You will need to keep your gas boiler running efficiently and effectively to maintain a warm home. To do this you will need to have your boiler serviced by a licenced boiler engineer. But what is the best boiler cover and what is the boiler service cost in the UK? Find out more by reading our guide.
Boiler Service Cost – Overview
Boiler service from local boiler companies usually costs, on average, between £70-£90, depending on where you live in the country. Prices are usually higher in bigger cities and particularly high in London. A clever way to save on the overall boiler service prices is to include all your gas appliances (gas fire, hob, etc.) in the bundle and pay approximately £100-£125.
If you decide to go with a national firm, expect to pay from £66 to £135 for a yearly boiler cover that includes only servicing ( not the cost of parts and the labor work required). If a replacement boiler is included in the plan, prices range from £174 to £276.
On-off boilers, on average, costs £71 from national providers; however, you can also hire a local contractor for £50, depending on whereabouts you live in the country.
| National Average | £75 |
| Typical Range | £70-£90 |
| Lowest- Highest | £50-£135 |
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of an oil boiler?
The advantages to having an oil boiler include changing suppliers whenever you choose and the ability to select from a wide range of appliances.
One of the main disadvantages of having an oil boiler is that some leading insurers will not cover an oil boiler storage tank.
Additionally, oil boiler installers do not have to be OFTEC registered, so no overall governing body such as Gas Safe protects homeowners.
Annual Boiler Service
An annual boiler service cover ensures that your boiler is serviced regularly to function properly. Boiler servicing is a very responsible job that a Gas Safe registered engineer should only carry out. If your boiler warranty is still valid, an annual service is still included in it. Always ask to see the engineer’s Gas Safe ID.
What is included in a boiler service?
Firstly, the engineer will need to look at the inside components to check that they are all working properly and comply with safety requirements. To do this, they will remove the outer casing. They will then check:
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- The gas is operating at the correct pressure and flow. Check the Flue and the combustion. The engineer will make sure that your boiler is burning gas and air in the correct mixture. They do this by using a flue gas analyzer.
- Electrics – all the connections should be clean and working properly. Who will thoroughly check the condition of the electrics?
- All the key parts of the boiler, including fans, will be checked to ensure they are working properly.
- Seals are assessed for damage and replaced if necessary.
- Who will check all the electrodes for the condition?
- Any integral safety devices are checked.
- The engineer will look for blockages in the condensate trap and the pipes and take any necessary action.
- Who will assess the water and gas pipework for safety and function?
Once the service is finished, the engineer should give you a written service report, which details the work that they have done. You should have the chance to ask any questions you may have, and the engineer will be able to answer these and give you any relevant advice. If at any time between services you think your boiler is not working properly, you should contact a registered gas safe engineer.
Monthly boiler cover cost
Covering your boiler means you are protected if the boiler or its controls break. Most boiler cover also includes the cost of servicing, but some don’t, so always check the small print. Boiler insurance usually costs between £60 to £100 a year and is paid every month. Here are the costs of some of the more common boiler cover policies:
- British Gas charges from £12 per month
- CERTI UK costs from £13.50 per month
- EDF Energy from £13.29 per month
- Homeserve from £13 per month
- Scottish Power from £13.13 per month
- Your Repair from £9 per month
- 24/7 Home Rescue from £9.60 per month
- Swale Heating from £6.66 per month
- Gorgi Home Plan from £6 per month +3 months free
- SSE Boiler Breakdown Cover £4.95
- NPower Boiler Cover from £10.92 per month
If you don’t want to go for a standalone policy to cover your boiler, sometimes you can add this to your existing home insurance. In many cases, this is sold as an add-on service known as ‘Home Emergency Cover. This often works out cheaper – around £5 a month – than the standalone boiler policies.
Be sure to check that the insurance covers your specific boiler as some have restrictions on boilers, such as the Megaflow boiler or other unvented systems.
One-off boiler service cost
Your boiler manufacturer or energy supplier may provide you with an annual boiler service; if not, you’ll need to hire a boiler engineer to service your boiler independently. The average boiler service cost comes to £71; however, according to Energy Saving Trust (EST), the cost of a boiler service can range from £50 to £100; more specific one-off boiler service costs are detailed below:
- Npower boiler servicing prices start from £99.
- British Gas charges £79 for a boiler service check.
- EDF Energy boiler service starts from £80.
- Homeserve charges £80 for one-off boiler service.
- Baxi’s annual boiler service price starts from £96.
- Worchester-Bosch service cost starts from £90.
