08/02/2022
Boiler Comparison Sites? Or Local Heating Firms?
5 Points to consider when choosing a NEW BOILER
1. THE BOILER
It makes no difference if you choose a boiler from a comparison site or a local Plumbing & heating firm the boiler is the same, The only difference being [for example] comparison sites focus more on quantity of sales using newly qualified, less experienced installers or installers willing to install for a cost which is far less than the local average.
A local firm on the other hand may be an "Approved Installer". An approved installer has to follow strict manufacturer guidelines to ensure the installation is carried out to the highest standard, guarantying a longer boiler/system life.
2. THE INSTALLATION
Boiler comparison site recruit (not employ) local installers in the 100’s having them on the call list allows them to offer YOU a fast installation usually with 24 hours. After you make the contact they usually start calling around their contact list and will give the job to any installer that’s available, regardless of experience or approved status.
A local firm will also be able to offer you a quick installation also within 24 hours, however the firm will usually send an installer who have been installing for many years, if they were to send a new installer they would be in most cases accompanied by an experienced engineer from the firm until the newby is installing to their standards.
3.REVIEWS
Boiler comparison sites will have reviews in the 1000’s as they are operating on a national scale it is understandable they are installing more boilers than a local firm, they usually have software to send customers automated reminders to leave a review until they have left a review.
A local firm uses a more hands on approach, using politeness, high quality workmanship and a properly installed system to generate a review. Believe it or not we as a local firm have many regular clients who, have been using our services for many many years, and still have not yet left us a review. Saying that…. We advise you always check reviews before choosing even a local firm. See Our reviews: https://g.page/r/CUUgLMQHzJMsEAE
4. PRICE:
Boiler comparison site are usually cheaper, that’s because the focus is primarily on quantity. The installers (not all) are usually newly qualified, inexperienced or installing the boiler for a far less cost than the local average, in a lot of cases the installer is given only the boiler and a flu and expected to cover all the smaller fittings & materials from their own pocket, now one should wonder why would an installer work for less?? Well the comparison site will give him more than one install per day which the installer has to RUSH to get home on time.
Local firms do not cost an arm or a leg more. If it were higher the would be a reason for it, taking time to keep the pipework neat and tidy, flushing the system, adding treatment to the newly added water, commissioning the boiler to “manufacture Approved” guidelines even sometimes having to adjust gas valves for optimum efficiency, all takes time. There is an industry saying “You do it cheap….You do it twice”
5. AFTERCARE
All boilers come with a manufacturer warranty or guarantee, usually this covers parts and labour cost if the appliance breaks down in that period however the length of warranty / guarantee depends on who has installed it, are they an “Approved Installer” an approved installer must have direct training from the boiler manufacturer itself from one of its many training centres dotted around the U.K. With a lot of comparison sites to qualify as an installer you just have to be “Gas Safe Registered” & have public liability insurance. Experience is not a criteria.
Part of aftercare also covers how the breakdown would be handled, though I am sure a comparison site has a department for dealing with this type of issue, it would generally consist of never speaking to the same person twice and can easily get tangles in having to play a system, With a local firm not only would you be speaking to the same person twice if needed, vary rarely would you have to press 1 or 2 or 3 on you key pad.
So there you have it, I really hope these tips help you
City Gas | New Boiler & Bathrooms Team
https://www.citygas24.co.uk/
