Combi Self Install

[ACSless]

Hello All,

I’ve been reading this board since September 2007 when I started my C&G 6129 in domestic plumbing. I’ve passed the course and learned a lot. I wish to replace my existing open vented Glow-worm space saver 50 with a combi. I’ve been quoted £2480 for a Heatline Capriz 28KW (5 radiators and a chrome towel rail) by one local RGI and £1960 for a Biasi 32KW (don’t know the model) by another RGI. Still waiting on the 3rd quote. Our house is a small 3-bed semi with one bathroom. Both quotes are to run in copper – but only the last quote was for removal of the entire existing system (i.e. ALL the old copper pipe work to be removed). Clearly the £1960 quote is winning.

I’d like to install as much of the system as I can. The two RGIs that have quoted already are not keen on the idea of sharing the installation work with me (I can fully understand that). Are there any RGIs in the Wigan/St. Helens area that would be interested in commissioning a central heating system? I’m interested in doing as much of the work as I can more for the experience than saving money.

I’ve done a lot of research to plug gaps in my knowledge (e.g. gas pipe sizing, flues and terminal siting, let-by test, tightness test and gas pressures etc).

There’s 8m from the meter to the boiler location – currently 15mm. Will need 22mm. Any interested RGIs may insist on running the gas line, hanging the boiler and fitting the flue then connecting the gas and commissioning. I’d prefer to hang the boiler and fit the flue – and even run the gas line – but we’ll see what any interested RGIs will agree on!

Reach me on ACSlessAThotmail.com (replace AT with @).

Thanks all.

 

[fitz1]

i work in st helens and would have no problems in you fitting rads and wet pipework to boiler position, but i fit main boilers for the lower end of the price scale and vaillant for the upper.i advise, and price the jobs for either.who would be doing the electrics.p.s only responsibility i would incur would be for my work alone.

 

[Whitespirit66]

There are a few RGIs around who inspect and sign off boiler installations for non registered plumbers, but they are few and far between. They are usually prepared to take the risk because they know the plumber well, and have built up a level of trust.
Having said that, I think that as a new entrant to the industry, not many RGIs will want to have the hassle or the risk of letting you do some of the installation work on your boiler.
There's nothing to stop you removing the old rads. and pipework and installing the new rads. This is a time consuming but relatively straightforward job, that should save on the cost of your installation. If you need any info for pipe sizing etc for this, just ask on this forum.

 

[ChrisR]

I've done what you want a few times:
1st visit, agree what you're going to put where, and how you're going to test it.
2nd visit, either do the rest or tell you what else needs doing.
3rd visit if necessary, finishes. All charged by the hour, plus an amount to commission the boiler. I test the water.

What you could do would vary. If you use a boiler with a mounting frame you can fit/connect it and the corgi can inspect the fixings. I'd let you run gas pipe but I'd do the joints and it would have to be inspectable throughout.

 

[Agile]

I am one of the very few CORGIs who will do the mimimum required. But I am a stickler for correctness.

The CORGI must fix the wall bracket, assemble and fit the flue, joint and test the gas pipe and commission the boiler. I do that over two visits and charge about £180 if I am not delayed.

The bigest problem is that the DIYer is unable to site the boiler correctly or to ensure the gas supply is correctly sized so I spend a lot of time at the beginning questioning all the details to ensure nothing is going to go wrong.

Tony