What questions should I ask?

[GraemeS]

Ok am about to get a few quotes in tonight for moving my Boiler up into the loft has anyone got any advice on the kind of questions that I should be asking?

I have an old standard boiler at the mo and think we are going to end up with a Combi boiler. Any advice?

 

[Agile]

The first question is whats his CORGI number.

ALL genuine people will know this off by heart if they are registered!

Then lots more questions about the installation.

Tony

 

[imamartian]

will they take away the rubbish (hot water tank and tank from loft) etc, and will they make good brickwork outside and plastering inside or will you need to get someone else in?

 

[Agile]

Because of stringent regulations about professionals carrying and disposing of waste then if the householder can do that himself to the tip then that can save quite a bit on the quotation.

Tony

 

[imamartian]

now you tell me lol

aren't the hot water tanks made of copper? can't you get quite a bit for scrap copper these days?

 

[Agile]

A copper cylinder can fetch about £20-£30 but you have to take it there and stand around with the low life who take stolen scrap to those places.

Tony

 

[Gasguru]

Is he registered...check the card (the back) for boilers and energy categories.

Will he measure/check the static and dynamic water pressure and flowrate ie is a combi suitable?

Is the new gas pipe run acceptable to you ? (probably need a new pipe from the meter will be 22 or even 28mm).

Will he fit a pressure gauge and filling loop in a more convenient place to save you running up to the loft to check every week.

Will he replace the radiator valves or are they up to the increased system pressure of a combi.

Are all the existing taps/shower valves/WC float valves pipework suitable to operate at mains pressure?

Will the old pipe deadlegs be removed?

Will he powerflush the system?

What make of chemical cleaner and inhibitors are to be used.

Will it be installed as per the manufacturer instructions and gas safety regs. (get it written on the contract).

Who is carrying out the wiring? are they qualified?

Will the installation comply with buidling regs?

Will he fill in the logbook and notify corgi ?

How is payment to be made ie staged with perhaps a retainer.

What warranty is offered on the work.

And come back to us with the make/model proposed...there's some right carp out there.

 

[bengasman]

To install a boiler legally, you MUST be corgi registered,
To install a boiler legally, you MUST also be CITB registered
To install a boiler legally, in most cases you must also be registered for electrical work. This can be with 6 or 7 different organisations, not just NIC.
Ask for cards or verify with the organisations. No excuses; if you have lost your card and are waiting for the new one to arrive (this does happen) corgi, and any of the others, will be happy to confirm that the installer is legit when you call head-office. Any genuine installer will be or at least should be delighted when you want to make sure he is not a cowboy.
A good indicator of the quality of the installer is his answer pertaining to –supplementary bonding- a hot item on electrical inspections. Very simple job to do if it is not adequate (almost never is) and any techno babble invariable indicates shifty attitude. All it takes is connecting all the metal pipes in the bathroom with at least 4mm wire, and connect it to the cpcs.
The installer must commission and notify the boiler which means you must get the benchmark filled out, complete with name and corgi number. You also will get a confirmation from the council that the boiler is installed legally. These are not extras, they must be done.

 

[gas4you]

To install a boiler legally, you MUST also be CITB registered

Don't understand what you mean by this bengasman

Are you refering to the energy efficiency certificate? Mine is one of the original early C & G ones.

Only CITB I've got is my unvented.

 

[corgiman]

You all forgot the most important question, and there was me thinking you lot were top notch pros

tsk tsk


How can you forget...............
























How many sugars mate

 

[gas4you]

Matt I would have thought Lager, Bitter or Cider

 

[corgiman]

Matt I would have thought Lager, Bitter or Cider

Not when I am working mate

I do have some standards you know, not many I grant you but SOME

 

[EliteHeat]

Ask for a written specification of works. This should include all of the points previously raised, but formalises the process and gives you comeback in the event of problems / misunderstandings.

Make sure you get and take up references.

Finally, don't be tempted to go with the lowest quote just because its the lowest. Go with the installer that you have the most confidence and trust in.

 

[gas4you]

I meant to take home as a thankyou for doing a great job

 

[corgiman]

I meant to take home as a thankyou for doing a great job

Oh yeah SUUUUUUUUURE you did.

Anyway just to please tony I would be FAR too busy sucking on tabs in the clients house, putting me dog ends in her bog etc, to get lashed