Fireplace - Expensive Quote?

[dishman]

I was at an elderly neighbour and they happened to mention they were getting their gas fireplace re-instated.

This is after an EDF person was around and installing some heating controls, they did a check on the fireplace (at the homeowner's request) and said it had to be condemned.

Now, it seems that my neighbour then contacted an unconnected local firm about getting it re-instated. So as far as I can tell there is no connection to EDF and the firm re-instating the fireplace.

But, when she mentioned that the price to re-instate it was £3000 ish, I nearly fell off the chair.

This does include re-lining the existing chimney for the fireplace. Apparently it needs it (I cannot confirm if this is the case).

I do not know why the current fire was condemned specifically. This existing flue is the original chimney on a 1930s semi.

She showed me this quote for the works to give you a better idea of the situation.



Existing fireplace, the replacement will be the same. No fancy stove or anything.






So I think, even though it says "not selected" for the additional items, they have since been added to the job. At the very least the items other than the gather and gather installation.

Which is why the job is looking to be around 3k all in.

Now, if it wasn't for this person's age, and potential vulnerability, I would not think anything of it.

It may be that this is the expected price these days, and that's that.

But, I thought I'd check with the trusty forum for thoughts.

 

[foxhole]

Has anyone explained that it’s a decorative fire and very expensive providing very little by way of heat ?
Can’t see any of the details , resolution too poor,

 

[dishman]

Has anyone explained that it’s a decorative fire and very expensive providing very little by way of heat ?
Can’t see any of the details , resolution too poor,

They are aware that it is essentially an open decorative gas fireplace (they like that aspect of it). They are also somewhat aware that it will be comparatively inefficient to run, with a lot of wasted heat.

Here is a higher resolution image. I will also update the original post with it.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

They are aware that it is essentially an open decorative gas fireplace (they like that aspect of it). They are also aware that it will be comparatively inefficient to run, with a lot of wasted heat.

Well, if they can afford to waste energy like that.... Why be concerned about the cost of installation?

 

[dishman]

Well, if they can afford to waste energy like that.... Why be concerned about the cost of installation?

I considered that.

But there is a difference (in my view) between running an inefficient appliance for the decorative effect, and getting completely rinsed for the installation cost of said appliance (if this is indeed an excessive amount). Especially if there is an element of the person being taken advantage of due to age.

 

[foxhole]

Can’t see any reference to £3k but had a similar gas effect fire installed many years ago , £150 for the fire and £150 install fee ( included most of the itemised install mentioned )
Chimney flue was good , nothing else required and the chimney had been cleaned before hand .
Off course gas fees have risen but it’s only a days work even with plenty of tea breaks .

 

[dishman]

Can’t see any reference to £3k but had a similar gas effect fire installed many years ago , £150 for the fire and £150 install fee ( included most of the itemised install mentioned )
Chimney flue was good , nothing else required and the chimney had been cleaned before hand .
Off course gas fees have risen but it’s only a days work even with plenty of tea breaks .

I think the 3k-ish quote comes from the total of that first part of the quote:

£1183.59 + VAT = £1420.30

Then assuming they are doing the additional flu and ancillaries

£ 1243.85 +VAT = £1492.62

Total £2912.92

 

[Diver Fred]

Has anyone explained that it’s a decorative fire and very expensive providing very little by way of heat ?
Can’t see any of the details , resolution too poor,

People of that age like to 'see' heat otherwise they are cold no matter how warm they are. (I know - my father was always cold unless the fire was glowing red.)

 

[polesapart]

Before lashing out 3k your neighbour could get an independant gas safety inspection and certificate from another engineer.

The EDF bloke may have been overzealous in condemning the fire.

He should, in any case, have left paperwork detailing his reasons for so doing.

 

[blup]

How do they know what is required when edf didn't give the reason for de commissioning the original. Get more quotes including ones with out a flue liner, if its lasted this long, and is swept regularly, with CO detectors in place, and a safe supply pipe, what could go wrong.

 

[CountryFan]

A lot of the quote is based on if required, so the potential engineer is likely covering what could be needed, then they’re not hitting the customer with added extras. As for the fire (no idea haven’t seen many), is in fact a dfe then a permanent vent is often needed of 100cm squared. As suggested, maybe obtain more quotes. As for EDF - was a warning notice and label filled out and was permission sought. Why was it condemned?

 

[CountryFan]

if its lasted this long, and is swept regularly, with CO detectors in place, and a safe supply pipe, what could go wrong.

Plenty

 

[gas112]

getting totally rinsed
charging for putting down and lifting dust sheets
gas safety check while on site , ........would like to know what they mean by that
disconnect fire 68 quid . .....60 second job to undo a nut and couple of mins to remove 2 screws

. Final gas safety check / commission gas fire this is part of fire installation
gas safety cert is 3 quid to be sent from gas safe .

. get someone else .
but the fire is only about 25% efficient block it off and talk her into getting an electric one

...
but i would like to see the warning label for reason of condemning it in first place

 

[dishman]

The sad thing is, she has plenty of halogen heaters.

I have got a bit more information today.

She's convinced herself that a condemned fireplace means she can't sell the house or that she would be responsible if owners used it after she sold it.

No certificate was left indicating why it was condemned, so it's totally unclear what the issue is. It don't think it was even capped.

She's paid a deposit in advance and also feels like she is now tied into going ahead, no works have been carried out yet.

I tried my best to point out that she could be spending an awful lot of money no reason, but she feels committed now.

 

[gas112]

The sad thing is, she has plenty of halogen heaters.

I have got a bit more information today.

She's convinced herself that a condemned fireplace means she can't sell the house or that she would be responsible if owners used it after she sold it.

No certificate was left indicating why it was condemned, so it's totally unclear what the issue is. It don't think it was even capped.

She's paid a deposit in advance and also feels like she is now tied into going ahead, no works have been carried out yet.

I tried my best to point out that she could be spending an awful lot of money no reason, but she feels committed now.

get a local guy to come out and check it and do the relevant tests .
If they condemned it they would have to leave paper work and also disconnect and cap it by law
Perhaps she has misunderstood them . They might have said the fire is not that good and COULD be dangerous .
She should have a cooling off period have a look on citizens advice site