Baxi boiler & stemflow unvented cylinder

[Elliot Hassall]

First post. Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere. I am a complete novice with central heating and want to make sure I am not being taken for a ride! Had a scan around the forum and it looks great, loads of info.

House is a 4 bed, 2 bath and a downstairs loo. Just bough it a couple of months ago

I had a large company that I know well quote for a straight swap for a worcester - £1,850.

Then had a local guy quote on the weekend. Found him through quotatis, was just trying to get a feel for the above price. He quoted me £1,350 for a worcester (£599 plus VAT for the actual boiler). More interestingly, he then went on to say that Baxi are doing buy a boiler, get a stemflow unvented cylinder free. So total cost of the boiler and cyliner of £549 plus VAT. Giving a total fitted price just south of £1,500. I know nothing of these cylinders, other than they increase my water pressure to my showers (which would be lovely!), and it would get rid of the cold water tank - not so important, have plenty of loft space.

All seems a bit too good to be true, which is making me feel uneasy. Anyone have any comments on Baxi boilers? Are these unvented cylinders worth getting? The thing I am most worried about is being a couple of years down the line facing big bills as the crap boiler and cylinder are causing me no end of issues.

Thanks

 

[picasso]

Do you mean stelflow by any chance ? if so you should rip the installers arm off at that price.

 

[Elliot Hassall]

Yes, stelflow is what I mean! Might not too good to be true after all...

Full quote just come through:

Isolate gas, electric and water supplies to existing boiler.
Drain down heating and remove existing boiler, balanced flue, both cold water tanks, redundant pipework and hot water cylinder.
Brick up balanced flue hole and make good as required.
Install new Baxi Maineco 18kw system boiler and Stelflow 210 litre unvented cylinder.
Run new 22mm cold water supply direct from main stop cock in kitchen to new cylinder in Airing cupboard.
Powerflush full heating circuit introducing chemical system desludge.
Install new programmer and roomstat(relocated in hallway)
Flush system and refill introducing chemical inhibitor.
Run test and Commission new installation.
Register Manufacturers Warranty and Certify through Gas Safe.
Make good as required.

 

[muggles]

Ah, what he's actually priced you for is a Main boiler, not a Baxi. They look similar externally and have the same parent company but the Main only carries a two year warranty rather than seven.

Having said that, if he'll do a good job for that price you're still onto a winner. Has he come recommended?

 

[muggles]

Double post

 

[Elliot Hassall]

Nope, not recommended, random guy. The guys I have been recommended are extremely busy. So it would be a stab in the dark. I got a good feeling about him, but then he might just be a good salesmen.

 

[simond]

Good salesmen don't do jobs for nothing.

To do this properly will take a lot of time and materials and the price he's quoted you is ridiculously cheap, even if he is getting a cylinder for nothing. He's either stolen all the materials or he's quite happy to work for £80 a day.

Either way the old adage 'if it sounds too good' should be ringing loudly in your ears. I think the job will be lousy if he even completes it, the fact that he's available when everyone else is rammed should tell you all you need to know.

 

[Elliot Hassall]

Parts are definitely not stolen. He i buying them from Williams & Co - Pricebusters (he left us the magazine).

He uses family members (nephew, daughter) as an apprentice, so potentially cheap labour.

Anyway make up of quote is as follows:


Baxi Maineco 18kw system boiler and 210 litre Stelflow Unvented Cylinder
£549.00
Standard flue
£56.00
22mm Intaklean magnetic system filter
£49.95
LP522 programmer
nil
Roomstat
Nil
Sub total
£663.95
VAT @ 20%
£132.79
Labour (includes all pipe, fittings and chemicals etc.)
£700.00
TOTAL
£1496.74

 

[Terry lambert]

thats a ridiculous price

 

[stem]

Seems to be a genuine offer on the parts, which is pretty good if the boiler and the cylinder would normally be circa £500-600 each

http://www.tradeonlyplumbing.co.uk/latest-offers/baxi-maineco-system-18.html

Although not clear if that includes the expansion vessel and pressure relief etc.,