60-second summary
Want a brief overview? Here are the key things you need to know about boiler repair costs.
The average cost for repairing a boiler is around £550. Emergency boiler repairs can cost up to £700.
Factors that affect boiler repair costs include age and type of boiler, where you live and what type of repair it needs.
If you have home emergency cover, check to see if your policy includes emergency boiler repair.
Another option is to get boiler cover with a boiler care plan that includes repairs and an annual service.
Boiler insurance can range from around £4 a month for a basic care plan up to £20 a month for a comprehensive plan.
How much does it cost to get a boiler fixed?
How much it costs to fix your boiler will depend on a range of factors, including where you live, what kind of boiler you have and what the problem is.
You can expect to pay anywhere between £100 and £1,000 to fix a broken boiler. That makes the average cost around £550. Emergency boiler repairs may cost between £200 and £700.
Quotes can also vary enormously depending on who you get to do the job. You may find that your local heating engineer charges much less than someone from a big-name boiler manufacturer. That’s why it’s always worth calling around and getting a few quotes.
Who should I call to fix my boiler?
If your boiler breaks, you’ll need to call out a registered heating engineer. Your boiler manufacturer may send one out free of charge if your boiler is still under warranty. Otherwise, you’ll need to track down a trusted local trader.
If you have a gas boiler: repairs must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Only they are legally allowed to work on gas boilers. Use the Gas Safe Register to find a Gas Safe engineer in your area.
If you have an oil boiler: you’ll need an OFTEC registered technician. Find an OFTEC registered technician in your area.
If you have boiler cover in place or have home emergency cover as part of your home insurance, then check the policy first. You may need to follow a particular procedure and use a recommended engineer to get your callout covered.
Can I fix my boiler?
If your boiler is broken, you should get professional help. Don’t attempt to fix it yourself.
Before you call out a professional engineer to solve a problem, there are some basic checks you could do yourself:
If your boiler displays an ‘error’ message or warning light, check the manufacturer’s guide to find out what it means.
Test other appliances, such as the hob. If they’re not working either, you may find the problem is a tripped fuse.
Has there been a power cut? If so, your boiler might have reset.
Turn up your thermostat. If the thermostat is set below 21 degrees, the boiler may not kick in.
Does your boiler have low pressure? If the pressure bar is below 1, you’ll need to increase it to between 1 and 1.5 bar.
Is the pilot light on? If not, reset the boiler.
If you’ve made all these checks and your boiler’s still not working, it could be time to call out a qualified heating engineer.
What are the signs that my boiler needs repairing?
Acting promptly could mean a simple, cheaper repair job rather than costly repairs or boiler replacement further down the line.
Here are some early warning signs that your boiler may need to be repaired or replaced:
Banging or clanking noises
Leaks
Unusual smells
Continuously low pressure
The pilot light turns yellow instead of blue
Frequent breakdowns.
Did you know?
Faulty boilers are one of the most common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is odourless and invisible. But it can be deadly. CO poisoning causes around 30 deaths each year in England and Wales.
Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea and shortness of breath. Signs of a carbon monoxide leak include dark staining around the boiler and a yellow, flickering pilot light.
If you suspect your boiler is leaking carbon monoxide, call the free National Gas Helpline immediately on 0800 111 999.
What factors can affect boiler repair costs?
A number of factors can affect boiler repair costs. These include:
Age and condition of boiler – older and poorly maintained boilers are more prone to costly breakdowns than newer, regularly serviced boilers. It can also be harder to find replacement parts for outdated models.
Type of boiler – modern combi-boilers have more advanced technology, so may be more expensive to repair than simple conventional boilers. The price of parts can also vary between brands of boilers.
Type of problem – a small leak will typically be much cheaper to repair than damage to the heat exchanger.
Engineer rates – some engineers charge by the hour, while others may charge a fixed price. This could make a big difference if it’s a long repair job.
Callout charge – some companies charge a callout fee on top of parts and labour.
Where you live – repair costs may vary between different regions. For example, you may pay more for boiler repairs in London than in other parts of the UK.
Are boiler repairs covered by home insurance?
