What a heating quote should include before you agree to it
Two quotes that look similar on their final line can cover very different amounts of work once the detail is checked, which is why the total figure alone is a poor way to compare them. A short checklist of what should be itemised makes the comparison far more useful.
Practical notes on a heating quote
- Exact appliance make and model should be named, not a generic category
- Included extras (filter, scale reducer, controls) should be itemised individually
- Warranty length and who handles registration should be stated in writing
- Removal and disposal of the old appliance should be confirmed either way
- Payment terms and expected timescale should be set out before work starts
Who should undertake the work
- Gas appliance work must be completed by a suitably qualified Gas Safe engineer
- Oil appliance work should be completed by a suitably qualified OFTEC technician
- Jamie Crawford Heating states both Gas Safe and OFTEC registration
Understanding a heating quote before you spend money
A properly itemised quote states the exact appliance make and model rather than a generic description, breaks out labour and parts, lists any included extras such as a magnetic filter, scale reducer or smart thermostat, states the warranty length and who registers it, confirms whether removal and disposal of the old appliance is included, and flags anything that would be treated as extra if found once work starts, such as unexpected pipework corrosion. Payment terms, expected start and completion dates, and who is Gas Safe or OFTEC registered to carry out the work should also be clearly stated rather than assumed.
Where we deal with this
Sorted quickly: a heating quote
In practice: A quote worth accepting is one that itemises the appliance, extras, warranty and timescale clearly, not one that simply states a single total figure.
Use the enquiry form to describe the appliance, fault code and what changed before the problem started.
Questions we get asked
- Should a quote name the exact model being fitted?
- Yes, a vague description like 'combi boiler' without a make and model makes it hard to compare quotes or verify warranty terms later.
- Is it normal for a quote to have exclusions?
- Some exclusions for unforeseen issues, like hidden pipework corrosion, are reasonable, but they should be clearly stated rather than discovered after the work starts.
- Who should carry out the work named in the quote?
- For gas work, only a Gas Safe registered engineer should be listed; for oil work, it should be someone OFTEC registered.
- Should I get more than one quote?
- It's reasonable to get a second opinion, particularly for larger jobs, provided you're comparing like-for-like scope rather than just totals.
Related help pages
- Cost driversWhat actually drives the cost of a boiler installation
- Cost driversMaking good and decoration after heating work
- ProcessPlanning heating work around tenants
- Oil servicing costsOil boiler service cost and what an OFTEC service covers
- Overheat codeIdeal F2: overheat protection on a Logic combi
- Worcester rangeWorcester Greenstar 4000: the entry combi explained
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