Before accepting a boiler quote, ask about sizing method, venting scope, permit inclusion, disposal, and warranty terms in writing.
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Before accepting a gas boiler replacement quote, ask how the equipment was sized for your home, whether venting and gas line work are included or extra, whether permit and inspection fees are part of the price, whether the old unit's removal is included, and what warranty terms apply to both equipment and labour. A written, itemized quote that answers all of these clearly is far easier to compare against a competing quote than a single bottom-line number.
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A reputable contractor sizes a replacement boiler based on your home's actual heat loss, not just the square footage of the old unit's nameplate rating. Ask what information was used to size the recommendation, whether an in-person assessment was done, and how your home's insulation, radiator type, or zoning was factored in. A quote based purely on matching the old unit's capacity, without any assessment, is a reasonable thing to question, especially in older Vancouver-special homes where past renovations may have changed the heat-loss picture since the original system was installed.
This question alone tends to separate a rushed phone estimate from a properly assessed quote, and it's worth asking even if you feel confident in the contractor's reputation.
Getting clear answers to these before signing anything avoids the most common source of quote disputes: a number that looked complete but wasn't.
Confirm what warranty applies to the equipment itself, which is set by the manufacturer, and separately what warranty the contractor provides on their labour. Ask how to register the manufacturer's warranty, since missing that step can affect coverage later, and confirm the technician doing the gas work is Technical Safety BC licensed, since that licensing is a legal requirement for gas piping and boiler work, not an optional credential.
| What to compare | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Equipment specified | Confirms you're comparing similar efficiency tiers, not apples to oranges |
| Scope of venting and gas work | The biggest source of price difference between quotes |
| What's included vs. extra | Prevents a low number from growing once work starts |
| Warranty terms | Affects your protection well beyond the installation date |
A quote that is several thousand dollars lower than others is worth a direct question about what's different in scope, rather than an assumption that it's simply a better deal.
Get the quote in writing, confirm sizing was based on an actual assessment rather than a guess, confirm what's included versus extra, ask about warranty registration, and confirm the technician's licensing. None of these questions should make a reputable contractor defensive; a company confident in its work answers them plainly.
Beyond price and scope, ask how soon the installation can be scheduled once you accept the quote, and how long the crew expects the work itself to take given your specific mechanical room. In Metro Vancouver, demand for boiler replacements rises heading into the colder months, and a contractor should be upfront about realistic scheduling rather than promising a date they can't reliably meet. Ask what happens if a delay occurs on their end, and whether that affects the validity of the quoted price if weeks pass before the work begins.
Safety note
Boiler installation and gas line work must be completed by a Technical Safety BC licensed gas fitter; CANRO holds gas licence LGA0043870 and boiler licence LBP0046450. If you ever smell gas, leave the home and call FortisBC at 1-800-663-9911.
How the equipment was sized for your home is a strong starting point, since a rushed or unverified sizing recommendation can affect comfort and efficiency for years.
Ask directly; permit and inspection fees should be addressed either as included or as a separate line item, not left unmentioned.
Some variation is normal due to equipment tier and scope of venting or gas work, but a large gap is worth a direct question about what's different.
Ask for their Technical Safety BC gas licence information directly; a licensed contractor will provide it without hesitation.
Ask for a written, itemized version before agreeing to anything, since a verbal quote is harder to hold anyone to later.
Not necessarily; check what the warranty actually covers, whether it includes labour, and what registering it requires, rather than just comparing the stated length.
Family-run, TSBC-licensed (gas LGA0043870 · boiler LBP0046450), serving Metro Vancouver homes since 1999. Residential, natural gas only.
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