Best boiler cover
The following boiler service comparison table allows you to see prices if a replacement boiler is included in the cover and whether the call-out is allowed or not.
| Boiler Cover | British Gas | Aviva | HomeServe | Scottish Power | 24/7 Home Rescue | Corgi Homeplan | Your Repair | Row | SSE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly cost | £240 | £225 | £258 | £226.80 | £176.40 | £276.00 | £195.00 | £185.76 | £226.80 |
| Unlimited claims | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| REPLACEMENT BOILER | |||||||||
| Replacement boiler if less than 7 years old and BER* | Conditions apply | Conditions apply | Conditions apply | No | No | No | Conditions apply | Conditions apply | Yes |
| Replacement boiler if more than 7 years old and BER* | No | No | Conditions apply | No | No | No | No | Conditions apply | Conditions apply |
| CALLOUTS | |||||||||
| Breakdowns | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Intermittent fault | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
Benefits of having a boiler service
The benefits of having your boiler serviced tend to outweigh the average boiler service cost:
Save money on repairs – Your boiler should work perfectly and efficiently; a boiler service engineer will make sure your boiler is working correctly and pick up on any minor faults, which, if left unrepaired, could cause major problems in the future. Servicing your boiler could save you money on larger repair bills and emergency call-out fees.
A boiler service could save your life – a faulty boiler can be extremely dangerous; around 20 people die every year in the UK from Carbon Monoxide (CO) leaks caused by faulty gas boilers and appliances, reports the Health and Safety Executive. A regular boiler service will detect any CO leaks, keeping you and your family safe from CO poisoning.
Reduce your fuel bills – A boiler service engineer will ensure your boiler isn’t wasting energy; this can save you money on your fuel bills and cut your household carbon emissions. A boiler service may cut your heating bills drastically. It should save you money in the long run so that you don’t need to replace it fully.
A Service may ensure your insurance is valid – Many boiler warranties require you to have your boiler regularly serviced.
Stay legal – landlords are legally obliged to service boilers in their rental properties every year and must provide a valid Gas Safety certificate for gas boilers.
Do I need a boiler and central heating cover? What is it for?
A boiler and the central heating cover is a type of home insurance that you can claim if your boiler and/or central heating stops working. It usually covers call-out fees and the cost of repairs.
British Gas has its own boiler and central heating cover, which means that if you have a problem with your system, you can call us, and one of our engineers will come to your home to fix the problem for you. If your radiators don’t come on in the middle of winter or you find no hot water, you have the peace of mind that we will come and sort it out and cover the parts and labor costs.
| Boiler Service Contract | Which? Score |
|---|---|
| Worcester Bosch | 79% |
| Vaillant | 71% |
| British Gas | 59% |
| AA | 58% |
| SSE | 57% |
| Corgi Homeplan | 57% |
| HomeServe | 50% |
| Scottish Power | 39% |
How much does it cost to service an oil-fired boiler?
An oil boiler generally costs more to install, run, and service, but this may be your only choice if you live in a rural area that isn’t on the gas mains. The average cost of oil boiler service will vary depending on where you live and the make of your boiler:
According to MoneySavingExpert, the average cost to service an oil boiler is £230
Fixed price boiler repairs or One-off boiler repair cost
When servicing your boiler, an engineer may find that you need some repair work done. If this is the case, it may be a good idea to negotiate a fixed price boiler repair. Shop around for the best-fixed price boiler repair prices; for example:
British Gas fixed price boiler repairs start from £79.
British Gas’s one-off boiler repair cost ranges between £79 and £459, depending on the time required for the boiler engineer to complete the project. Expect to pay from £79 or £89 for 30 minutes, £199 or £238.99 between 30 minutes and 2 hours, and £409 or £459 anywhere over 2 hours.
Homeserve fixed price boiler repairs start from £210
The one-off boiler covers the following boiler issues:
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- leaks or breakdown
- Heating exchanger repair
- Motorized valve replacements.
- Temperature or timing controls replacement.
Arranging a boiler service
You should have your boiler serviced every year or more frequently if advised by the boiler manufacturer. Make sure you hire the right boiler service engineer for the job:
Gas boiler service – by law, anyone who installs, repairs, or services who must register gas appliances with Gas Safe
Solid fuel boiler service – For a block of wood or coal-burning boiler, hire a HETAS registered engineer to carry out your boiler service safely. HETAS advise regular cleaning of your chimney and flue in addition to boiler checks
Oil boiler servicing – Ideally, you should have your oil boiler serviced by an OFTEC registered engineer.
