Gas boiler replacement dilemma

clancger

I booked a boiler service last week, 18 yr old Baxi, and the guy that came, from a small local company, told me there are several problems, rust, corrosion, water ingress, small leaks, seals leaking and its time to look at changing in the short term.
He only did a safety check, saying he was afraid if he dismantled it in the current state, that the burner would disintegrate during cleaning.

He quoted me €2200 for a new Baxi, but wouldn't be able to do it for several weeks, and recommended me a larger company who should be able to install faster if needed. He also gave me the number of their local manager, and that guy called in today to have a look..

This other guy is also quoting about €2200, BUT, then asks if I'd be interested in having him doing it as a nixer, using his own gas installer credentials, and not through his employer, so no VAT.
That would be about €1750.

He makes out the work to be done and quality would be the same, and that the warranty would be registered with the boiler manufacturer either way. He did (as well as his employer) also come highly recommended from the guy that did the service.

What could possibly go wrong?

Dtp1979

Is he supplying you with a Cert 2 gas Cert?

clancger

I dont have a written breakdown of what he is supplying yet, but he says I'd have everything certified the same as if it was being done via his employer

Cerco

Can you place your trust in someone who is prepared to deceive their employer,
“a small local company” together with tax evasion?
What comeback will you have if the installation is substandard?
Very often the “cheap job” ends up the most expensive in the long run.

Can you trust them to say you even need a new boiler in the “short term”?

salmocab

The 2 prices matching and the guy recommending another company and knowing they would be quicker is a bit fishy to me.

K.Flyer

I can understand the attraction of saving 450 euro, but you need to ensure that you are definitely getting like for like, this includes some of the unseen items.
One of the important things to remember, If he is working as an RGI for another company, it is the Companies insurance that covers the workers in the event of something going wrong.
If he does this as a "nixer", you may have absolutely no protection, as he may not have his own public liability insurance.
Also, he may not have direct access to installation certs, except through the company, as such He may be unable to certify the installation himself. If that is the case, he may have to get someone else to "commission and certify the installation" a seriously frowned upon practice.
So where is your comeback if something goes wrong?
Boiler manufacturers have a minimum statutory warranty. But if there is a question about the installation or certification, you are on your own, and they will refer you back to your installer.

rightjob!

The best thing to do is get 3/4 quotes from local plumbers or plumbers who are recommended.
Where are you living and someone here may be able to give you a recommendation.

Sleeper12

clancger wrote:

This other guy is also quoting about €2200, BUT, then asks if I'd be interested in having him doing it as a nixer, using his own gas installer credentials, and not through his employer, so no VAT. That would be about €1750.

He'll make a bigger profit doing this "nixer" than his company would if it went through the books. I'd prefer to pay the fully insured & certed company and go legit

Dtp1979

Sleeper12 wrote: »

He'll make a bigger profit doing this "nixer" than his company would if it went through the books. I'd prefer to pay the fully insured & certed company and go legit

To be fair, if he’s suplying A Cert 2 then he has to be insured