Will Scholfield, Engineer

18 Apr : Updated 18 Apr ● 7 min read

Boiler quotes explained: everything you need to know

Boilers and boiler quotes can sometimes be confusing, even for those of us with experience. But, making sure you understand all the different elements within a boiler quote is important given the fact that a new boiler is often one of the most expensive investments you'll make for your home.

If you need a new boiler for your home, a second property or a place of work, read our comprehensive guide to learn everything you'll need to know about boiler quotes. We'll cover system boilers, combi boilers and standard boilers as well as topics such as the importance of comparing boiler quotes, getting a boiler quote online and boiler installation costs.

What information do you need to get a boiler quote?

Before you apply for boiler quotes, whether it's for a new boiler or for a replacement boiler, you'll need access to certain bits of information in order to get accurate quotes back from providers and manufacturers. Beyond knowing your contact details and home address, below is a list of the questions you should have answered before getting started.

How many individuals will be using your central heating system and hot water supply?
How many bedrooms, bathrooms, and radiators does your home have?
How old is your current boiler?
What fuel type does your current boiler use - gas, oil, LPG, or electric - and do you want to continue using this type?
Where is the flue located on your property?
Do you want a specific brand of boiler?
What type of boiler do you have currently - combi, system, or standard - and do you want to change to a different type?
Is your current boiler performing as required and, if not, why?
What is your budget for a new or replacement boiler?

What's included in a boiler quote?

Installation fees

When purchasing a new boiler, it is typical for suppliers to provide you with two prices; the price of the boiler and the additional installation fee. However, at BOXT, we supply and install your boiler all under one fee with our price promise - which guarantees simplicity, transparency and most importantly, no hidden fees.

If you are buying a new boiler, it’s worthwhile to consider some of the factors that could impact installation.

When wanting to relocate your boiler to another location, you might not already have the necessary pipework in place for it to be installed in your home. This could incur charges related to labour, whether scaffolding is required and if a gas upgrade is needed.

Standard switches between combination gas boilers will have lower installation fees than if you are wanting to change from a system boiler to a combi boiler. Bear in mind, it is very important to get a new or replacement boiler installed properly by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Any additional controls required

Most quotes will be customisable, including how you work your central heating and hot water. Here at BOXT we have fully customisable packages, all built into our website (Link).

Most quotes should include Heating controls such as thermostats, thermostatic radiator valves, and programmers, some may come with controls recommended but always do your own research, especially with smart thermostats, for example you may prefer the nest as it operates with Google more easily. What’s more, it can help you make even more savings on your energy bills.

Post-installation checks

All installations should include a full commissioning of the boiler to the manufacturer's specification, balancing of the system, full gas safety paperwork including Benchmark and Gas safety certification. It should also include a full set up and demonstration of not just the controls installed, but the boiler itself highlighting all end user functions and basics on the boiler. This should include how to top the pressure up and how to reset the boiler.

The manufacturer's warranty

Boilers should all come with a warranty to give you peace of mind that it's protected if anything goes wrong or it becomes faulty. Your boiler quotes should include clear details of the warranty that's included and indicate how long it's valid for and what it covers. Here at BOXT we manage and register all warranties with the manufacturer so you don't have to.

What affects the cost of a boiler quote?

The boiler

The price of the boiler itself will play a large part in determining the overall cost of your boiler quotes, as boilers are fairly expensive pieces of kit! Whether it's a combi boiler, a system boiler, or a standard boiler you're after - the price will vary depending on whether it's a budget, mid-range, or premium model.

Fuel type

The type of fuel your boiler uses is another influencing factor, with more common fuel types tending to be cheaper. For example, gas boiler quotes and electric boiler quotes are going to be cheaper than biomass boiler quotes.

Energy efficiency

Similarly, the power rating and energy efficiency of the boiler will affect its price. New boilers, particularly combi boilers, use less fuel than older types of boilers and operate effectively with smart technologies to manage the amount of energy you use.

Fortunately, all new boilers are A-rated, whether its a combi, system or standard boiler, you should aim for one that’s more than 90% efficient.

The installation

If your new or replacement boiler installation is going to be non-standard or involve any additional labour, materials, and equipment, you'll likely have to pay more. Also, your location within the UK can influence the price of boiler installation quotes, with areas like London having higher labour rates than elsewhere in the country.

