Boiler Service Cost UK 2026
What You Pay and What You Get
A boiler service costs £80 to £120. Skipping it can cost you thousands in emergency repairs and voided warranties. Here is the full breakdown.
Updated April 2026
One-off service
£80 - £120
National average
Local Gas Safe engineer
£60 - £90
Cheapest option
National company
£90 - £150
British Gas, HomeServe etc.
What a Boiler Service Includes
Included in a standard service
- Visual inspection of the boiler and flue
- Flue gas analysis (combustion efficiency check)
- Gas pressure and flow rate test
- Heat exchanger inspection
- Condensate trap and pipe check
- Controls and thermostat check
- Gas Safe certificate issued
NOT included
- Powerflush or system clean (separate job, £300-500)
- Replacement parts (charged extra)
- Radiator balancing or bleeding
- Thermostat replacement or upgrade
- Full system inspection (radiators, pipes)
Provider Comparison
| Provider | One-off Service | Includes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Gas | £99 | Visual, flue gas, certificate | Upsells HomeCare plan. 30-45 min visit. |
| HomeServe | £120 | Full inspection, certificate | Often bundled with cover plans. |
| SSE Energy Services | £60 | Basic service, certificate | Cheapest national. Often part of a plan deal. |
| Local Gas Safe engineer | £60 - £90 | Full service, certificate | Best value. Check Gas Safe Register to verify. |
| Checkatrade engineer | £70 - £100 | Full service, certificate | Reviewed engineers. Price varies by area. |
Boiler Cover vs Pay-Per-Service
| Factor | Boiler Cover | Pay-Per-Service |
|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | £120 - £300/year | £80 - £120/year |
| Annual service | Included | This is what you pay for |
| Breakdown callouts | Included (usually unlimited) | £150 - £300 per callout |
| Replacement parts | Included (up to limits) | Charged at full price |
| Best for | Boilers 5+ years old | New boilers under warranty |
| Worst value for | New boilers still under manufacturer warranty | Old boilers that break down often |
Our analysis: Boiler cover only makes financial sense if you expect a breakdown every 2-3 years. For boilers under 5 years old with a manufacturer warranty, pay-per-service saves £40 to £180 per year. For boilers over 8-10 years old where parts are wearing out, boiler cover provides peace of mind and can save hundreds on individual repairs.
Service Cost by Region
| Region | Typical Service Cost |
|---|---|
| London | £95 - £130 |
| South East | £85 - £120 |
| South West | £75 - £105 |
| Midlands | £70 - £100 |
| North West | £65 - £95 |
| North East | £60 - £90 |
| Yorkshire | £65 - £95 |
| Scotland | £65 - £95 |
| Wales | £65 - £95 |
What Happens If You Skip Servicing
Efficiency drops
A boiler that has not been serviced for 3 years can lose 5-15% efficiency, adding £50 to £150 per year to your gas bills.
Warranty voided
Most manufacturers require annual servicing to maintain the warranty. Miss one service and a £500+ repair becomes your responsibility.
Safety risk
Carbon monoxide leaks from poorly maintained boilers cause roughly 60 deaths per year in the UK. A service includes a CO safety check.
Expensive emergencies
An emergency callout costs £150 to £300. A planned annual service costs £80 to £120. Prevention is always cheaper than cure.
When Should You Service Your Boiler?
Once a year, every year. The best time is late summer or early autumn (August to October), before the heating season starts. Bookings are easier to get and some engineers offer off-peak discounts.
Landlords: You are legally required to get an annual gas safety check (CP12 certificate) on every gas appliance in a rental property. This must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer and a copy must be provided to tenants within 28 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a boiler service every year?
Yes. Annual servicing maintains efficiency, keeps your warranty valid, and checks for safety issues including carbon monoxide leaks. Most boiler manufacturers require annual servicing as a condition of the warranty.
Will skipping a service void my warranty?
Almost certainly. Worcester Bosch, Vaillant, Viessmann, Baxi, and Ideal all require proof of annual servicing to honour warranty claims. One missed service can void a 10 or 12-year warranty, leaving you liable for the full cost of any repairs.
Is British Gas boiler cover worth it?
British Gas HomeCare costs £28 to £35/month (£336-420/year) for their full plan. For a new boiler under manufacturer warranty, this is poor value since the warranty already covers repairs. For boilers over 5-8 years old without warranty, it provides peace of mind but is expensive. A local engineer's annual service (£60-90) plus a repair fund is often cheaper.
What is a CP12 certificate?
A CP12 (also called a Gas Safety Certificate or Landlord Gas Safety Record) is a legal document confirming that all gas appliances in a rental property have been checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Landlords must get one every 12 months. The check costs £60 to £90 per appliance.