How much does boiler repair cost?

The price of a boiler repair depends on what has failed, how long it takes to find the fault and whether the part is easy to get. The figures below are typical ranges from several UK price guides, checked in October 2026. They are a guide to help you judge a quote, not a fixed price. Every engineer sets their own rates.

Safety: Never try to repair a gas boiler yourself or open its casing. Only a Gas Safe registered engineer can legally work on it. If you smell gas or think there could be carbon monoxide, open windows, get everyone out into fresh air and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

What is the typical boiler repair cost in the UK?

Housekeep says most boiler repairs fall between about £150 and £400 including VAT, with the full range running from around £120 to £600 or more. Small fixes, such as replacing a sensor or sorting out a pressure problem, sit at the bottom. Jobs that need a large part sit at the top.

Most of the bill is labour plus parts. Checkatrade, MyBuilder and MyJobQuote all put a gas engineer's typical hourly rate at about £50 to £80 across the UK, with parts charged on top.

How much is a boiler engineer call-out?

Many engineers charge a call-out or diagnostic fee that covers the visit and the first stretch of work. Typical figures from the price guides are:

• Weekday call-out: around £60 to £120, according to MyJobQuote.
• Emergency or same-day call-out: around £100 to £180 including VAT, often covering the first hour, according to Housekeep.
• Out-of-hours call-out: from about £100 to £200 or more, according to MyJobQuote.
• A complete emergency repair, including the urgent call-out and out-of-hours charges: typically £225 to £675, according to both Checkatrade and MyBuilder.

Citizens Advice suggests always asking whether an engineer will charge to come to your home and give you a quote. It's worth asking what the call-out fee includes before you book.

How much do common boiler parts cost to replace?

Price guides list different figures for the same parts, because prices depend on the make and model and whether the part is the manufacturer's own. Use these as rough ranges:

• Diverter valve, fitted: around £200 to £450, according to MyJobQuote. This valve switches between heating and hot water, so a fault often means one works and the other doesn't.
• Fan, fitted: around £225 to £275, according to MyBuilder.
• Gas valve, fitted: around £180 to £220, according to Checkatrade.
• Pump: the part alone is about £40 to £60 for a standard compatible model, or £130 to £250 for a manufacturer-specific one, plus labour, according to MyJobQuote.
• Printed circuit board (PCB): the part alone is around £60 to £260, plus labour, according to MyJobQuote. Housekeep groups PCB replacement with major repairs that can cost £500 to £1,000 or more.
• Heat exchanger: around £400 to £750, according to MyBuilder. This is usually the most expensive single part.

Ask the engineer to separate parts and labour on the quote. It makes quotes easier to compare and shows whether a cheaper compatible part is an option.

Is boiler repair more expensive in Berkshire and the South East?

Usually, yes. Housekeep says repairs in London and the South East can cost around 20% more than the UK average because of higher labour and travel costs. MyJobQuote puts London and South East hourly rates at about £90 to £110, compared with £50 to £80 elsewhere. If you live in Berkshire, expect quotes towards the upper end of the UK ranges above.

What makes a boiler repair cost more?

• Time to find the fault. Some problems are obvious. Others take a while to trace, and you pay for that time.
• The part itself. Manufacturer parts usually cost more than compatible ones, and parts for older or rarer boilers can be hard to find.
• When you need the work done. Evenings, weekends and bank holidays usually cost more.
• Access. A boiler in a tight cupboard or loft can take longer to work on.
• Return visits. If the part has to be ordered, the engineer may need to come back.

Should I repair or replace my boiler?

There is no single rule. Checkatrade suggests replacement may be better value if repairs are frequent, parts are hard to find, the boiler is very old, it runs inefficiently or your heating bills keep rising. For an older boiler that has otherwise been reliable, a minor repair can still be worth doing if parts are available.

Price guides generally put a boiler's typical life at around 10 to 15 years. A new boiler is a much bigger outlay than most repairs. MyJobQuote puts a replacement combi or system boiler at roughly £1,100 to £4,000, so ask the engineer for an honest view on how much life your current boiler has left before deciding.

How can I keep boiler repair costs down?

• Check your cover first. Citizens Advice says to check for a warranty, home emergency or boiler cover, and insurance before you pay for a repair.
• Do the safe checks before calling anyone. A setting, a power problem or low pressure can stop a boiler, and our guide to having no heating explains what you can safely check.
• Get more than one quote for non-urgent work, as Citizens Advice recommends.
• Have the boiler serviced every year. Our guide to how often a boiler should be serviced explains what a service covers and why it matters.
• If you rent, tell your landlord. Citizens Advice says they're responsible for repairing or replacing the boiler.

How do I choose a boiler engineer?

Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer. Citizens Advice says to only get quotes from engineers or businesses on the Gas Safe Register. When the engineer arrives, ask to see their Gas Safe ID card. The Gas Safe Register says to check the photo matches the person, the card is in date and the back lists the type of work you need, such as domestic boilers. You can also check an engineer on the Gas Safe Register website.