Location

If you're relocating your new boiler to somewhere else in your home, there will be a lot of physical labour and additional pipework involved in the installation. Also, if your boiler flue is located on the roof of your home as opposed to on the side, this is likely to end up costing you more as there will be more manual labour involved to make sure all of the boiler's gases are being pumped outside effectively.

Even if paying more for trusted installers is offputting, it's always best to hire an experienced installation team to do the job, as you want to make sure it's done properly. The only people qualified to install new or replacement boilers are Gas Safe registered heating engineers.

Whether it's an upgrade or conversion

If your property already has a boiler and you're applying for quotes to upgrade it to a different type or fuel type then this will mean you're likely to incur additional costs. Take combi boilers, for example. Many homeowners want a combi boiler as this type tends to be the most efficient and offers the added benefit of being able to control your heating and hot water simultaneously, but there is a much greater amount of labour needed to convert a system or back boiler into a combi boiler system than there is for a straightforward swap.

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FAQs

It's important to compare boiler quotes in order to make sure you're getting a competitive price and to give you a chance to explore the offerings of different boiler manufacturers. You can compare quotes online for a range of different models and from different providers making it easier to assess the best boiler deals available.

Generally, it's recommended that you should compare at least 3 boiler quotes before choosing the perfect boiler for your home. These can be from the same boiler brand and be the same boiler type, as there may be slight differences in the product specifications and additional features included.

With the BOXT Price Promise we pride ourselves on honest prices, expertise, and simplicity. Our unbeatable fixed prices means you can rest assured that there are no hidden charges - the price you see is the price you pay.

Yes, you can get free online boiler quotes from a wide range of different providers with no obligation to pay upfront for anything. Until you've had a chance to compare the quotes against one another and decide on the right boiler for your home, any boiler quotes and boiler installation quotes will be free of charge. Getting an online boiler quote is the best way to make sure any quotes don't come with a cost attached, as some providers could charge a call-out fee if an engineer needs to visit your home and provide a quote in person.

If bringing down the cost of your new boiler or replacement boiler is a priority, there are things that can help. Consider opting for a boiler without as many added extras like smart controls and, to save money on the installation, try shopping around for a fixed price quote from an independent trader as they will likely charge less than some of the bigger gas companies. Ultimately, a straightforward boiler replacement will be the cheapest option.

Another money-saving tactic is to choose a boiler subscription rather than purchasing the boiler outright. This way, you're paying a small instalment on a monthly basis to spread the cost of your boiler over a longer period of time. You can also get an instant online quote with a fixed price for boiler subscriptions.

It's important to bear in mind that cheaper doesn't always equal better, though. With boilers, our advice is to invest in the highest quality model that you can afford as it will more than likely save you money in the long run.

In addition, by ensuring installation is done right the first time, you save yourself the risk of further problems down the line. It is crucial that a Gas Safe engineer installs your boiler and meets the legal requirements.

Whilst you don't need to get new radiators if you get a new boiler, some people prefer to upgrade their entire central heating system in one hit. This is because getting everything done at once will be more cost-effective than getting both elements installed separately. Also, if your new boiler installation requires any additional pipework, this can be engineered to fit with your new radiators so you don't end up having to re-do things further down the line.

Radiators typically need to be replaced every 15-20 years in order to ensure that they are working efficiently and at capacity in your home. Radiators experience general wear and tear through repeated usage, meaning old radiators could impact the energy efficiency and overall performance of your new radiator if they are not working properly.

The best boiler quote for you will depend on a range of different factors, with the price being just one of many. Take time to think about your energy bills, whether or not you have multiple bathrooms, the number of radiators you have in your home's central heating system, how much hot water you tend to use, and whether you want any smart thermostats or other smart controls included with your new boiler.

Guaranteed peace of mind with BOXT

Choosing a reputable boiler brand such as Worcester Bosch, Ideal, and Vaillant alongside a qualified installer is a good way of making sure you're getting great value for money.

The team at BOXT work only with the best manufacturers - ensuring everything is done correctly and efficiently the first time by registering the warranty and providing you with a fixed price quote. A new boiler with BOXT provides peace of mind, and above all, a warm cosy home for you to enjoy.