quote. Be warned though, both companies couldn’t fit us in for 2 months, very busy time of the year. We ended getting a last minute cancellation. Good luck!

Also, we’re paying on credit 2 years interest free via British Gas. The other company needing paying straight away.

Definitely check if you're eligible for anything towards the cost. We had a Worcester Bosch installed in March after our really old boiler packed up and as we were eligible for help we only had to pay £507 towards the cost.

Our boiler died last year and British Gas couldn't come out to even have a look for 8 weeks.

We had a local guy fit an Ideal boiler for £2k, we had to have some pipework changed too and have a 7 year warranty on it.

I don't get the WB love.

I had a WB fitted in my mums house and it was an utter pain in the ass as the condensate pipe kept freezing - with me three hours away and her with early stage Alzheimer's it was far from ideal as I'd walk into a house that was freezing and she was unable to do anything about it.

I have a Vaillant - installed in 2006 and (fingers crossed) faultless.

I agree stay away from British Gas, soooooo expensive

Get a few quotes. Places like BG will cost more but often include things like flushing the system and home care cover for a few years as well as being able to do it on finance. Local places will definitely be Cheaper but make sure you get like for like quotes and go with someone recommended by others.

British Gas are extortionate. Get a couple of prices from reputable Gas Safe Engineers. Word of mouth is best.

What ttype of boiler do you have? Make and name? Is there a hot water cylinder?

Some boilermen like to sell new ones and don't like repairing so much.

Some brands and models are more durable than others.

Winter is the worst time to buy a new one because all the boilermen are rushed off their feet working on systems that were neglected until the weather turned cold.

A local independent, who is on the gas-safe register and is recommended to you by someone you know and trust, may be a better buy than one of the big companies.

If buying, check the boiler makers websites to see what guarantee terms they offer. Often you will get a longer guarantee if you use one of their recommended installers.

If you ask ten boilermen, you will get eleven different opinions of the best brand.

Vaillant, Worcester and Viessmann usually come out well.

Some people grumble that Viessmann parts are expensive and not widely stocked. Since mine has never needed any, that doesn't concern me. I would be more concerned about a brand that was so unreliable that you could buy spare parts on every street corner.