Find A Boiler Engineer Near Me

When it comes to boiler installation or replacement, it’s not as easy or straightforward as getting the boiler working. There are various installation and safety protocols that have to be followed to make the boiler safe for you and your home. As such, all boiler and heating engineers are required to meet certain standards to be considered professionals in the field. These include:

• The engineer has to be registered with Gas Safe. This requires training and qualifications to work with gas.
• Insurance for the heating engineer works to protect against accidents or damage to your home.

Even though we vet all our partners and make sure they meet the standards that have been set by Gas Safe, there are a few questions you should ask just to be sure and to put any concerns you have at ease. Some of the questions you should ask include:

• Are you trained, registered and certified by Gas Safe?
• How many years of experience do you have in my locality and are there any references you can provide for verification?
• Do you have a public liability insurance cover?
• Which of the types of boilers would be best for my home? (There might be some follow-up questions from the engineer so as to provide you with accurate and comprehensive answers).
• If you have chosen your type of boiler, you can ask about the cost of the boiler
• Which boiler is the most reliable, efficient and easiest to maintain?

Before any gas heating engineer can begin practising their trade, they have to be legally qualified as gas engineers entitled to work on domestic gas appliances which require for the individuals and the businesses to be registered with Gas Safe.

If the expert is not registered with Gas Safe, it is illegal for them to install or repair any gas appliances in your home. Gas Safe is tasked with the mandate of ensuring that the gas-safety regulations are maintained. These regulations are amended regularly, and all registered members are required to abide by them to guarantee the highest levels of safety.

To be Gas Safe registered, the engineers have to go through training and testing to make sure they meet the requirements and understand the standards of installations that are safe and promote energy efficiency.

By hiring a Gas Safe registered local heating engineer, you’re not only guaranteed of proper and quality boiler installation, maintenance and repair but safety in your home when running the appliances.

• They are more accessible and easier to talk to face to face.
• You have plenty of references you can use to verify the quality of their services. You can also get reviews easily.
• Local gas engineers are more responsible for their work and provide quality results because their customer pool is limited, and they don’t want to taint their name.
• You get better quality work and service because the boiler experts are concerned about their reputation.
• You grow the local economy providing jobs and growing other businesses in the community.

We have laid down extensive networks across the country to help you choose the appropriate boiler engineer to help you with any issue you might be facing. Here at Compare the Boiler Market, shield you from wannabe engineers who might fester the damage further. However, in championing the DIY spirit, here is a few measures you can take.

• Compare quotes

Doing some background checking and coming up with several specialists is essential. You can then contact them and get their quotes and prices, which will ensure you get a competitive price for high-quality service. Remember that jobs such as installations and repairs could dent your finances; therefore, contacting various pockets will help you stick to your budget.

• Ensure the heating engineer is Gas Safe

Boiler repairs and installations are a high-stake ordeal, and therefore you cannot afford to have unqualified engineers operating your system. Engineers registered to Gas Safe are qualified and competent. Therefore, always make a point to ascertain they are legit, which you can do by checking their credential via the Gas Safe website.

• Check ratings, reviews and testimonials of other customers.

The internet has aided eCommerce tremendously. Now customers can give feedback and their general views of a product, which also goes for boilers. After getting quotes from several boiler specialists, you can try to read reviews of other customers to get an overview of their satisfaction levels. Numbers don’t lie, and subsequently, those with higher ratings are engineers worth their salt. Try to utilize third party websites on reviews as they are more authentic.

• Choose reputable engineers

After getting quotes from different boiler engineers and having a rough idea of the price ranges, it’s up to you to decide. However, excessively low quotes are enticing, but you should do more research before buying into the idea. It is prudent to always stick with a competitive price and good reputation.

• A boiler engineer should have insurance.

An engineer should have public liability insurance. This aspect is equally essential in also gauging their qualification status. Therefore, if an engineer’s work leads to damage, you are covered and will receive compensation worth the damage.

The simple answer is no. All Safe Gas engineers have a list of specializations they are qualified to undertake. The minimum qualification is usually pipework; however, boiler engineers do have a range of qualifications they can engage in. The different qualifications may entail domestic and commercial premises, LPG and Natural Gas, or other types of heating systems like the boiler, cookers, etc.

All Gas Safe engineers have a list of tasks they are qualified for on the back of their IDs; therefore, it is easy to counter check. You can also use the unique license number in front of their IDs to look them up on the Gas Safe website.

Although heating engineers, gas engineers and plumbers can sometimes seem to do the same type of work, they are different professions with different specializations. A heating engineer mainly specializes in repairing and maintaining heating systems such as boilers, radiators, hot water cylinders, pipework, and thermostats.

