How much should a boiler service be?

[HMTheQueen]

I've just had a call from NPower (my supplier) offering a check on our energy efficiency. Turns out we're about as efficient as we can be!

One of the things he asked about though, was when was our boiler last serviced. I only bought the place in January, so haven't done one yet. I was thinking I should sometime in the new year? How often should it be done? How much should it cost? Should I have one of those insurance/call out boiler people? Or should I just find someone in the yellow pages? It's only about 4 years old so it's not ancient....

Grrr - I'm so bad at all this DIY/house owning stuff!

[mamaloco]

I do it once every year serviced by a local plumber.
usually sept (before putting the heating on IYSWIM)
Can't remember the exact price but it is quite cheap (25 pounds?)

[HMTheQueen]

Oh - only £25ish? I was think at least a hundred quid! What a nice surprise! Thanks

[eemie]

Just paid £80 which seemed reasonable to me as it was two hours' work. He explained what he was doing as he went along and none of it was timewasting.

[Rocinante]

We get it serviced once a year.

For cost, it probably depends on where you live; we're in East Anglia and it just cost us £56 plus £12 renewal of a jet spray (?. I expect if you're in London it would be double that.

We initially used someone who advertised locally, then got a cheaper quote from Boilerjuice and just go directly to him now.

[ragged]

Mine was 58 the other day -- also rural East Anglia, oil-fired boiler. Gas boilr cheaper, maybe?

[Eddas]

I would imagine the cost would depend on the type of boiler(gas/oil/electric), where you live.

I would never just randomly call a Yellow Pages person. Maybe ask next door if they have someone they use regularly or other friends in the area. Or if you can't do that call a local plumbers merchant and ask them for a few plumbers numbers. They will know them all and will only suggest people they trust (dh works in a plumbing merchant!)

We had our boiler serviced in Sept/Oct, we're oil and it should be done once a year as oil clogs up if not done regularly. We used a friend of dh and it cost £100-150 (I can't remeber and it was only a few months ago )

[panettoinydog]

Local guy services our boiler annually and cleans/checks over the gas fire for £48

[HMTheQueen]

We've got a combi-boiler and as it's relatively new, I don't imagine it would be too arduous... I think I'll check for any local recommendations from the girls at work rather than the Yellow Pages.

And as I'm in Surrey, I'll budget at least £100 just in case...

[thegirlwiththemouseyhair]

I'm a BIG fan of British Gas Home Care agreements!
Might seem expensive for £58 a month (that includes kitchen appliance care so you could knock a third off if you don't want that) BUT you get a free annual service for boiler and all radiators checked. Also covers wiring and plumbing. If parts are needed they are replaced as part of the agreement - I have had all sorts of bits replaced.
You don't pay a call out or labour charge if anything goes wrong.

I know it's saved me loads over the years.

[ChoudeBruxelles]

Just paid £40.

[Cyb]

I have British gas a repair thingy too

I pay about £15 a month

Is TOTALLY worth it