How much does a boiler service cost? One visit or a plan

There are two ways to keep a boiler serviced with us. You can book and pay for a service each year when it falls due, or you can join one of our boiler service plans and pay monthly. Neither is right for everyone. This guide sets out what each option involves so you can decide which fits your home and your budget.

Option one: book a single service

A one-off service suits people who like to arrange things themselves and pay as they go. You call when the service is due, we book a visit, and you pay for that visit. The price of a one-off service is confirmed when you call 01732 444555, once we know a little about the boiler and the property.

If anything else is needed while we are there, it is quoted separately. For general work outside servicing, our charging is simple: Minimum charge £90 + VAT, including the first hour on site. Larger jobs get a fixed, no-obligation price.

What can change the price of a service

• Gas or oil. Oil boilers have a burner, nozzle and filter that need specific attention, so an oil boiler service is a different visit from a gas one.
• How many appliances. More than one boiler, or other appliances to look at, means more time.
• Access. A boiler in a loft or a cramped cupboard can take longer to work on safely.
• Anything found. If the engineer finds a fault or a worn part beyond normal servicing, the repair is explained and priced separately before it goes ahead.

Option two: a monthly service plan

Our plans spread the cost of servicing across the year and add extra cover at the higher levels. There are three:

Bronze, £10 per month

The starting point. It includes your annual boiler service, a test of the system water and a carbon monoxide test. It suits a household that mainly wants the yearly service taken care of without having to remember to book it.

Silver, £20 per month

Everything in Bronze, plus priority call-outs if something goes wrong, and 10% off breakdown labour and 10% off parts. This is for people who want the service handled and some help if the boiler fails.

Gold, £28 per month

Everything in Silver, plus 24-hour emergency call-outs and a 10% loyalty discount. It is aimed at households who want the broadest cover we offer.

The full details sit on our boiler service plans page, so check there for exactly what each plan includes before you sign up.

What a service covers, and what it does not

Whichever route you choose, the service itself is the same careful job. The engineer checks that the boiler is working safely and efficiently, inspects key components and the flue, and tests safety devices. Our article what does a boiler service include goes through the steps in detail.

A service is not a repair. If the boiler has a fault, the service may find it, but fixing it is separate work. Nor is a service a guarantee that nothing will go wrong later; it checks the condition of the appliance on the day and keeps it in good order. If you are a homeowner who mainly wants reassurance about safety, our home gas safety check explains how that differs from a service.

Which suits whom

Think about how you use your heating and what worries you most:

• One boiler, no recent problems, happy to book yourself. A single service each year may be all you need.
• You want the service arranged without thinking about it. Bronze covers the annual service, system water test and carbon monoxide test.
• The boiler is getting older and you expect a call-out at some point. Silver adds priority call-outs and discounts on breakdown labour and parts.
• You want help at any hour if the heating fails. Gold adds 24-hour emergency call-outs on top of everything in Silver.

Whatever you choose, do not let servicing lapse. Many manufacturers ask for a yearly service to keep the warranty valid, and our article on how often a boiler should be serviced explains why the annual visit matters.

Making the most of the visit

Before the engineer arrives, clear the space around the boiler and have any previous service records to hand. Mention anything unusual you have noticed, such as noises, a pressure gauge that keeps dropping or radiators that take a long time to warm. Small details help the engineer focus on the right areas.

It also helps to know the make and model of the boiler and roughly how old it is. If you have a carbon monoxide alarm, check it is in date; our guide on where to fit a carbon monoxide alarm explains what to look for. Keep children and pets away from the work area while the boiler casing is open.

If the boiler is beyond economical repair, you may be weighing a replacement. Our guide to what affects the cost of a new boiler explains how those quotes are put together, and our article on call-out charges covers how repair visits are charged.

To book a single service or ask about a plan, call 01732 444555. We are open Monday to Friday 7am to 10pm and Saturday to Sunday 9am to 8pm, and you can also send us a message.