Most standard home insurance policies won’t cover repairs if your boiler breaks down. But you might be covered if your boiler is damaged because of an insured event, like a fire, storm or flood.
You could add home emergency cover as an optional extra to your home insurance. This should cover emergency boiler repairs.
Another option is to take out dedicated boiler cover from a specialist home care provider. You’ll pay a monthly sum and get your boiler repaired under a boiler care plan.
Depending on the plan you choose, boiler care could include:
Unlimited engineer callout charges
Annual servicing
Parts and labour
Annual boiler service
24-hour emergency helpline
Discounted replacement if your boiler has a major fault or is beyond economical repair
Plumbing drains and electrics.
Should I get boiler cover?
Fixing or replacing a broken boiler can be very expensive, so having boiler cover in place could give you peace of mind and help you avoid a big boiler repair bill.
You might find boiler cover especially useful if you’re a landlord. That way, if something goes wrong with your tenant’s boiler, you’ll be able to get it fixed quickly and reassure your tenant without landing yourself with a hefty, unexpected bill.
Our boiler care partner Hometree will also cover you for the annual gas safety check, which is mandatory for landlords.
Will boiler cover include the cost of replacing my boiler?
Some policies will cover the cost of replacing your boiler if it can’t be repaired, but other boiler care plans will only pay a percentage towards the cost.
The same may apply if you have home emergency cover. So, check the policy to see if replacement or part replacement is included.
How much is boiler insurance?
The cost of boiler insurance depends on the type of boiler you have and the level of cover you want.
A basic plan could start from as little as £4 a month. Comprehensive plans, which include repairs to your boiler, central heating system, pipes, drains and electrics, will be more expensive, and could start from around £20 a month.
It’s worth shopping around and comparing boiler insurance, rather than automatically signing up for a plan from your energy provider. This could help you find the package you need without paying over the odds.
How long does a boiler last?
How long your boiler lasts will vary, depending on its age, make and how you use it. But you could help to lengthen your boiler’s natural lifespan by:
Getting your boiler regularly serviced. You could expect to pay around £80-£120 for an annual boiler service. And it could save you money in the long run. Some boiler cover policies include the cost of an annual service.
Insulating your pipes. Wrapping your pipes in insulating foam will stop them freezing during cold snaps.
How much does a new boiler cost?
How much you pay for your new boiler will depend on many factors, not least the make and model you go for. The price of a boiler will also depend on the type you buy – whether that’s oil, gas or a combi. See more, including typical prices, in our guide to new boiler costs.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants
You may be able to get a grant towards the cost of installing a low carbon heating system through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).
You could apply for:
£7,500 towards a new ground source heat pump
£7,500 towards a new air source heat pump
£5,000 towards a new biomass boiler.
The scheme is scheduled to run until 2028 in England and Wales. Different energy efficiency grants and loans are available in
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FAQs
What type of boiler should I buy?
The best boiler for you depends on the type of home you have.
If you live in a small, modern flat, you may only need a cheaper combi-boiler. But if yours is a big period house with many bathrooms, you might need something like a conventional boiler that gives you more heat output.
Your choices may also be restricted by whether you have gas to your premises or not.
How much does a boiler cost to replace?
Prices can vary and will depend on where you live and what model you choose. But the average cost for a boiler replacement is between £1,600-£6,000.
How long does it take to repair or replace a boiler?
It depends on what’s wrong with the boiler. Something simple, such as repressurising the system, could take just a few minutes. But if your boiler needs replacing it could take up to a day or more.
Should I repair or replace a back boiler?
Due to modern building regulations, back boilers can no longer be repaired. If your back boiler breaks down, it will need to be replaced with a modern, efficient boiler.
Back boilers, which are fitted behind open fireplace hearths, have been phased out since 2005. However, many older UK homes still use these older, inefficient heating systems.
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As well as writing for Churchill and Privilege insurance websites, Karen’s CV includes working with M&S, Debenhams, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and John Lewis. With over 20 years of editorial experience for big household names she leads a talented content team with a focus on simplifying personal finance for everybody.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.
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