Engineers charging up to £3,200 MORE for the SAME boiler – here’s how you can save
THE same boiler could cost you £3,200 more because quotes for having it installed can vary wildly, a new report has warned.
An investigation found that quotes from heating engineers varied from £1,500 to £4,764 for the same boiler to be fitted.
Ten heating engineers gave quotes to replace a non-condensing regular boiler with a modern condensing boiler in the same home, as well as installing other features such as a new MagnaClean filter and heat pump.
Their quotes varied wildly in price, the research by consumer magazine Which? found, showing that you could save up to £3,200 if you shop around.
The investigation asked for quotes for expensive and cheaper boilers to be installed, but found that it was sometimes more expensive to have the lower-priced boilers installed.
A spokesman from Which? said: "The cheaper unit cost of some boiler brands was not apparent in the final quotes.
How to save money on your boiler
REPLACING or repairing a boiler can be expensive. But there is help out there which can help you cut the cost.
- Find a good engineer: Ask friends and family for recommendations for one you can rely on - and make sure you shop around for some quotes to see where you can get the best price. Local engineers will usually give you a better deal than big energy companies.
- Get it free: The Government's Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme will replace old, inefficent boilers for low-income families either completely free of charge or with a big discount. The rules to qualify for the scheme are quite complicated, as you must be in reciept of certain benefits including the Working Tax Credit or Universal Credit. Contact the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234 to see if you qualify.
- Fix it yourself: If the boiler doesn't work this winter due to frozen pipes, try carefully pouring hot water over the pipe as this may help defrost any blockage and get it up and running again.
- Regular services: Heating engineers recommends getting your boiler serviced once a year. Regular services can also cut costs in the long-run because it helps you avoid the need to fork out for expensive repairs.
- Check your insurance: It is worth checking to see if your boiler is covered on your home insurance if it breaks down, although it is usually an add-on for most policies.
"As well as wildly differing quotes, we were also offered conflicting advice – with some claiming the existing gas pipework needed to be replaced and others saying that it was fine.
"There were differences too in how long they spent in the house.
"One could hardly wait to leave, while others spent more than an hour.
"If an engineer is in and out in a flash and sends a rushed quote that isn’t correctly itemised, we wouldn’t recommend you trust them with the work."
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He added: "Summer could also be a good time to get quotes as some engineers told us they are less busy then.”
It's hard to know who to call when your boiler needs a repair, but The Sun has put together a guide telling you everything you need to know when it comes to getting your boiler serviced.
And you could save hundreds of pounds by fixing your boiler yourself when it gets cold and your pipes freeze over - but always call a professional if you're unsure what to do.
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