Are you looking forward to getting a new kitchen, but wondering what to do with your boiler?
Getting a new kitchen can be exciting. Perhaps it’s going to be part of a larger renovation or extension to your home, or you’re simply making things more open plan with plenty of lovely space. Maybe you’ve even got your colour scheme, worktops and units all planned out.
It probably hasn’t even occurred to you that your new kitchen could void your boiler guarantee. You’re probably now wondering now how that’s even possible.
Well, as an experienced engineer, I’ve seen this time and time again – and I hate when this happens to customers of mine. Which is why I wanted to raise some awareness with this blog post. Let me explain in more detail, below.
How could your new kitchen void your guarantee?
If your boiler is currently where your kitchen needs to go, or is somehow in the way of construction – or even if you decide you’d prefer your boiler to be in your new kitchen – then your boiler will be moved. This is something that builders or kitchen fitters tend to arrange with their own contractors (who are Gas Safe registered).
What happens next is that your boiler is relocated, fitted to Gas Safe regulations and has lots of space. That’s when the kitchen fitters come back. Oftentimes, building around your boiler or fitting it into a small cupboard with not enough space, making your boiler impossible to service.
And guess what? That’s right, your guarantee becomes void. Well, unless you call your own engineer back and get them to rectify it – which can be costly and disrupt your plans for a lovely kitchen.
The biggest thing that peeves me with kitchen fitters is that they have so much expertise fitting kitchens – however… when it comes to boilers, they just seem to draw a complete blank. They deal with kitchen specifications all the time. Your boiler has the exact same type of specifications in the instruction manual, so what’s so difficult?
Advice from an experienced engineer
The main thing to do here is that if you know your boiler needs moved, call your own engineer. Preferably the company who installed it in the first place, as they’ll want you to be able to keep your guarantee and will use a higher level of care than some contractors who maybe won’t be as worried.
Next, speak to your builder or kitchen fitter. If possible, download the manual for your specific boiler online, or show them the instructions specifying exactly how much space your boiler needs. Ask for a certificate of compliance stating that they are going to comply to Gas Safe regulations and the manufacturer’s guidelines.
This should help give you peace of mind that the best codes of practice are being followed for your new kitchen, and boiler.
Conclusion
Sorry to be a bit of a downer on your new kitchen. However, if you’re having to get your boiler moved, this is definitely something to look out for. You’d be shocked at how often I see this happening to customers of mine, and we get called back to fix what a kitchen fitter or builder has done.
Do you have any questions about moving your boiler? If so, let me know in the comments. I’m always around to help!
