Central Heating Query! Reasonable Costing?

[Baldgrace]

Hello, I'd be grateful for any thoughts on this. My father is getting a new boiler and having his central heating system updated accordingly. He's been trying to do this as economically as possible as he doesn't have much money to spare. However, he's just been told that to replace the heated towel rail in the bathroom will now cost an extra £600 as it is not part of the central heating system, but was part of the old hot water system (I guess attached to the hot water tank which used to be upstairs..?) He needs something to heat the bathroom (e.g. a new heated rail) and they're telling him it'll be that much money because they need to run new pipes to it, and possibly from downstairs. I have no way of knowing if that's a reasonable cost or not - and I think he feels worried that he's in a vulnerable position and could be taken advantage of.
Any thoughts welcome!

[TWR]

If he's getting the system Updated it would not cost £600 to add a new heated rail, I'm no Plumber but I think the are talking the IZZZZZ, he cold get a plumber in to sort this for less than that I'm sure, the Builder is usually on here, he will put you right regards Cost.

[ummmm]

Who is telling him this?

He doesn't have to have a rail running off the central heating.

[Sammy48]

We had our heated towel rail taken out as it was useless for heating the bathroom. Just have an ordinary radiator and just put a hang on type over the rad if you want warm towels.

[TWR]

Baldgrace, just checked on eBay for an idea of rail prices, they stat off at £65>>>>>>to a £100+ where they get that price from I don't know, think again, in my view you can get one fitted for well under £300, but as said a normal radiator will do the job just as well.

[Canary42]

If they're saying " possibly from downstairs" then it would seem they haven't done a proper survey - which makes me think they're a bit of a cowboy outfit anyway. Beware.

[Baldgrace]

Hmm. Yes, I was a bit worried too! I think the cost is for the new pipes - it'd mean adding a new towel rail/radiator to the existing system, and the bathroom is sort of over the garage, I.e. down a little corridor from the landing/bedroom radiators, and so possibly closer/easier to connect downstairs to the new boiler site? It does sound a lot, to me, but I don't know whether adding to an existing system is expensive- they also said it'd take another day or two (which might be the costly bit!)

[Sycamore3House]

I recently had a radiator resited and an additional radiator added that both involved running new pipes to. I provided the radiators and thermostatic controls and the plumber provided the pipes and fittings. I was charged £180 and it took them a whole morning 8am to approx 12. They had keys to get in and when I came home all done & dusted. I thought this was a bit steep but in hindsight I did not need to take a day off work and use up my holidays and I was happy with the work. Maybe the guys doing the boiler replacement are gas engineers and not plumbers and are quoting more because it will take them longer.

[The Builder]

Since your bathroom is rather remote from the rest of the system, it may well cost that to install a towel rail and a completely new pipe run.

But, unlikely to cost that much if the whole system is being replaced (new pipework completely.)

If the upgrade is boiler plus controls only, i.e. NO new pipe runs, then I would go for a simple 150W electric towel rail. Even if there is no socket circuit nearby, it can be powered from the lighting circuit providing that the correct isolation and fusing measures are installed as well.

If you go electric, then please remember that this is notifiable to Building Control (bathroom location.) Alternatively, have the circuit fitted by a "Part P" electrician. No Building Control needed.

Also, an RCD (earth leakage trip) would be needed. Have an electrician quote for you. It should be significantly cheaper than the £600 option.

Or........ have an electrician quote for a circuit & fitting of a wall-mounted fan heater. Heat when you need it. Much more so than a towel rail alone.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

He could have a chord operated high level fan heater if he can dry towels elsewhere.They can be run from a local circuit and if the electrical system is up to date should cost around £150.The heat output is selectable and they will heat the average bathroom in 3 minutes.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

..sorry TB...did'nt read your last bit :-)