As part of a kitchen refurbishment we are renewing
our old Thorn M56/76B boiler.

See...

http://pix.gillandroy.com/diy/boiler/+ThornDetails.jpg

We have had visits from 4 plumbers. A fith was
arranged but he called at 30 mins to arrival time
with an excuse... "Cut his finger off at work today"
- ouch - at least he also thought it was an amusing
change from the "the vans broken down" :-)

Anyway - from all this I have one quote. Three of the
four have not bothered...

The quote recommends a Gloworm 24hxi and comes to
1557 in vat.

Is that reasonable? I think the guy is competent.
Made lots of notes, answered my question clearly, is
ex Gas Board. Will flush the system. Generally appeared
to know his stuff. Gave me a warm feeling.

The installation is very simple. The new boiler will
be sited close to the existing boiler so the pipework
will be easy. Access will be easy as kitchen units and
ceiling will be out. Condensation run to outside soil
pipe is simple. New cable for pump over-run is very
simple given the ceiling will be down. Flue is straight
up through floorboards, into cupboard in bathroom above
and then rt angle to the ourside world. The system is
already fully pumped.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
Roy

On Wed, 14 Sep 2005 14:58:49 +0100, "RzB" <Please@Reply.to.newsgroup>
wrote:


>As part of a kitchen refurbishment we are renewing
>our old Thorn M56/76B boiler.
>
>See...
>
>http://pix.gillandroy.com/diy/boiler/+ThornDetails.jpg


Ooh! A Thorn International M!


>We have had visits from 4 plumbers. A fith was
>arranged but he called at 30 mins to arrival time
>with an excuse... "Cut his finger off at work today"
>- ouch - at least he also thought it was an amusing
>change from the "the vans broken down" :-)
>
>Anyway - from all this I have one quote. Three of the
>four have not bothered...
>
>The quote recommends a Gloworm 24hxi and comes to
>1557 in vat.
>
>Is that reasonable? I think the guy is competent.
>Made lots of notes, answered my question clearly, is
>ex Gas Board. Will flush the system. Generally appeared
>to know his stuff. Gave me a warm feeling.
>
>The installation is very simple. The new boiler will
>be sited close to the existing boiler so the pipework
>will be easy. Access will be easy as kitchen units and
>ceiling will be out. Condensation run to outside soil
>pipe is simple. New cable for pump over-run is very
>simple given the ceiling will be down. Flue is straight
>up through floorboards, into cupboard in bathroom above
>and then rt angle to the ourside world. The system is
>already fully pumped.
>
>Thoughts?
>
>Thanks in advance,
>Roy 


That appears to be a good price.

RzB wrote:

> As part of a kitchen refurbishment we are renewing
> our old Thorn M56/76B boiler.
>
> See...
>
> http://pix.gillandroy.com/diy/boiler/+ThornDetails.jpg
>
> We have had visits from 4 plumbers. A fith was
> arranged but he called at 30 mins to arrival time
> with an excuse... "Cut his finger off at work today"
> - ouch - at least he also thought it was an amusing
> change from the "the vans broken down" :-)
>
> Anyway - from all this I have one quote. Three of the
> four have not bothered...
>
> The quote recommends a Gloworm 24hxi and comes to
> 1557 in vat.
>
> Is that reasonable? I think the guy is competent.
> Made lots of notes, answered my question clearly, is
> ex Gas Board. Will flush the system. Generally appeared
> to know his stuff. Gave me a warm feeling.
>
> The installation is very simple. The new boiler will
> be sited close to the existing boiler so the pipework
> will be easy. Access will be easy as kitchen units and
> ceiling will be out. Condensation run to outside soil
> pipe is simple. New cable for pump over-run is very
> simple given the ceiling will be down. Flue is straight
> up through floorboards, into cupboard in bathroom above
> and then rt angle to the ourside world. The system is
> already fully pumped.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Roy


well you could buy the boiler yourself from here..

http://www.discountedheating.co.uk/shop/acatalog/Glow_Worm_24CXi_Condensing_Combi_Boiler_.html

and pay a plumber a days work to fit it for you.  i did and i saved over a 
grand.

steve

>
> well you could buy the boiler yourself from here..
>
> http://www.discountedheating.co.uk/shop/acatalog/Glow_Worm_24CXi_Condensing_Combi_Boiler_.html
>
> and pay a plumber a days work to fit it for you.  i did and i saved over a 
> grand.
>
> steve

Steve,

Hmm... That is actually the CXi the one specified is the HXi -
I think it must be cheaper but I haven't found a price on line yet.

