Are you in need of an Edinburgh boiler company to install a new boiler?
If so, you may be wondering what to expect, and the things you should look out for when getting a quote. In my opinion, these are important things to know.
After all, you wouldn’t want to choose an installer who charges well over the odds, or doesn’t give you a good guarantee. Or even worse, pick an ideal candidate to be featured on Watchdog!
As an experienced heating engineer with over 20 years’ experience installing boilers in Edinburgh, I’ve detailed 8 of the biggest things to do before accepting a quote from an Edinburgh boiler company.
1. Choose a Gas Safe installer who is experienced and accredited
Firstly, all engineers who install gas boilers should be on the Gas Safe Register. It’s the law. You should also be able to check their ID and see exactly what sort of jobs they’re qualified to carry out.
However, you should also check your installer is accredited for the brand of boiler you want. The benefits of this are two-fold:
- You know they’ll be experienced, reputable and competent in fitting (and later servicing) your new boiler
- They can usually offer better deals (like a longer guarantee) than non-accredited installers
It’s a no-brainer, isn’t it?
2. Check for good reviews and testimonials
Online reviews can be a good source of information when doing your research into an Edinburgh boiler company. If they’re consistently getting bad reviews, and the stories all sound similar, it’s probably wise to steer clear.
However, if some people are just leaving 1-star reviews after receiving the product and only having one or two little gripes might seem a bit fishy – it could be down to something as petty as a personality clash. Also, too many good reviews at the same time doesn’t seem right, either.
3. Always get 2 – 3 fixed price detailed written quotes
People sometimes get confused about why I recommend this. Firstly, no Edinburgh boiler company should be worried about the competition. You’ll want to know the customer has the best option, and it gives them peace of mind to see everyone’s recommending the same work.
If a company recommends a higher output, and others say it’s too big, this can raise a few red flags. You should also trust your gut, and go with the company you feel most comfortable with, who listens to your needs and explains everything they’re going to do. And that company isn’t always necessarily the cheapest.
4. Ensure everything you’ve discussed is in your quote
It’s wise to make sure that everything you’ve discussed with your engineer is actually documented on paper. I put out a quote last week where a chap called and told me that everything looked great, but why hadn’t we included a new radiator as theirs was broken. I had to explain that we’d try our utmost to get it working before thinking about replacing.
It was good he called though, as he just wanted to check that we’d included everything we’d chatted about. This also relates to the point above about making sure what you’re going to get for your money is the same in every single quote.
5. Ask if you’re getting a (fully inclusive) fixed price
This might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised. It’s so important to check that the price you’re quoted is the price you’re actually going to pay. For instance, £2,500 + VAT is actually £3,000. That’s quite a difference! The price you’re quoted should include VAT, parking charges, the cost to take away old boiler, radiators etc.
What we’re trying to avoid here is any nasty surprises that you weren’t quite expecting. We always recommend asking for a fixed price quote, which won’t change – even if the company does run into unexpected complications. We always honour our quotes and don’t charge extra in those cases.
6. Check you’re getting the best guarantee
One of the best ways to get a good guarantee is by choosing an accredited installer (as mentioned above). For example, the same Worcester Bosch boiler can come with a 7-year-, 8-year or 10-year guarantee! Ideal generally offer a 7-year guarantee on their Logic+ range, but certain installers can offer a 10-year guarantee for the same price.
It’s another good reason for shopping around, and making sure you’re getting the most for your money.
7. Make sure they can be flexible and on time
By flexibility, we mean that if you leave for work at 8 o’clock, you’ll want to ensure your engineer arrives at ten minutes to 8am. Similarly, if he finishes the job at 3pm, and you’re not home until 6pm, he should be willing to come back to go over the system with you so you know how everything works.
Also, they should be happy to keep in touch with you during the day, if for instance, something to do with the job changes. They might discover they need to lift flooring etc. and it’s important to communicate that with so first – so you’re not getting home to any surprises.
8. Never pay before you’re satisfied with the job
Most reputable engineers won’t ask for payment upfront, but others might. You should always check they’ll do the job, and go over it with you, before asking for payment. It’s true they’ll have to pay for materials to complete the job, but this shouldn’t matter, so don’t be pressured into paying before the job is complete.
Advice from an experienced engineer
If you’re still feeling unsure of an Edinburgh boiler company, ask them if they have experience installing your chosen brand of boiler and whether they’ve worked in your type of property. You can even ask to speak to some of their recent customers (although not everyone will like this!).
I’ve personally come across homeowners who say they have received a cheaper quote, but on investigation we find they’re not getting the extended warranty, rubbish picked up, or their magnetic filter fitted (very important to preserve the life of your boiler!).
Be careful when checking your quote. Ensure everything is detailed in writing, and clearly states the make and model no. of your boiler. All the small things should be included, too, like removing rubbish and patching up holes.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve found this blog helpful when looking at quotes from an Edinburgh boiler company. The above points are the main things you should check and be aware of. Remember, it’s always best to trust your gut and choose the company you feel comfortable with – not necessarily the cheapest quote you can find!
Do you have any questions about getting a quote for your boiler? Drop them in the comments’ section! I’ll be happy to answer.