When choosing someone for servicing a boiler, it is straightforward – take a look at our trusted tradesmen in our network to find your ideal boiler service engineer. Then think about asking the following questions:
Boiler repair & service cost – Most common jobs
We have contacted the tradesmen in our network to determine the cost of typical boiler servicing jobs and how quickly they should be completed. We gathered all the data and created the following table to help you with your boiler servicing costs.
| Job | Details | Typical price | Typical time to complete job |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry out Gas service of a typical combi boiler | Visual inspection, fire tests, ventilation, flue gas analysis, replacement of damaged parts, an inspection of internal components, and removal and cleaning of the boiler casing. | £60 | 1–1.5 hours |
| Perform an annual service of a living room gas fire | Front glass removal, door assembly, clean out assembly, burner and catalyst assembly, glass leak check, clean burner units, and pipes, check ventilation, test setting pressure | £65 | 1–1.5 hours |
| Fit new TRVs | Supply and fit 10 new thermostatic radiators | £350 | 5-8 hours |
| Install a replacement fan for standard combi gas boiler | Supply and replace the combi boiler existing fan with a new one. | £260 | 1-2 hours |
| Install one magnetic filter on a gas combi boiler | Disconnect existing filter, install a new one, inspect new one, safety devices check | £300 | 2-3 hours |
| Supply and fit new room thermostat | Installation of a new thermostat | £200 | |
| Supply and fit one radiator | Supply and install a new radiator after removing the old one. Any pipework is not included. | £60 | 2-3 hours |
| Supply and fit new boiler (same location) | Replace an existing boiler and install a new regular boiler in the same location as before. | £1,800 | 1-2 days |
| Supply and fit a new central heating pump | Replacement of old central heating pump and installation of a new one. | £180 | 1-2 hours |
Key things to look for when picking a boiler cover plan?
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- Make sure that the brand and the age of the boiler can cover. Some service providers limit the number of years they can cover, usually set at 15 years. It is advisable to choose a plan that will cover your boiler for life.
- Do they have a 24-hour helpline, and is it available all year?
- How long does it take their engineers to pay a house call?
- Do they have an initial no-claims period, and if they do, how long does it last?
- Do they set a limit to the number of call-outs or the amount that who can claim yearly?
- Do they charge extra for parts or labor?
Boiler service grants
Not everyone is aware that there is a helpful range of government grants for central heating boilers. Depending on your location in the UK, there are different grants for central heating systems for which you could be eligible, including central heating grants for pensioners and central heating grants for disabled people.
Read our guide about government central heating grants, which should help you figure out just how much money and/or welfare you’re entitled to.
You may be eligible for a boiler service grant, which provides some money towards the cost of servicing 
your boiler through one of these schemes:
The Warm Home Discount Scheme (replaces Warm Front)– for those living in England
The Warm Home Scheme – for residents of Northern Ireland
The Fuel Poverty Scheme – for Welsh residents
Energy Supplier Grants – energy suppliers are required to offer discounts and grants for things like boiler servicing under Carbon Emission Reduction Targets (CERT)
Local Government Grants – call your local authority to see whether you’re eligible for a boiler servicing grant.
Remember, this guide about boiler Grants is intended as a starting point for discovering what heating grants are available. To check your personal eligibility through the official channels or to keep abreast of changing legislation and regulations, you should contact your relevant Government department as soon as possible. Don’t waste any more time worrying about the cold this winter, and get in touch about grants for central heating today.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a boiler cover?
A boiler cover ensures that your boiler runs efficiently and effectively to maintain your home warm all year. To do this, you will need to have your boiler serviced regularly. Lack of maintenance will cause problems with heating efficiency as well as damaging your boiler. It is better to service your boiler every year than buy a new one every few years.
Does A One-Off Boiler Service Cost More?
If you are not interested in getting a yearly boiler cover, you can choose to have your boiler serviced once each year by a gas safe registered engineer to avoid losing your manufacturer’s guarantee. The cost of a one-off boiler service usually costs around £70-£90 from a local contractor, excluding the cost of parts and labor required to install any new one.
How Often Should I Have My Boiler Serviced?
It is recommended to have your boiler serviced online by a Gas Safe Engineer each year for a one-off payment or take advantage of many plans provided by gas companies that will cover servicing and maintenance all year round. Always get a receipt to prove that your boiler has been serviced by a gas safe registered engineer otherwise, most boiler manufacturers will not honor their warranty.
Does insurance cover the replacement boiler?
Boiler insurance does not usually include a replacement boiler unless it is included in the deal. The cost for an all-inclusive boiler cover starts from £176 per year.
What is the excess on the boiler cover?
An excess boiler cover refers to the extra cost several boiler insurance packages require the customer to pay for an engineer to visit their property. The cost usually comes to around £50 per visit for the engineer to complete the repairs when your boiler is not working properly.
How long does it take to install a boiler?
Boilers, when they are well-maintained, can last up to 15 years. If you are looking to keep your boiler over 15 years and in excellent working condition, then servicing your boiler often is probably the only way to avoid low efficiency and the risk of malfunctions.
