26 Feb 2015

A question about : New radiator

I was quoted Ј170 for a new radiator with labour on top. Would it be wise to purchase my own and do i need to purchase valves too? (and is it a standard type? I don't want to get the wrong thing).

I had a second plumber quote Ј660 to fit the radiator (3 meters along from an existing one) and fit new bath taps as one wasn't working. According to 'Which' online i should be looking at around Ј150 in labour so this quote seems too much? Other trades just haven't shown up at all so i'm feeling a bit hopeless.

I've since bought a new bath aswel as taps myself. (The taps go in the middle of the new bath rather than the end like the old one).

How much should i be looking to pay to fit the radiator and bath + taps? Will they remove the old one and am i better to pay extra for them to dispose of it or is there a better way?

Sorry for all the questions, this is all very new to me having always rented.

Best answers:

  • Standard radiators aren't expensive - about Ј30-Ј100 depending on the size. Find a diy guide to changing a radiator yourself - it's among the easiest of the diy plumbing jobs.
  • There is no radiator there at all currently, there is one 3 meters along the same wall though (for the next room). I'd have no idea how to do pipe work etc. I've looked up the size of radiator needed and it's 1700x700, it will be the only one for a large room so i'm not sure if i could get away with smaller to reduce costs. I've seen them around Ј110 delivered, is there somewhere you'd recommend? Are plumbers happy to fit a radiator bough by the customer and will they provide the pipes and whatever else is needed? I'm on a very tight budget and the trades i've had in so far are absolutely taking the mikey
  • Just seen that you've said the existing radiator is in a seperate room. In that case, I suggest you get some floorboards up (if that is what the floor is) and see where the pipes go. The above advice was based on there being an obvious route for the new pipes to go.
  • With a rad of that size you won't be able to extend from another radiator, you will need to go back to manifold /main run
    How big is the room? Windows and external wall and what is the room used for
  • Sorry i had the HxW the wrong way round. Both plumbers said similar and the online calculator suggested they were appropriate. The room is ground floor approx 20'x11', 3 external walls, one small and one large (drafty) window. There will be a gas fire fitted in the room too at some point.
    Upstairs in a room 14'x12' i have a 450x1600 single convector that leaves you sweltering so i was a bit unsure of the plumbers rec of the larger size with double convector (and the existing pipes are 1960's 8-10mm if that makes a difference?) I would prefer the rad as small as possible so i could fit more furniture/tv on the wall!
    The bath & taps are for upstairs. Was the Which guide correct in saying approx Ј100 labour for the radiator fit and Ј50 for taps? If i'm only getting Ј600 quotes i'll have to learn how to do it all myself!
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