by bigbigblue »
Mon Nov 26, 2007 9:58 pm
Hi,
£12K does sound steep - but to give you an idea, here are some costings for a DIY job based on the costs I have seen whilst doing up my own system (from suppliers like Wickes and local plumbers merchant):
Boiler - Approx 1K for a decent open vent boiler with controller and 1 x thermostat.
Hot Water Storage Tank - £200
Cold header tank - £40
Radiators - about £500 for the 8 you appear to need
Rad valves - thermostatic + lock shields - £100 for 8 rads
So you are looking at £1840 so far with no copper pipe, fittings or labour
Copper pipe is currently about £10 for 3m in 15mm, and £12 for 3m in 22mm, so if you are replacing all the pipework, you need to calculate the approx length required at these prices.
I would then uplift the cost of the pipe by 20% to get a rough estimate for fittings.
Add £25 for condensate drain parts if you have a convenient foul water sewer , or £150 if you need to use a separate condensate pump.
Add 20% for the plumbers markup on the parts - don't forget it is a business and he needs to make a profit on the goods as well as his services.
Hiring a core drill to make the hole for the flue (we were relocating the boiler) cost me £50 for the day (yes I thought that was expensive too).
If electrical work needs doing, then remember your plumber needs to get in a "competent person" to perform the work - probably won't take the electrician long, but he will have a minimum charge (probably £100+)
Then add labour - and don't forget that it this is a complete replacement (including pipes) you need to factor in the strip out time as well as the fitting time. BTW the plumber will take the old copper to the scrap man and make a few bob there too.
I'm not sure what the going rate is for a self employed plumber - but I suspect it is a minimum of £20 per hour. guesstimate how many man days are required to do the work and multiply up. If it isn't a self employed plumber then add 70% for "employment costs" then add some profit.
All of a sudden, £3k sounds too cheap, especially if any of the pipe work is being replaced.