Boiler Repair Cost

Boiler repairs are something most homeowners dread. However, insight into some of the more common issues or faults can help alleviate concern, in particular about how much they typically cost to fix.

The average cost of a typical boiler repair in the UK is around £350, but costs can range from £150 to £700+. Prices are heavily dependent on the specific fault and any required parts. For example, replacing a faulty sensor may cost £120 whereas a fan replacement costs around £300.

As the price range indicates, repairing minor faults may be relatively inexpensive, while major component replacements can cost considerably more. It’s worth noting that labour and call-out charges may form a significant part of the cost, particularly if it is an emergency call-out.

All gas boiler repairs must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer, while electric boilers should only be worked on by a qualified electrician.

How Much Does Boiler Repair Cost?

Boiler repair costs vary depending on the exact nature of the problem, whether replacement parts are needed and the cost of labour in your location.

Minor Boiler Repair

A minor boiler repair, such as replacing a water temperature sensor, costs around £100-£180, while replacing a standard thermostat costs between £100-£150.

Average Boiler Repair

Average boiler repair prices are around £300-£350, with a fan replacement costing £250-£275. Replacing a printed circuit board (PCB) costs around £300.

More Substantial Repair

A substantial repair such as replacing the heat exchanger costs in the region of £500-£700. If multiple components fail due to wear and tear, the labour and material costs will be higher.

Boiler Engineer Call-out

The cost of a boiler engineer call-out depends on whether it’s a weekday request or an out-of-hours call-out. Weekday charges are around £60-£120, while emergency call-outs often cost between £100 and £200+, depending on the problem.

Hourly Labour Rates

The national average hourly rate for a boiler engineer is £50-£80 per hour, although prices in London and other cities tend to be higher.

Emergency/out-of-hours Repair

Emergency or out-of-hours repairs typically cost between £250 and £400 for common problems such as pump replacement or when there is complete failure of the heating system.

Diagnosis/fault-finding

The fee that boiler engineers charge for a non-emergency call-out typically covers their travel and the fault-finding or initial diagnosis of the problem. An average cost is £70-£90.

Parts and Labour

The cost of replacement parts to rectify a boiler issue depends on the specific problem, but prices range from £50 for a small valve to £800 for a new heat exchanger. Average labour rates are £50-£80 per hour or £250-£350 per day.

An average supply and fit cost for a typical boiler repair can fall anywhere between £100 and £500.

Many heating engineers and companies charge a separate call-out or diagnostic fee which covers travel and the initial fault-finding time. Fixing the problem and replacement parts are typically charged separately. However, this can vary between companies.

Boiler Repair Costs by Fault

A boiler is a complex piece of equipment; as such, there are several problems that can arise and require fixing.

Boiler Losing Pressure

If the boiler is losing pressure, it could be the result of simple depressurising, which costs £80-£150 for a heating engineer to rectify. However, it is simple to do yourself by using the external filling loop.

Other causes can be a leaking valve or pipe, costing £120-£300 on average; a replacement pressure relief valve, costing between £100 and £200; or replacing a water pump, at a typical cost of £150-£350.

Leaking Boiler

The source of the leak in a boiler directly impacts the cost of repairing the fault. Problems with the condensate pipe can cost from £80-£200 to fix, while replacing a pressure relief valve costs £150 on average.

Replacing a pump costs between £150 and £350, and a faulty heat exchanger costs on average £500-£700 to fix.

Boiler Not Firing Up

A boiler not igniting can have several causes, including low pressure, a frozen condensate pipe, electrical issues, worn-out components, a blocked flue or an interrupted gas supply. Costs range from £100 to rectify low pressure to £500 for a PCB replacement.

No Heating

A stuck diverter valve in a combi boiler can cause a lack of heating. Hot water can reach the taps but not the radiators. The price for fixing this problem depends on whether the valve can be cleaned and refitted or needs replacing.

A clean and refit costs between £120 and £300, while a full valve replacement is likely to cost between £200 and £450.

No Hot Water

A faulty diverter valve can also cause no hot water, meaning the heating works but nothing reaches the taps. Other causes may be low water pressure, a frozen condensate pipe, an incorrectly set timer/thermostat or an airlock.

The cost to get the problem diagnosed and resolved may be £150-£400, depending on the issue, time of callout and your location.

Boiler Making Unusual Noises

There are several reasons why a boiler may make unusual noises, including trapped air, a failing pump, limescale buildup or water pressure issues.

To diagnose the fault, a boiler engineer must attend, which costs around £60-£120 for the callout plus the cost of fixing the problem, once identified.