What are the types of boiler cover available?
There are basically two categories of boiler breakdown cover that you can use. They include:
- The cover that only takes care of your boiler and controls
- The cover that takes care of your entire heating system as well as hot water
Certain boiler cover plans will, for an extra amount, permit you to include additional cover for plumbing, drains, and electronics.
What is a boiler-only heating cover?
Fixing your boiler and controls when it spoils or breaks down are some of the things covered by boiler-only cover plans. This can also add annual oil-fired or gas boiler maintenance check and service to the plan; however, if it is not, you can include it as an extra. This plan should also cover call-out, parts, and labor.
What is included in the full system boiler cover?
Fixing your boiler, its control, and other parts of the system like the pump, radiators, and flue are some of the things covered under the full central boiler breakdown cover. Who should also include call-out, parts, and labor in this plan?
A yearly safety check and service may also be part of the plan; if it isn’t, you can include it as an extra. You can use uSwitch to compare different boiler covers from the array of suppliers available online.
What are the perks associated with using boiler cover?
With boiler breakdown cover, you are saved from the worry of looking for a boiler engineer when there is an emergency which in the long run ensures that you don’t have to be without heat or water for long.
It is not always easy or cheap to fix problems related to central heating, so with a heating cover, you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that everything is taken care of. It can also help you avoid an unplanned bill for repair that might not be so cheap.
What is not covered under my boiler cover?
What is included or not vary according to the boiler cover plan involved?
Some boiler cover plans provide you with unlimited cover and claims every year. At the same time, others include a higher financial limit and limit the number of call-outs available yearly.
Some things like scale build-up damage to your boiler and heating system are not included in some boiler plans.
How do I decide which boiler cover level to go for?
Your risk level is what determines the level of boiler cover you choose. A person in a newly built home where everything is new, for example, might not need more than the basic, cheap cover. But who will advise a person with an older home to go with a fuller cover because, in this case, the fuller cover is a better option for such a person?
How are the prices for boiler cover plans determined?
The prices differ greatly and can be influenced by several factors, like:
- how big your home is
- the way you heat it
- your boiler’s age and brand
The extent of the cover involved will also influence the premium.
A boiler-only cover happens to be the cheapest alternative. You’ll spend much more to cover your entire central heating system as well as for a yearly service and oil-fired or gas boiler maintenance check. If you want to make an appraisal of boiler cover plans online, make use of our system.
What is the difference between regulated and non-regulated FCA contracts?
Heating cover plans can be referred to as service contracts, which cover a yearly inspection/service, or heating breakdown cover products, which you can include a yearly inspection and service to. The second is controlled by the independent regulator which supervises financial products known as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA),
The major difference between these two products is how the product is labeled; both the procedure for complaints and tax-service contracts are subject to VAT, while plans regulated by FCA are subject to Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) at a customary rate 5%.
Glossary
Beyond economical repair
When we say a boiler is beyond economical repair, it means that it is not economically advisable to fix such a boiler. A boiler cover company may decide to offer a one-time contribution to buy a new boiler.
Boiler
A heating device designed to produce hot water and central heat can be powered by electricity, gas, oil, or solid fuel.
Boiler breakdown cover
See Boiler cover.
Boiler cover
An insurance plan that covers the cost of fixing and maintaining your boiler as well as your central heating system.
Boiler-only cover
A type of boiler cover plan that covers just your boiler and its controls.
Boiler flue
A pipe is used to remove the poisonous gases released by the boiler.
Call-out
A home visit by a heating engineer.
Gas Safe Register
The national regulator of gas safety in the UK is known as the Gas Safe Register. The only engineers legally permitted to fix, or service boilers are those registered with Gas Safe Register.
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
An autonomous non-governmental organization empowered by the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000 to supervise the regulation of financial products.
Payment plan
A payment plan is used to outline the amount, including the time to pay for your boiler cover.
Renewal notice
The notice sent by your policyholder reminding you to renew your policy.
Whole-system cover
A type of boiler cover plan that covers your boilers, their controls, as well as the central heating system.
References
https://www.britishgas.co.uk/home-services/guides/boiler-and-central-heating-cover-article.html
https://www.baxi.co.uk/help-and-advice/heating-advice
https://www.boilerguide.co.uk/articles/boiler-service
https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/4797563/boiler-serviced-cost-repair-parts-gas-safety/
https://www.uswitch.com/boilers/guides/boiler-maintenance/
https://www.uswitch.com/boilers/guides/boiler-cover-guide/
https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/boiler-servicing-contracts/article/how-to-choose-the-best-boiler-cover
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-2867690/Households-warned-dud-heating-cover-leaves-cold.html
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-2461320/Give-British-Gas-800-boiler-cover-wont-pay-out.html