OK, I know this a 'how-long-is-a-piece-of-string' type question, but a guide would be useful. I rent out a flat which has a ten-year-old Ravenheat combi boiler in it. Over the past couple of years it's started playing up. I've had a few jobs done on it but the costs are starting to rack up. I'm therefore thinking of getting it replaced. I'm thinking a new Vaillant combi which will presumably need a new flu and the pipework re-jigged a bit to make it fit. What's the consensus from the Screwfix wise regarding the cost of a job like this? Do most plumbers treat these things as a two-man job? (The reason I ask is that since I installed the system originally I'd be happy to be the second man - wire-wooling joints ready to solder etc. etc. just to speed things along and save some cash). Any thoughts gratefully accepted.
Not interested matey, your obviously a tight moneygrabbing git, trying to get it cheap before you even start. Get a professional in and let him get on with it, you keep your nose out of the job while its being done.
You're talking about a days work for one man, but that would only be with a chemical flush. £400 + boiler, pipe, fittings etc +vat Unless the gas supply needs to be upgraded, you're not talking about a lot of materials but, most will have a mark-up on materials also.
You certainly can earn that (GROSS) if you are prepared to work VERY hard and IF you are HIGHLY skilled.
*t after *t after totally useless *t never seem to be able to understand the difference between charges and earnings. Using the same method, try taking your *tish reasoning to Starbucks and ask them why they make £3 for every drink they sell. Then tell lad behind the counter he's not worth over £750K a year.
kat21, a couple of years ago, good keen fit time-served young Plumbers in there 20 & 30 could easily earn £1,200/week on piece work. Our trade is all about being skilled & fast. When I started my apprenticeship in 1973, good site Plumbers were making £180/week, I got £9.............
The last fit only I did cost they guy 600 ex vat but he had a vertical flue fit which needed flashed etc. cheaper than a replacement ridge terminal so he said.
Thatr's not a bad price ticklybugger, as long as you've got a head for heights. Whereabouts are you though?
Quite right Dick. Ever since that Santa raided my home woods and took my fellow elves off to slave labour in the toy mines, Christmas just hasn't been the same. I'm based in the south east near High Wycombe and the boiler would be for a two bed first floor flat with five rads. Not sure of BTU ratings and such like, but it's not a big flat. I've used a few plumbers in the last few years and the last one I used was the best of the bunch and seemed a good guy so I'd be broadly happy to trust his judgement. Though this close to Chrimbo we're probably looking at the new year to get this sorted. I was just sounding out the Screwfix oracle as a guide. Next question of course is which boiler. I've looked through some old threads here and there doesn't seem to be a clear winner. All I do know is that it won't be another Ravenheat!
In Fife Scotland. It was a bungalow so easy really but it was too much in a day. So I nipped up one afternoon put the flue in and stuck some x400 in the system went back next day and swapped the boiler over. Old floor standing Worcester combi changed to wallmounted Vaillant he supplied all the gear I just supplied the flashing and some pipe. Say £550 for a full day + 3hours.
Stick a 28KW combi in Vaillant eco tech pro is my choice for landlords. PTS will sort out a boiler, flue and plug in time clock for £695 ex Vat. You just need a stat.
L-w, provided the mains water flow rate and pressure justifies it, I'd be inclined to go for a slightly larger boiler - 30kw - to provide a better hot water supply. The CH side won't be affected as the boiler will modulate down to suit. It'll make quite a difference to the general comfort and convenience of the tenants, won't cost any more to actually run, tho' it will probably cost - ooh, I dunno, £150ish? - more to buy.
Thanks again for the thoughts gents. My plumber has also told me in the past he favours Vaillant boilers so it's reassuring to see them recommended here too. As for the 30kW version, my instinct was also to over spec the boiler a bit. I think the reason my tenant is having problems is that he drives it too hard and keeps the place like a furnace. If I still lived in the flat I'm sure I'd get another five years out of the old Ravenheat by nursing it a bit. But you can't really say that to a tenant can you.
No combi is going to struggle heating 5 rads mate even the 24KW jobs would do that will about 14KW in reserve. The full rating is used on hot water demand 28KW will deliver 11 litres a minute a 30 will give you 12 and will cost you 150ex vat or so more. Hence my reasoning for the 28KW ecotech pro.