Some homeowners pay far more than £10,000 for work on their boiler and pipes when shady engineers are involved. It isn’t easy having a broken boiler at the height of winter, so you certainly don’t want to deal with an engineer you can’t trust. Here are some tips to avoid spending too much on replacing your boiler at an inconvenient time.
Know What It Is You’re Looking For
This can be helpful when looking for a rough estimate of the amount you should spend on replacing your boiler. Having even the tiniest bit of knowledge can help you to decide whether an engineer is trying to fool you or not.
Start by researching which boiler would be right for you and your home, which includes examining the boiler you have right now. It could be that you’re considering exchanging your current system for a combi boiler, or if you have a combi boiler, you might wish to replace it with a new one. You also need to take into account whether your boiler uses gas or LPG, along with the output size required by your household.
Take Additional Costs Into Account
If you want your boiler moved, or if you require a complex job like removing a back boiler, you may need to pay fees in addition to the typical cost of a boiler and an installation. If your pipes are leaking, you may also need those replacing, which will mean additional fees.
Get Multiple Quotes
It might be tempting to get your boiler repaired as quickly as possible, but accepting your very first quote would be a mistake. Make sure you shop around for a fixed price for a new boiler before committing. Energy Saving Trust says that it costs approximately £2,300 for an average new boiler to be installed, although a new installation costs between £1,500 and £2,500, with the actual cost depending on a number of different factors. You should look to get at least three quotes.
Once you’ve acquired multiple quotes, it’s time to assess how trustworthy these engineers are. If the installer who has given you the cheapest quote has a low star rating, you’d probably be wise to avoid them.
Set A Budget
Have a budget in mind, and don’t be sold on spending beyond what you can afford. When comparing quotes, make sure you aren’t paying for things you don’t need. Many installers, for example, recommend such smart controls as Nest or Hive that afford you more heating control, but also add costs on to the installation.
Have A Finance Plan That Suits You
It’s becoming more common for installers to provide finance options, so you can break down the cost into manageable payments. This allows you to pay for your boiler in a way that suits you. If you need a 10-year finance plan, make sure sure that your installer will be willing to accommodate you to avoid any awkward conversations should they require a payment upfront.