I would imagine the cost to the plumber would be in the 400 range ?
So, before VAT that means about 800 for labour. Whats the going rate
for a plumber these days? 60 / hour ? So that's 15 hours...
Is that reasonable ?

Or have I got it all wrong...

Thanks,
Roy

RzB wrote:


> I would imagine the cost to the plumber would be in the 400 range ?
> So, before VAT that means about 800 for labour. Whats the going rate
> for a plumber these days? 60 / hour ? So that's 15 hours...
> Is that reasonable ?


200 / day (VAT Exempt) or 200 + VAT for the LTD companies round the 
South West though I did have one johnny knobsworth that thought he was 
worth 250 ...... he didn't get any work his way.

-- 
http://gymratz.co.uk - Best Gym Equipment & Bodybuilding Supplements UK.
http://trade-price-supplements.co.uk - TRADE PRICED SUPPLEMENTS for ALL!
http://fitness-equipment-uk.com - UK's No.1 Fitness Equipment Suppliers.
http://gymratz.co.uk/hot-seat.htm - Live web-cam! (sometimes)

""Pet @ www.gymratz.co.uk ;)"" wrote > 200 / day (VAT Exempt) or 200 + 
VAT for the LTD companies round the

> South West though I did have one johnny knobsworth that thought he was 
> worth 250 ...... he didn't get any work his way.
>


Many tahnks for your response...

Hmm - So how long will this job take? Can't be more than two 8 hour days can 
it ?

Roy

On Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:19:21 +0100, "RzB" <Please@Reply.to.newsgroup>
wrote:


>>
>> well you could buy the boiler yourself from here..
>>
>> http://www.discountedheating.co.uk/shop/acatalog/Glow_Worm_24CXi_Condensing_Combi_Boiler_.html
>>
>> and pay a plumber a days work to fit it for you.  i did and i saved over a 
>> grand.
>>
>> steve
>Steve,
>
>Hmm... That is actually the CXi the one specified is the HXi -
>I think it must be cheaper but I haven't found a price on line yet.
>
>I would imagine the cost to the plumber would be in the 400 range ?
>So, before VAT that means about 800 for labour. Whats the going rate
>for a plumber these days? 60 / hour ? So that's 15 hours...
>Is that reasonable ?


I doubt if the plumber would get them at 400 quid, when they're just
under 700 including VAT. Did the plumber say how long it would take? 

Mr F.

RzB wrote:

>> well you could buy the boiler yourself from here..
>>
>> http://www.discountedheating.co.uk/shop/acatalog/Glow_Worm_24CXi_Condensing_Combi_Boiler_.html
>>
>> and pay a plumber a days work to fit it for you.  i did and i saved
>> over a grand.
>>
>> steve
> Steve,
>
> Hmm... That is actually the CXi the one specified is the HXi -
> I think it must be cheaper but I haven't found a price on line yet.
>
> I would imagine the cost to the plumber would be in the 400 range ?
> So, before VAT that means about 800 for labour. Whats the going rate
> for a plumber these days? 60 / hour ? So that's 15 hours...
> Is that reasonable ?
>
> Or have I got it all wrong...
>
> Thanks,
> Roy


yes, i couldnt find a "HXi", so i have assumed a speling mistake by the 
plumber.  i paid 220 for a days work from a plumber mate...but that is what 
he would normaly charge for the job.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4201882.stm

steve

RzB wrote:


> Hmm - So how long will this job take? Can't be more than two 8 hour days can 
> it ?


Shouldn't have thought so, if it's a straightforward swop out.
Might be worth suggesting you will be there for any 2 man jobs like 
mounting the boiler to wall.

I paid 2 chaps for 3 days each, on a labour only basis as I had a load 
of pipes & fittings etc to use up, and wanted a significant alteration 
to existing pipework etc which worked out fine as I could just nip to 
plumbers merchants for obscure bits needed and discuss alterations "on 
the fly"

Would have taken me the rest of the year to do it myself. Time I didn't 
have.