As the name suggests, a gas engineer usually deals with the gas appliances in a boiler like the central gas heating, the gas hob, and the gas cooker. Gas engineers are also well-equipped for boiler repairs and can work closely with heating engineers. Finally, plumbers deal with installations that include water.

Several factors are likely to come into play and affect the final cost of finding an engineer. You should consider the factors below to adjust your budget, especially for repair services appropriately.

• Time is taken to identify and fix a problem.

A problem found and repaired quickly might cost less than when repairs take several hours to fix. Depending on whether the engineer demands to be paid on an hourly basis, you can see a more extended problem to solve will directly take more time to fix and consequently cost you more. It also depends if the engineer charges a minimum fee or not.

For instance, if an engineer charges a minimum of £150 for any services they partake in, a simple repair could be costly and unfair. That is why it is essential to compare quotes and have the cost of hiring an engineer beforehand.

• Replacement parts

Apart from the labour costs, you need also to consider parts that need replacement. Some parts are more expensive than others. For instance, pressure relief can fetch between £9 and £40, while a new timer can cost between £50 and £175.

• Emergencies or Standard terms

If you need the work done as soon as possible, it could attract a call-out fee, which in most cases it is between £100 and £150. The hourly rates are also likely to be slightly higher.

How can I save cash when finding a boiler engineer?

The whole ordeal of either replacing or repairing a boiler could dig deep into your saving. A boiler is a necessity rather than a luxury, especially during the winter. Therefore, the financial blow of replacing one when yours breaks down is inevitable. However, you could use a few tips to keep the cost as low as possible.

The most important is comparing several quotes. This way, you can see and appropriately choose the best possible deal for yourself. You can also try finding a heating engineer who does not charge a call-out fee or gives a fixed price quote for repairs. Fixed prices could prove very costly if the issue is minor as you still have to pay the agreed-upon fixed amount, which is usually high.

You can also take a monthly service contract if the boiler is out of guarantee. Henceforth, if a problem arises, you only need to pay the excess you have on your policy. Therefore, costly repairs won’t catch you unawares. Taking a yearly maintenance contract is also an excellent idea. You need to pay a certain sum every month, and a boiler engineer can visit you once the year elapses.

Yearly services will help you maintain your boiler at the optimal condition as arising problems are dealt with early on, Potentially saving you thousands of pounds in replacement costs or expensive repairs.

Not quite. It is usual for installation companies and engineers to ask for some upfront payment, especially with large jobs. However, it is seldom the total cost and only in some cases may be half the price required upfront. So, if your specialist is asking for the total cost, you are better off reviewing your quotes for a new boiler engineer.

Paying a small sum upfront and paying the rest after a satisfactory job has been done has always been the common practice when it comes to boiler installation.

Not all installation companies or engineers charge a call-out fee. Quotes will be instrumental in this matter as you get to avoid unnecessary costs and stick to your budget. However, some engineers may require a call-out fee for particular services on their policies, like emergency calls for repairs. In these cases, it is a legal law under Consumer Contracts for the engineer to make it clear they are charging you for a separate visit from any work they may undertake once they assess the issue.

The survey is vital for installing, replacing or even repairing a boiler. Through the survey, you get your facts right on your budget and the best personnel for the work at hand. A boiler engineer will assess all that is required to complete an installation. Things like the space allocation and your home’s heating needs could play some factor.

Based on their considerable knowledge, they ought to advise you on the most suitable appliance required, any parts that come with it and provide you with a precise quote of the cost. A survey takes about an hour, and your engineer is ready to lay it all down for you.

After new installations, the installing company will need to register your boiler for insurance purposes with the manufacturer. If you are in a rental, they will require your landlord’s details to register for a warranty. The boiler is also registered with Gas Safe, the industry body for gas safety and standards.

You should receive a notification within 2 to 3 weeks of the building regulations compliance certificate. If you do not get the notification within the said time, you should contact your installer immediately for them to make further contacts with Gas Safe on your behalf.

It is the norm to adopt the “no fix, no pay” policy as you and the engineer have a contract that they fix the boiler with a warranty, and you pay the agreed-upon amount. There have been cases citing engineers who failed to fix the problem but demanded payment anyway. It is unlawful, and they would be in big trouble if taken to the small claim court.

The only fees you are obligated to pay regardless of the repair outcome are the call-out and diagnostic costs. Both of which should be stated beforehand by the engineer.

Most reputable installer companies and engineers give one-year parts and labour warranty specifically to the parts they replaced but not inclusive of the whole boiler. When dealing with old existing parts, engineers act to prevent further damages, and it is unlikely they cause issues like minor leaks while doing repairs. However, you should report any suspected leaking attributed to the engineer’s work early on for a possible warranty recall.