How much can I do myself?

[HomerSimpson]

We've just had the shell of our extension completed and are now planning to have a new central heating system installed. We're probably going for a pressurised sealed system (oil) and I fully appreciate that this can only be fitted by a qualified plumber to meet current regs. However, in the interests of keeping costs down, how much can I do myself in terms of basic pipe runs, installing radiators etc. ? I am not a qualified plumber but the new push-fit plastic fittings and plastic pipe make life so much easier nowadays. Your views please...

 

[jeds]

Fit everything except the boiler and controls.

 

[breezer]

before you fit anything, get a heating engineer who will advise you, but more importantly commision what you have fitted

 

[oilman]

Agree with breezer about talking to someone so the commissioning is covered, though this only means setting up the boiler so the manufacturers guarantee works. As for what YOU can do, you can do ALL of it, but you should have the go ahead from the building control dept before you start, and their signature when you finish. You will need this signature for the work YOU have done anyway, as anyone else, however qualified, CANNOT sign for work someone else has done. (Unless they want all the come-backs).

Having said what you can do, it's worth remembering that professionals have made most of their mistakes on someone elses property, so you get the benefits.