Removing a back boiler? cost and implications...

[Greenfairydust]

I viewed a lovely 1920s terraced house in a really nice area/street but the catch is that the elderly owner has not upgraded her back boiler to a modern system.

Has anyone ever had to replace one? can I ask how much it costs you and if it was a major job/headache to sort out?

I am thinking of making an offer but want to make sure I factor the cost of this in.

We did but it was around a decade ago. We had to get a whole new central heating system put in.
It wasn’t a major job, just a days or two of work for the heating engineers. It wasn’t even a lot of mess. All we then had to do was go out and choose a new fireplace & surround and have it fitted. You would be best to have someone go and have a look and give you a quote. Presumably it still works so isn’t something you have to do immediately?

Did it in 2019-ish. We'd lived with it for years - they go on forever! But when we needed a gas safe certificate the boiler was condemned and needed replacement with a condensing boiler. Cost about £2400 if I remember correctly, would have been slightly cheaper if we hadn't had to move it.

Why not keep it? Put in proper central heating by all means but a stove which heats the water is a useful backup.

Ours was about £4k 5 years ago but we did need all new radiators

weve still got an empty “hole” where it was. Cleaned it up and stuck a mantlepiece over it. It’s ok but factor in the cost of making good where the old one was

I don’t think the op means a stove. More like a baxi Bermuda with a gas fire front (I assume)

''@Handsnotwands · Today 23:26
I don’t think the op means a stove. More like a baxi Bermuda with a gas fire front (I assume)''

Yes exactly.

I am a bit worried it will be costly to replace especially if it involves new radiators, pipes and whatever else as well as buying the new boiler.

It is still working at the moment from what I could tell but it is definitely something I was to take into account (the cost) when I offer on the house.

Just done it in my parent's bungalow.

Ripped out the Baxi back boiler and hideous gas fire and replaced it with a combi in the airing cupboard. Along with a new radiator and a small amount of new piping it cost around £5K.

Don’t discount an air source pump, especially if you need to do radiators etc too and you will get a grant, works even better if you will be decorating most of the house.

Had ours done did cost a bit more but not astronomical

Thanks everyone! I was thinking it would be at least 5k and possibly more.

I did not think that there was an opportunity of receiving grants, so will have a look.

This house needs a fair amount of work/updating but it is a great size and location so I am not sure if they will go for my 10% under asking price offer but hey, I have to try.

It does depend on the area you are talking about as well. London will be more expensive then say Scarborough.

How big is the house? Location is often key as well.

@Chippy1234

3 bed 1920s terraced house with conservatory in Kent.

If you do keep it for a while make sure the room it is in has good ventilation. Also do not turn the room into a bedroom as your gas supplier will shut off all gas!

I think I would actually qualify for a grant it seems as I have a disability. I really did not think about that somehow!

@Izzabellasasperella I would replace it before I move in. I would be too concerned about any potential risk as it looks rather ancient.

I've just bought a house with a back boiler and we are hoping it will last a year as after that there seems to be quite a few schemes to upgrade at a low price. Knowing my luck though it will probably pack in on the day we move in🤦‍♀️

We bought a house last year that has a back boiler and had quotes for 5-6k to remove it and put in a new combi boiler in North London. The hassle will depend on how easily you can move the pipes to a new location as usually you don't want your new boiler in the chimney where the back boiler was. That might be fine but can involve lifting floorboards etc. We are actually going with an air source heat pump instead and for that we are replacing four radiators - the radiator replacement will be 1400 alone and the heat pump cost is about 8k (that's after they've taken off the 5k BUS grant). Our back boiler was working fine (they last forever apparently) but it's pricey to run and the rest of the system (pump, electrics) was slowly breaking bit by bit. If the house hasn't been touched for a while worth checking out the electrics too as that's another potential cost, 5-6k for rewriting. We luckily didn't need to do electrics as well but worth bearing in mind when you make your offer! We love the area so don't mind but it's not cheap.

@whysohardtogetusername

Indeed, I don't think the house has been updated for a while as the elderly lady who owns it has lived in it for the past 35 years so I expect a few issues, which is why my only offer is going to be 10% under asking price and I won't offer more.