Radiators Not Heating Correctly

Radiators that are not heating correctly may have trapped air or a build-up of sludge.

Bleeding the radiators, releasing trapped air, helps if the top is cold but the bottom is warm and can be done as a DIY task. Having a plumber or heating engineer do this costs £80-£150.

If there is heat at the top of the radiator but not the bottom, the main reason is sludge. This requires a power flush, which costs approximately £500-£600.

Boiler Repeatedly Switching Off

A boiler that repeatedly switches off, called short-cycling, is typically triggered by a safety feature. It can be due to low water pressure, a faulty thermostat or restricted water flow. Fixing this issue typically costs between £100 and £500 depending on the exact cause.

Frozen Condensate Pipe

Frozen condensate pipes are a common problem in winter and cause the boiler to shut down. Calling out a plumber to clear the ice and reset your boiler costs around £80-£200.

Faulty Thermostat or Controls

The cost to repair or replace a faulty thermostat or boiler controls is approximately £80-£300. Final prices depend on whether the thermostat is manual, programmable or smart, as well as your location in the UK.

Prices in London and the South East may be as much as 20% higher than other parts of the UK.

Boiler Replacement Parts Costs

Where a repair is not possible or cost-effective, a replacement part is often needed. Depending on the specific brand, boiler type, model and component, prices vary. It’s possible to purchase generic parts, which some boilers accept, as well as manufacturer-specific parts with variation in pricing.

Pump

Prices for a replacement boiler pump range from £40-£60 for a standard compatible model to around £130-£250 for manufacturer-specific models.

Fan

A replacement fan for a boiler costs between £60 and £250. The price is heavily dependent on the make and model of the boiler.

Printed Circuit Board (PCB)

Homeowners needing a replacement PCB can purchase a reconditioned board for £80-£150. Alternatively, a branded model costs between £60 and £260.

Gas Valve

Purchasing a replacement gas valve costs from £85 to £160, depending on the particular brand and model of boiler.

Heat Exchanger

Heat exchangers are one of the most expensive replacement parts for a gas boiler, depending on whether it’s a main or secondary heat exchanger. Prices range from £250-£750 for a main heat exchanger and £100-£250 for a secondary one.

Expansion Vessel

The cost of an expansion vessel ranges from £45-£160, depending on the make, model and capacity. Prices also depend on whether it’s a generic part or a brand-specific expansion vessel.

Pressure Relief Valve

A universal pressure relief valve costs between £5 and £15, while a manufacturer-branded part costs £15-£60.

Diverter Valve

A replacement diverter valve may cost from £40 to £200, depending on the exact brand and model of boiler. It also depends on whether the entire valve body is needed or just the actuator motor. Some valves are made of plastic and others of brass, which also contributes to the price difference.

Thermostat

Thermostats come in a variety of styles, from manual or dial models to smart models like Hive or Nest. As a result, prices range from £15 to £200+.

Ignition Components

Several types of ignition parts may lead to gas boiler issues and need to be replaced. Ignition leads, spark electrodes and ignition control units cost from £5 to £60.

Sensors

A gas boiler may contain many sensors, including temperature, water pressure and flow sensors. Replacement costs range from £2 up to £90+, depending on the type required to fix the boiler issue.

Seals and Smaller Components

Small components such as gaskets, seals and washers serve an array of purposes as part of a gas boiler. Replacing these parts costs from less than £1 to more than £40.

All of these prices are supply-only and not supply and fit costs. It’s worth remembering that part costs vary considerably, depending on the boiler make, model, age and the availability of parts.

Generic or standard parts are also cheaper than many brand-specific or manufacturer-recommended components.

Boiler Repair Labour Costs

Parts costs contribute a significant portion to the overall price of a boiler repair, but labour costs are often the most expensive element.

Typical Hourly Rates

The typical hourly rate for a heating engineer in the UK is between £50 and £80. In London and the South East, this rate is likely to be £90-£110 per hour.

Call-out Fees

Call-out fees differ depending on the timing of the request for attendance.

Weekday call-out fees during working hours are around £60-£120. Out-of-hours fees covering attendance at night, on weekends or public holidays are £100-£200+.

Minimum Charges

Boiler engineers charge a minimum fee to cover their travel costs and initial fault-finding labour, usually covering the first hour. This charge is typically £45-£75, with higher prices in London and other large cities.

Fault-finding/diagnostic Charges

Most heating engineers charge a fault-finding fee or diagnostic charge, which allows them to identify the problem with your boiler and formulate a solution. It is essentially the same as a minimum charge, typically between £45 and £75 for the first hour.

