Hi all

This is getting ridiculous!

Yes I know this isn't strictly DIY, but I've done a fair amount of work on
the heating system and decided I was prepared to pay (a fair price) to get
the work done: quickly, by Corgi reg installer, to avoid many moons without
hot water etc.

Have now contacted about 10 plumbers (central heating installers or gas
installers) to install a new boiler, re-pipe upstairs in 22mm and
replace/reposition pumps/zone valves.
This you would think would be "bread and butter" work to these guys, but out
of the 10 contacted:

4 express interest initially, but when you indicate there's more than just
remove and replace boiler they lose interest and claim full order books.
5 actually come round to assess the work, some in reasonable detail and with
enthusiasm, then either didn't bother to get back or called back with the
"full order book" excuse.
1 did get back with a professional looking quote but wanted close to £6K for
2 days work (maybe 2 men) and approx £2K materials.

The most recent one contacted was possibly the most honest - he said that he
wouldn't take it on because of the electrics in wiring up zone valves etc
and all the hassle with Part P.

So, assuming that I don't consider myself "competent" to install a new
boiler (although it's something I did many moons ago), where do I go from
here?

Any contact names for plumbers in the Hull/West Hull area would be extremely
gratefully appreciated.
When I started on this trail, I had high hopes for an optimum system layout,
quality of wormanship etc etc.. I am fast reaching the point where I just
want the job done any-old-how so I can move on.

Literal moan over - mental moan on-going

Phil

In message , TheScullster
writes
Hi all

This is getting ridiculous!

Yes I know this isn't strictly DIY, but I've done a fair amount of work on
the heating system and decided I was prepared to pay (a fair price) to get
the work done: quickly, by Corgi reg installer, to avoid many moons without
hot water etc.

Any contact names for plumbers in the Hull/West Hull area would be extremely
gratefully appreciated.
When I started on this trail, I had high hopes for an optimum system layout,
quality of wormanship etc etc.. I am fast reaching the point where I just
want the job done any-old-how so I can move on.

Shame John Jessop's retired


--
geoff

On Thu, 13 Jul 2006 14:19:56 +0100, TheScullster wrote:


Any contact names for plumbers in the Hull/West Hull area would be extremely
gratefully appreciated.
When I started on this trail, I had high hopes for an optimum system layout,
quality of wormanship etc etc.. I am fast reaching the point where I just
want the job done any-old-how so I can move on.

Literal moan over - mental moan on-going

Phil

Phil, If you get stuck I could give you a price on the job. I have family
near Grimsby so it wouldn't be impossible for me to travel to Hull.

Martyn


--
Geosolar, Cambridge. Gas central heating installations.
High quality ATAG boilers www.geosolar.co.uk

TheScullster wrote:
Hi all

This is getting ridiculous!

Yes I know this isn't strictly DIY, but I've done a fair amount of work on
the heating system and decided I was prepared to pay (a fair price) to get
the work done: quickly, by Corgi reg installer, to avoid many moons without
hot water etc.

Have now contacted about 10 plumbers (central heating installers or gas
installers) to install a new boiler, re-pipe upstairs in 22mm and
replace/reposition pumps/zone valves.
This you would think would be "bread and butter" work to these guys, but out
of the 10 contacted:

4 express interest initially, but when you indicate there's more than just
remove and replace boiler they lose interest and claim full order books.
5 actually come round to assess the work, some in reasonable detail and with
enthusiasm, then either didn't bother to get back or called back with the
"full order book" excuse.
1 did get back with a professional looking quote but wanted close to £6K for
2 days work (maybe 2 men) and approx £2K materials.

The most recent one contacted was possibly the most honest - he said that he
wouldn't take it on because of the electrics in wiring up zone valves etc
and all the hassle with Part P.

So, assuming that I don't consider myself "competent" to install a new
boiler (although it's something I did many moons ago), where do I go from
here?

Any contact names for plumbers in the Hull/West Hull area would be extremely
gratefully appreciated.
When I started on this trail, I had high hopes for an optimum system layout,
quality of wormanship etc etc.. I am fast reaching the point where I just
want the job done any-old-how so I can move on.

Literal moan over - mental moan on-going

Phil

ask questions here, become competent, and save a couple of grand.


NT

TheScullster wrote:

So, assuming that I don't consider myself "competent" to install a new
boiler (although it's something I did many moons ago), where do I go from
here?

Get the plumber in to do the straight boiler swap, and then you can
finish off all the trickey bits (zone valves etc) for them later!

When I started on this trail, I had high hopes for an optimum system layout,
quality of wormanship etc etc..

Sad state of affairs, but it is getting to the point the only time you
ever get that is when you DIY.



--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

TheScullster wrote:
Hi all

This is getting ridiculous!

Yes I know this isn't strictly DIY, but I've done a fair amount of work on
the heating system and decided I was prepared to pay (a fair price) to get
the work done: quickly, by Corgi reg installer, to avoid many moons without
hot water etc.

