ᐅ Heating and Water Supply Quote Review

Hello everyone!

We are currently, after successfully purchasing a house (see other threads if interested), in the process of completely gutting the place (built in 1964) and are now slowly starting the rebuilding phase. We planned to make significant energy-related improvements anyway and are now likely to achieve KfW 70 standard (thanks to insulation, thermal bridge calculations, and heating technology).

So far, everything seems fine and shouldn’t pose a major problem. We would like to install underfloor heating throughout by routing it into the screed. According to the energy consultant, the system should then be at least a gas condensing boiler with solar thermal for hot water—and a central ventilation system. We took this information to local suppliers and had consultations. The preferred supplier advised us to go with a split heat pump to save on upfront costs and be independent from gas.

Now the offer finally arrived, and we were quite shocked. Here are the main points:

- Split heat pump with hot water storage tank and expansion vessel (Buderus Logaplus Package WPLS.2-3 11.2)
- Routing about 15 heating circuits into nearly 120 square meters (1300 square feet) of floor area
- Heating pipework installation
- Water supply, with hot water to run through a circulation line

Total gross cost: €27,500. What? About €14,500 for the heat pump, €8,000 for the routing work, and the rest for a bathroom radiator and water supply.

Alternatively, a gas condensing boiler with solar thermal (5 flat panel collectors) is supposed to cost €17,000.

In my view, this seems extremely expensive for what is planned. Could that be correct? Can anyone provide a qualified assessment? Or do we need to adjust our price expectations? The ventilation system isn’t even included yet...

Thanks for your feedback! :-)

[I am digging up your old thread. It seems you created your desired prices yourselves without consulting a professional.]

Hello @HilfeHilfe

HilfeHilfe schrieb:
It seems that you created your desired prices yourselves without consulting an expert

Indeed, the ideas listed in this thread were an initial rough estimate. Since then, our financial plan has been reviewed and gradually refined by structural engineers, energy consultants, financial advisors, craftsmen, and the bank, and it now looks somewhat different (more money…), although in many respects we are still on similar paths. After some effort, for example, we are almost within budget for the windows, and for the electrical work we can manage entirely on our own labor. Regarding construction work, we are still waiting for the final quotes, but overall that is looking good as well.

The $15,000 we originally planned for the heating system certainly won’t be enough with our current concept—especially since we have now also included the ventilation system.

Regardless of our budget, I believe that the offer is completely overpriced. Or am I mistaken?

Hello,

mvossmail schrieb:

We went to the local suppliers with these details and got some advice. The preferred supplier recommended a split heat pump to save on initial costs and to be independent from gas.

I don’t think an air-to-water heat pump is the best choice for a 1964 existing building ... my two cents.

mvossmail schrieb:

Finally, the offer arrived and we were completely stunned. Here are the main points:

- Split heat pump with hot water storage tank and expansion vessel (Buderus Logaplus Package WPLS.2-3 11.2)
- Milling out approximately 15 heating circuits in a total floor area of almost 120sqm (1300 sq ft)
- Piping for the heating system
- Water supply, where the hot water is to be circulated via a recirculation line

Total gross cost: 27,500 €. Seriously? About 14,500 € for the heat pump, 8,000 € for the milling work, and the rest for a bathroom radiator and the water supply.

That sounds about right. If the water outlets are located above each other, I would skip the recirculation line.

mvossmail schrieb:

Alternatively, a gas condensing boiler with solar (5 flat plate collectors) would cost 17,000 €.

Nowadays, a gas condensing boiler costs roughly the same as an air-to-water heat pump. Does your preferred supplier have the correct flow temperature conditions?

mvossmail schrieb:

Regardless of our budget, I think the offer is completely overpriced. Or am I wrong?

You are wrong. With a ventilation system, you should expect about 40,000 € in total.

Regards, Bauexperte

To properly evaluate an offer, you need at least two comparable quotes. Otherwise, you can never be sure if the price is high or low. But here, no one can tell you that, especially with so few details provided.

By the way, we also installed underfloor heating during our renovation. For the heat source, we chose the simplest option: an oil condensing boiler. (There is no gas available in our area).
Keep it simple.

Thank you @Bauexperte for the clear and informative response! I hope I can at least get a bit cheaper...

@Koempy Yes, I also like the “keep it simple” approach. To qualify for the KfW subsidies, we do need to invest a bit more. That’s fine, after all, that’s what the money is for, but you always hope to save a few more euros...

We will definitely get the second (and possibly third) offer in the next few days.