Fixed-price Repairs

Fixed-price repairs refer to an agreement with the engineer or heating company. It involves setting a price before the work begins, which covers call-out, travel, fault-finding, labour and replacement parts. Costs range from £150 to £500.

Parts Plus Labour Pricing

Splitting a bill into parts and labour allows the homeowner to see exactly what is being charged for the replacement parts and the labour cost of the boiler engineer.

Emergency and Out-of-hours Rates

Any call-out that is outside of the normal working hours for a heating engineer or boiler technician is classed as out-of-hours. Emergency rates apply when the call-out is urgent, and the engineer needs to attend immediately. Rates range from £100 to more than £200.

Regional Differences

There are significant differences in labour costs between London and the South East compared to the remainder of the UK.

Hourly rates in the capital are £90-£110 while day rates are around £450-£550. Elsewhere, typical hourly rates are £50-£80 and day rates £250-£400.

Emergency Boiler Repair Costs

Boiler repairs are a financial blow at any time, but particularly if a problem arises outside of normal working hours.

Evening Call-outs

An evening call-out is likely to cost homeowners between £130 and £225 for the first hour. Additional time may be charged at a rate of £60 to £90+ for each subsequent hour that the repair takes.

Weekend Call-outs

Saturday daytime is potentially less costly than weekend evenings or any time on Sundays. Weekend call-out fees are generally between £100-£200+ for the first hour and a rate of £90-£150 per hour thereafter.

Bank Holidays

Public holiday call-out fees can range from £120 to £250 for the first hour and £70-£120 per hour for subsequent time resolving the problem.

Same-day/emergency Appointments

The cost of same-day or emergency appointments for a boiler issue typically includes a priority fee in addition to the standard hourly rate. Fees of between £100-£200 are typical, with hourly rates of £80-£140 thereafter.

Before booking a heating engineer, establish exactly what the initial emergency fee covers so that you know what to expect.

Exact emergency boiler repair prices are impossible to predict, due to the variety of boiler makes, models, potential repair issues and location in the UK, among other factors.

What Affects Boiler Repair Costs?

Multiple factors affect the cost of a boiler repair, including the type of fault, parts needed, boiler age and location within the UK.

Type of Fault

The specific fault within the boiler has a direct impact on the cost of repair. A simple re-pressurising of the boiler costs a lot less than replacing the heat exchanger, in terms of parts and labour.

Parts Required

How much boiler parts cost can make a significant difference to the overall repair price. For example, a boiler PCB replacement costs more than a pressure relief valve. When manufacturer-branded parts are required, rather than generic replacements, this also pushes the cost up.

Boiler Make and Model

The cost to repair a boiler is heavily dependent on the make and model. This is because there is a difference in parts prices and compatibility for various brands and types of boiler.

Boiler Age

An older boiler may be more difficult to repair, particularly if the required part has been discontinued or is difficult to source. The wear and tear on aged boilers also means that there is a probability of more than one fault occurring.

Availability of Replacement Parts

When replacement parts are scarce or have become obsolete, the boiler engineer cost increases. Labour charges go up as the engineer has to spend more time searching for the correct part or needs to make a return visit. The part itself may also be more expensive if there are fewer available.

Accessibility

Boiler breakdown costs increase if access to the boiler is difficult. Hard-to-reach boilers increase labour time if surroundings have to be dismantled to reach components, pushing up the repair fee.

Time Required to Diagnose the Fault

When the fault takes longer to diagnose, the overall price of the repair goes up. Labour is charged according to the boiler engineer's hourly rate, so the longer they’re on site, the more the labour charge will be.

Labour Rates

Labour rates vary depending on your location within the UK and even between different heating companies and boiler engineers in the same area. It’s important to ask for a quote for planned work but also to enquire what’s included in a boiler call-out fee before booking.

Location

Boiler repair labour costs and the price of replacement parts vary depending on location. Heating engineer costs in London and the South East are more expensive than in other parts of the UK. Travel time is also a consideration for those in more remote locations.

Emergency/out-of-hours Work

Any out-of-hours or emergency work on a boiler will incur a higher fee due to the requirement for immediate availability at short notice. Attendance by a heating engineer outside of normal working hours is always more expensive.

Whether Several Faults Are Present

Where more than one fault is affecting the performance of a boiler, the repair cost is likely to be higher. In addition to increased labour time to diagnose and fix these issues, the number of components to be replaced will push the price up.

Boiler Type

The repair cost is directly affected by the type of boiler involved, such as a combi, system or conventional boiler. Each type has unique internal components and different levels of design complexity, which influence the boiler repair cost.

