Sold House - Now Boilers Broke

[expertgasman]

ABC (OP),

Please don't take all this as an attack on you.

Tony irritates me, and I beleive others, as he always has a pop at nearly every questioner, claiming they are tightwads, and then regularly underestimates costs and assumes that a plumber he has never met has overprixced a job he's never seen.

You asked a question in good faith, and I responded accordingly, and I stand by my answer. In fact, I didn't say too much, as you didn't provide much detail, and merely pointed out that a combi is sometimes quicker and cheaper than replacing an outdated infrastructure on a heat only boiler.

I would be wary of using these Ebay type firms. As I have demonstrated, that particular firm has been around for less than 2 years and doesn't seem keen on reporting to the HMRC. I wouldn't bank on claiming on any 5 year warranty through them!

On the other hand, you don't intend to be there either.......

Anyway, get at least one more WRITTEN quote, and listen to their reasonings, and make up your own mind. I personally, would speak to the proposed purchaser, as they may be intending to fit a new boiler, as it is old, particularly if the boiler is in the way of any intended modifications.

Good luck, with the boiler, and the move.

 

[Agile]

Good!

Thats an agreement with my recommendation of making a ( smaller ) contribution to the purchasor.

I never recommended that Ebay firm. I only offered it as an example of people desperate for work and prepared to undercut everyone else! I would be quoting about £300 more!

If they can do a combi for such a low price the a heat only boiler would be even cheaper! Perhaps £1200.

I am just justifying my price of about £1500 as reasonable and £2500 as a "quick solution" to the OP's problem as well over the top!

 

[hansthebear]

I believe BS5400 sums up this situation when it states "thou shalt not use reinforced concrete bridges as flues for gas appliances up to and including 70kW"

 

[D.I.Y-SI]

Haven't read all the replys but I would get a quote for the absolute cheapest system and offer the potential owners the cash, and they can choose which ever system they want.

 

[ServiceNumpty]

Glow Worm 52b more than likely on a gravity hot water, pumped heating system, no trv's, roomstat etc etc etc.

2 to 2.5k sounds reasonable for the upgrade dependent upon boiler.

 

[D_Hailsham]

It is a Glow worm 52B super.

That boiler is at least 25 years old as manufacture stopped in 1985. So you've had your moneys worth out if it.

If you are about to exchange contracts, you will have completed the 'Additional Property Information Form' for your Solicitor. Question 3.4 asks: Is the central heating is in good working order? You obviously would have ticked the 'Yes' box.

The first thing you must do is inform your Solicitor what has happened as your purchaser is entitled to rely on the information you gave. Your Solicitor will then recommend the best course of action.

In view of the age of the boiler the new owners would be faced with replacing it very shortly, so he may suggest sharing the cost 50-50 by reducing the purchase price by 50% of the replacement cost. This works in everyone's favour as you will end up paying a smaller commission to your Estate Agent and the Purchase will pay less in Stamp Duty on the purchase.

We have exactly the opposite problem with my son's purchase currently going through. The boiler in the house he is purchasing has a very poor reputation so his Solicitor has suggested obtaining a report from an independent engineer on its condition. If it's bad he will go back to the seller's solicitor and insist it's put right before contracts are exchanged.

 

[Agile]

Its always better for the purchasor to have a reduced price.

Then they can select exactly their prefered quality boiler.

If the seller is to do a boiler replacement then he will use a cheap Turkish boiler and no water treatment.

In this case the contract has not been signed so its not too late for the seller to correct the condition of the boiler answer on the pre contract questions.

 

[DP]

OP can take a picture and post as a leak could be a weep from a union or some other cause.

Sometimes you will get people pushing a new boiler when existing can be fixed if tried.

Picture will help..

 

[Agile]

Unfortunately thats all too common when the engineer thinks you are in a time critical situation and dont have time to get anyone else to do the work.

I am not at all convinced that the boiler cannot be repaired, most can!

A second opinion from someone who specialises in repairing boilers rather than using repair requests and a source of boiler replacement jobs!

Tony