-- 
http://gymratz.co.uk - Best Gym Equipment & Bodybuilding Supplements UK.
http://trade-price-supplements.co.uk - TRADE PRICED SUPPLEMENTS for ALL!
http://fitness-equipment-uk.com - UK's No.1 Fitness Equipment Suppliers.
http://gymratz.co.uk/hot-seat.htm - Live web-cam! (sometimes)

"Mr Fizzion"


>
> I doubt if the plumber would get them at 400 quid, when they're just
> under 700 including VAT. Did the plumber say how long it would take?
>
> Mr F.
>


Ahh - got it.. Yes - you are right - I can buy the HXi for 591 inc vat -
plus the flue etc - Probably as you say about 700. So it will probably
cost the plumber 600 ? Is that reasonable. Plus 2 days work at 250 ?
(he is Vat registered) 1100... as againt a quote of 1557...

Perhaps it will take 3 days... 700 + 750 = 1450... Getting close..

How long did he think the job would take?...that was the one question
I didn't get a straight answer on..

It really would be nice to have another quote to compare it with...

Ho humm..

Many thanks,
Roy

"RzB" <Please@Reply.to.newsgroup> wrote in message 
news:3orafqF7cl79U1@individual.net...

> "Mr Fizzion"
>
>>
>> I doubt if the plumber would get them at 400 quid, when they're just
>> under 700 including VAT. Did the plumber say how long it would take?
>>
>> Mr F.
>>
>
> Ahh - got it.. Yes - you are right - I can buy the HXi for 591 inc vat -
> plus the flue etc - Probably as you say about 700. So it will probably
> cost the plumber 600 ? Is that reasonable. Plus 2 days work at 250 ?
> (he is Vat registered) 1100... as againt a quote of 1557...
>
> Perhaps it will take 3 days... 700 + 750 = 1450... Getting close..
>
> How long did he think the job would take?...that was the one question
> I didn't get a straight answer on..
>
> It really would be nice to have another quote to compare it with...
>
> Ho humm..
>
> Many thanks,
> Roy
>


Here you can get the 24 HXi for 532.69 (including standard horizontal flue 
and fixing jig but excluding VAT). I've ordered from these people as a DIYer 
(i.e. non Corgi registered) with no problems at all.

HTH?

Alex

"Alex (YMG)"  wrote in message 
news:AU_Ve.17859$Aa1.1456@newsfe5-gui.ntli.net...

> "RzB" <Please@Reply.to.newsgroup> wrote in message 
> news:3orafqF7cl79U1@individual.net...
>> "Mr Fizzion"
>>
>>>
>>> I doubt if the plumber would get them at 400 quid, when they're just
>>> under 700 including VAT. Did the plumber say how long it would take?
>>>
>>> Mr F.
>>>
>>
>> Ahh - got it.. Yes - you are right - I can buy the HXi for 591 inc vat -
>> plus the flue etc - Probably as you say about 700. So it will probably
>> cost the plumber 600 ? Is that reasonable. Plus 2 days work at 250 ?
>> (he is Vat registered) 1100... as againt a quote of 1557...
>>
>> Perhaps it will take 3 days... 700 + 750 = 1450... Getting close..
>>
>> How long did he think the job would take?...that was the one question
>> I didn't get a straight answer on..
>>
>> It really would be nice to have another quote to compare it with...
>>
>> Ho humm..
>>
>> Many thanks,
>> Roy
>>
>
> Here you can get the 24 HXi for 532.69 (including standard horizontal 
> flue and fixing jig but excluding VAT). I've ordered from these people as 
> a DIYer (i.e. non Corgi registered) with no problems at all.
>
> HTH?
>
> Alex


Whoops.

http://www.energy-smart.org.uk/boilers_prices.asp

There we go.

Alex

Thanks to all who posted. I have decided to go for it.
I checked with them, and there will be two plumbers
on site for a day - however long it takes. There will also
be an aprentice who evidently I don't pay for. I think
the quote is a little higher than it should be but not much.
At least I have some confidence that a good job will be
done and that's worth a little extra..

Many thanks,
Roy