Additional Costs

Other expenses can arise alongside boiler breakdown costs, including safety checks, repairs to radiators and annual servicing.

Boiler Servicing

Gas boiler servicing should be done annually for safety, to maintain warranty validity and to ensure any issues are spotted before they become a major problem. Landlords must, by law, have a gas safety check done to keep appliances working safely. Costs vary from £85-£120.

Power Flushing

A power flush cleans out the rust, debris and sludge from your central heating, ensuring your system is working as efficiently as possible. The cost varies depending on how many radiators you have, but expect to pay £470-£520 for a standard 3-bedroom property with 8-10 radiators.

New Thermostat/heating Controls

The cost of installing a new thermostat or heating controls is determined by the specific type chosen. A new smart thermostat costs around £180-£350 depending on the brand you select.

Manual thermostats typically cost £65-£130, while programmable models cost between £90 and £180. Fitting or replacing thermostatic radiator valves costs between £40 and £150 per valve.

Radiator Repairs

Repairing a leaking radiator costs approximately £80-£200 depending on its size and the nature of the leak. If you don’t want to do it yourself, paying a plumber to bleed your radiators costs around £80-£100.

Replacement Valves

If you need to replace a motorised valve within your central heating system, the cost is between £180 and £300 for parts and labour.

Heating System Repairs

A standard repair to the heating system can cost anything from £120 up to more than £700. The exact cost depends on the nature of the fault, the boiler make and model, call-out time, duration and the boiler engineer’s hourly rate.

Gas Safety Checks

Rented properties with a gas boiler must have an annual safety check, mandated by law. The check must be carried out by a Gas Safe engineer and typically costs around £100. Homeowners are not legally required to do a yearly check, but it is recommended.

Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Homes with any type of combustion appliance such as a gas or oil boiler, woodburner or an open fire, must have a carbon monoxide alarm. Typical costs to purchase one are £15-£25, although hard-wired smart models can be as much as £100.

Boiler Replacement If Repair Is Uneconomical

If a boiler repair cost is uneconomical, a replacement is the only alternative. The cost to install a new boiler is between £1,100 and £4,000 for a combi or system boiler and £1,750-£5,500 for a conventional boiler.

Boiler Repair vs Replacement Costs

When considering the boiler repair cost versus the expense of replacing it, there are several things to assess.

Boiler Age

Like all appliances, boilers have a lifespan, typically 10-15 years. When a boiler reaches this age, the chances of component failure increase with each passing year.

Older boilers are also less efficient, and parts become more difficult to find. The cost of repeated repairs can quickly become uneconomical, as wear and tear takes its toll.

Cost of the Proposed Repair

It’s sensible to weigh up the cost of the proposed repair against the cost of replacing the boiler. It’s advisable to also take into account the boiler’s age and current efficiency before making a decision.

Frequency of Previous Breakdowns

Repeated boiler breakdowns, along with the cost of repairs and associated disruption to family life, are a serious consideration when comparing the financial implications of repair versus replacement.

Availability of Parts

Consider the availability of replacement parts for your current boiler, especially if it’s an older model. Components get harder to source and often more expensive to purchase as the boiler ages.

Boiler Condition

If the boiler is in good condition and not particularly old, a repair is often more economical than a replacement. A boiler in poor condition may not be efficient and can be prone to repeated faults, costing you more in the long term than a new boiler.

Existing Efficiency

The efficiency of your current boiler is a major factor in how much you pay for your heating and hot water. If the boiler is inefficient, your energy costs can often outweigh the price of installing a new, more efficient boiler.

Warranty Status

The status of the boiler warranty is important when considering the cost of repair versus replacement. Most boilers have a 2-10 year warranty with the condition that it’s serviced every year. If the warranty is still valid, the boiler repair cost may be covered. However, not all faults are eligible, so it’s important to check before committing to a repair.

Expected Remaining Lifespan

When deciding whether to repair or replace a boiler, think about the expected remaining lifespan of the unit. Whether it’s 5 years or 10 years old can make a significant difference to the economic sense of either fixing it or replacing it.

The cost to replace an existing combi boiler with a new combi is between £1,200 and £3,500. Changing from a conventional boiler, fed by a cold water tank in the loft, to a system boiler, fed from the mains, costs £2,500-£4,500.

How Long Does a Boiler Repair Take?

Having a boiler out of action is a major inconvenience, with no hot water or heating, especially in winter. So quite often, the second question homeowners have, after ‘how much does it cost to fix a boiler’, is ‘how long does it take to repair’?

