Boiler replacement quote

A question about : Boiler replacement quote

Hi everyone,

We're looking to replace our boiler, and have received 2 quotes that are so different, we're having a hard time picking one. Was hoping someone more informed than me would be able to give some pros/cons to these alternatives.

For some background: current boiler is a system boiler serving rads and a hot water cylinder (megaflo), with a 2-channel timer and a room thermostat to set 2 control valves that select hot water or heating.

Quote 1: Worcester Bosch 30CDi, keeping all current controls. Upgrade gas pipework to 22mm, chemical cleanse and flush before installation, 7 years warranty (registed installer). Price: Ј2124.04 inc vat, or Ј2214.04 if we also want a magnetic filter fitted at same time.

Quote 2: Viessmann 100 30kW boiler with Viessmann Vitotrol 100 wireless thermostat & controller. Weather compensation sensor and magnaclean filter installed. Internal pipework upgraded to 4-pipe system, removal of control valves. Boiler has 5 years warranty. Price: Ј2585 inc VAT.

The person giving the quote for the second system explained they would have to take up carpets and floorboards on the 1st floor in order to install a second set of pipework, but he did not expect this to not affect any walls / plastering etc.

From the sales pitches, it sounds like the Viessmann system will run more efficiently, with a great chance of savings on the gas bill (assuming the weather compensation etc really works?). However, the installation sounds like a lot more trouble / effort.

Does anyone have any thoughts whether one approach is preferable over the other? Are the quotes reasonable?

Best answers:

• Well first of all what the hell is a four pipe system ??
  Secondly I presume you are keeping the megaflow in which case this MUST BE controlled by a 2 port zone valve not a mid postion/3 way valve, by reading your post it doesn't sound to me like the 2nd guy knows what he is talking about, so straight away I would bin him, btw if they are doing any work on your unvented cylinder they MUST have the G3 cert for unvented cylinders & you must check that, unvented cylinders can be as dangerous as boilers if not installed & maintained correctly.
• 4-pipe system...page 12..fill your boots.
  OP: Viessmann all the way....on the face of it, good price....but wouldn't have a Magnaclean as more reliable filters out there.
• Speculative meanderings deleted - even though it seems not far from actuality.
  Cheers.
• ...........................
• I said Remeha would be the cheaper option not the best. BG gets a good kicking on here but they are now fitting a superior filter i.e. Spirotech...fewer callbacks= more profit. If a filter is leaking (and Magnacleans have a history for this) shouldn't it be sorted before it causes damage rather than at an annual service (assuming the customer is willing to hand over the dosh every year)?
• well then that tells me everything imo Remeha is a better boiler, if you don't agree & you obv do then could you please tell me why in your view WB is better, WB is more expensive & more money to repair as they are a nitemare to work on, eg Remeha prv change 15 mins as compaired with WB 3 1/2 hrs as you have to disconnect the heat exchanger, remove the pump, remove part of the hydroblock & then put it all back, so i would be interested to hear your reasons, just because they are expensive doesn't make them the best.
• Many thanks for the feedback! I really appreciate the additional insight!
  Both quotes were from installers from the manufacturer website list of local installers. I did receive another Viessmann quote for around Ј3k from another firm, but that was re-using all existing pipework and controls.
  I am slightly frustrated with Viessmann and their insistence on using seperate pipework for DHW / heating - it would be so much more convenient if they could drive my valves from their controls the way the current 2-channel timer does. But that doesn't seem to be the way they do things. For the second quote, they said they only needed to double up the pipework until the valves, as my existing system is already split from that point onward. My concern is how much risk is associated with lifting carpets / floorboards etc?
  Indeed I would prefer an alternative to magnaclean, but it will be fitted in the garage with a concrete floor, so if it leaks there should be no other adverse effects.
  Finally, I assume the removal of control valves means the 2 valves that control flow to DHW or rads respectively, but could re-use the DHW valve for a cut-out safety valve triggered by the existing cylinder stat? However, it's a very good point to raise, and I'll query them on that
  Oh, the quote from the second firm also includes a free first annual service.
  I do like the idea of Remeha too, but they don't have a list of recommended fitters. I'm relatively new to the area so I'd have a hard time being sure they're familiar with the boiler and its control options?
• Unfortunately Remeha list only a single installer in Scotland, and they're over in Aberdeen Maybe an opportunity for an installer who is fed up with sunshine and wants to move to the land of permanent rain and damp?
• Just got the following quote for similar installation -
  Worcester 30 Cdi! boiler!!
  Ј1059.00
  Horizontal! flue and extension
  Ј102.00
  Pipework and lagging
  Ј275.00
  Electrician to wire and test
  Ј108.00
  Labour and sundries
  Ј800.00
  22mm magnetic filter
  Ј140.00
  New Radiator in airing compartment
  Ј125.00
  Customer remove cws tank
  !
  New controls
  Ј175.00
  Condensate pipe to drain
  Ј25.00
  Scale reducer
  Ј55.00
  Remove all waste from Site
  Inc
  7 Year warranty
  Inc
  !
  Ј2864.00 excl vat
  This does not include removal of old asbestos flue which would add another Ј1200
  What do people think - I can't understand what the labour covers if I'm being charged Ј125 to install a very small radiator in airing cupboard. New gas supply is a straight run from meter about 6 mtrs in total