Have now contacted about 10 plumbers (central heating installers or gas
installers) to install a new boiler, re-pipe upstairs in 22mm and
replace/reposition pumps/zone valves.
This you would think would be "bread and butter" work to these guys, but out
of the 10 contacted:

4 express interest initially, but when you indicate there's more than just
remove and replace boiler they lose interest and claim full order books.
5 actually come round to assess the work, some in reasonable detail and with
enthusiasm, then either didn't bother to get back or called back with the
"full order book" excuse.
1 did get back with a professional looking quote but wanted close to £6K for
2 days work (maybe 2 men) and approx £2K materials.

The most recent one contacted was possibly the most honest - he said that he
wouldn't take it on because of the electrics in wiring up zone valves etc
and all the hassle with Part P.

So, assuming that I don't consider myself "competent" to install a new
boiler (although it's something I did many moons ago), where do I go from
here?

Any contact names for plumbers in the Hull/West Hull area would be extremely
gratefully appreciated.
When I started on this trail, I had high hopes for an optimum system layout,
quality of wormanship etc etc.. I am fast reaching the point where I just
want the job done any-old-how so I can move on.

Literal moan over - mental moan on-going

Phil

I wonder if some of these people run a mile as soon as they realise you
know what you're talking about and actually want to specify the job
yourself.

Richard Conway wrote:
TheScullster wrote:
Hi all

This is getting ridiculous!

Yes I know this isn't strictly DIY, but I've done a fair amount of
work on the heating system and decided I was prepared to pay (a fair
price) to get the work done: quickly, by Corgi reg installer, to avoid
many moons without hot water etc.

Have now contacted about 10 plumbers (central heating installers or
gas installers) to install a new boiler, re-pipe upstairs in 22mm and
replace/reposition pumps/zone valves.
This you would think would be "bread and butter" work to these guys,
but out of the 10 contacted:

4 express interest initially, but when you indicate there's more than
just remove and replace boiler they lose interest and claim full order
books.
5 actually come round to assess the work, some in reasonable detail
and with enthusiasm, then either didn't bother to get back or called
back with the "full order book" excuse.
1 did get back with a professional looking quote but wanted close to
£6K for 2 days work (maybe 2 men) and approx £2K materials.

The most recent one contacted was possibly the most honest - he said
that he wouldn't take it on because of the electrics in wiring up zone
valves etc and all the hassle with Part P.

So, assuming that I don't consider myself "competent" to install a new
boiler (although it's something I did many moons ago), where do I go
from here?

Any contact names for plumbers in the Hull/West Hull area would be
extremely gratefully appreciated.
When I started on this trail, I had high hopes for an optimum system
layout, quality of wormanship etc etc.. I am fast reaching the point
where I just want the job done any-old-how so I can move on.

Literal moan over - mental moan on-going

Phil

I wonder if some of these people run a mile as soon as they realise you
know what you're talking about and actually want to specify the job
yourself.

What plumbers like - and they are in short enough supply to be able to
pick and choose - is a new house installation just like the one they did
last week.

No unforeseen problems, pipes can go where its easy to put them, and
chances are the walls and flooring aren't even completed yet.

A nice steady 150 quid a day for 7 fully occupied days on the trot.

What plumbers hate, is a fiddly job where the customer wants it just so,
connecting to existing pipework that may or may not be any good, using
connectors that may require several timely trips to a plumbers supplies
to get, all on a fixed price.

"Martyn Pollard" wrote


Phil, If you get stuck I could give you a price on the job. I have family
near Grimsby so it wouldn't be impossible for me to travel to Hull.

Thanks Martyn

I'll bear that in mind.
As stated in my post though, I have actually received one quotation, but I
can't see where the figure comes from or how we could afford it.
Difficult to see why someone travelling from another area of the country
should be able to carry out the work at reasonable cost when locals can't.
Hull is a large(ish) city, as you probably know, with a diverse labour pool.
Although I have heard it's a problem, would have thought this the last place
for such a shortage.

Phil

"Richard Conway" wrote

I wonder if some of these people run a mile as soon as they realise you
know what you're talking about and actually want to specify the job
yourself.

Yes I think there's an element of that.
It may not help my case that I have a list of parts, zone valves, pump etc
with prices.
I get the feeling that many will try to make the labour element of the job
cost appear smaller by quoting retail prices to the customer for boiler and
other parts. While in reality making serious money on both labour and
materials.
Had high hopes for a guy who called last week. The first one to actually
discuss heat loss and bringing in a Mears calculator to check room heat
requirements etc. Unfortunately he was another "full order book" message on
the answer machine.

Phil

"John Rumm" wrote


Get the plumber in to do the straight boiler swap, and then you can finish
off all the trickey bits (zone valves etc) for them later!


Trouble is, it's all inter-related.
Current system had pumped return which, for some reason not apparent to me
or the suppliers, this is now a none-starter.
Also the zone valve configuration needs to change.
So it all needs doing as a job lot!

Phil

wrote

ask questions here, become competent, and save a couple of grand.


A lack of self confidence holds me back from attempting certain jobs, as
well as the time scale unfortunately (I am not the fastest DIYer).
Added to that all the red tape of Part P due to kitchen location of boiler
etc.
Might end up as my only option though.

Phil