Diagnosis/fault Finding

Most heating engineers can diagnose the fault within the first hour or less, depending on its complexity. Simple issues may be spotted within 15 minutes, while more involved problems can take an hour or more.

Minor Repairs

Small repairs like fixing a frozen condensate pipe are among the quickest issues to rectify. A powerflush is a straightforward solution to a build-up of sludge in the heating system. While it is a relatively simple process, it can nevertheless take several hours to complete.

Component Replacement

Once the cause of the fault is known, replacing one or more components may rectify the problem. Depending on the part, such as replacing a diverter valve, the work can take 2-3 hours, while replacing a faulty thermostat can be done within 1-2 hours.

More Complicated Repairs

Complicated repairs such as boiler heat exchanger replacement cost more and also take longer to complete. The system needs to be drained down, gas and water disconnected, and the part swapped, all of which can take several hours.

Repairs Where Parts Need to Be Ordered

When a part is not readily available and needs to be ordered, it delays completion of the repair. The boiler engineer will need to book a return visit to fit the part once it’s available.

Initial visits may often be purely diagnostic, particularly if the replacement part needed to effect a repair is not carried by the heating engineer.

Does Boiler Insurance Cover Repairs?

When considering how much a boiler repair costs, it’s tempting to think boiler insurance will cover everything. However, it’s not always as simple as that.

Boiler Cover

Boiler cover insurance typically pays for the cost of repairing the boiler in the event of a breakdown, replacement parts and the engineer’s labour. Some policies include an annual service.

Home Emergency Cover

As an optional extra in your home insurance policy, emergency cover pays for boiler and heating breakdown among other things. It typically covers an emergency boiler repair cost, including call-out charges.

Manufacturer Warranties

Most major boiler manufacturers typically offer a warranty of between 2 and 10 years, with some extending to 12 years and others only to 5 years.

The boiler must be registered within 30 days of installation; it has to be fitted by a Gas Safe engineer and must be serviced annually for the warranty to be valid.

Home Insurance

A standard home insurance policy doesn’t cover boiler breakdown. Homeowners need to have dedicated boiler cover or home emergency cover.

Common Exclusions

Some common exclusions to boiler cover include pre-existing faults, lack of regular servicing, boilers more than 7 years old for replacement or older than 15 years for any type of cover.

In addition, a build-up of sludge or limescale in the system is typically a cause for exclusion unless homeowners pay for additional coverage or a powerflush.

Not all policies provide the same level of cover, and it’s important to check your own policy or manufacturer warranty before paying for a repair.

Can I Repair a Boiler Myself?

Work on gas boilers or any gas-fuelled appliance must be carried out by someone who is legally permitted and appropriately registered to do such work. Only those individuals and companies that are listed on the Gas Safe Register are permitted to work on gas appliances.

Homeowners can undertake basic external checks on their boiler, including topping up the pressure via the filling loop, inspecting the external flue to ensure there are no blockages, testing carbon monoxide alarms monthly and bleeding radiators.

Boiler manufacturers may recommend non-invasive checks and maintenance, and nothing outside of these checks should be done. Specifically, homeowners should not open, dismantle or modify their boiler.

Signs Your Boiler May Need Repairing

Several issues may indicate that your boiler needs repairing.

No Heating or Hot Water

A lack of heating or hot water is a clear indication that there is a problem with your boiler. A heating engineer is often needed to diagnose the exact problem, as there may be one of several causes.

Boiler Losing Pressure Repeatedly

A boiler that is repeatedly losing pressure and needs regular topping up via the filling loop requires attention. There may be a water leak, or a faulty internal component may be responsible.

Leaks

There are many causes of water leaks in a boiler, and all indicate that a repair is needed by a heating engineer. Gas leaks should be immediately reported to the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

Unusual Noises

Noises such as whistling, banging, gurgling, humming or vibration signal a problem with your boiler which should be investigated promptly by an engineer.

Unexpected Shutdowns

An unexpected shutdown is typically a safety issue and can have many causes, including low water pressure, ignition faults, overheating, a frozen condensate pipe or a faulty thermostat.

Error Codes

Error codes indicate different issues that may be affecting your boiler. Manufacturers’ user manuals or online guides specify what each code relates to.

Heating Taking Unusually Long to Warm Up

When your heating takes a long time to warm up, there may be an issue with your boiler, such as low pressure or low flow temperature.

Problems with Controls

Issues with heating or boiler controls can be a blank or frozen control screen or a mechanical issue such as a seized motorised zone valve. Larger problems may be connected to the PCB.

FAQs