Boiler repair, one-off or under a plan
A boiler that's given up is stressful, but you're in the right place. Run a few safe checks below first, and if it still won't fire, call 0333 772 6247 and we'll book a Gas Safe registered engineer. One-off repair visits run Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00, with a £95 call-out fee. A service plan, not insurance.
What are my options for boiler repair?
Gas boiler repair usually means one of two routes: a one-off visit you pay for now, or a repair handled under a cover plan you already hold. For a fault today, run the safe checks below, then call 0333 772 6247 and we'll book a Gas Safe registered engineer to diagnose and fix it.
Smart Plan is a home service plan, not insurance, run by UK Boiler Company Ltd, trading since 2014. You don't need a cover plan to book a one-off repair, and if the checks below get your heating going again, you may not need us at all.
Smell gas or worried about carbon monoxide?
If you can smell gas, hear hissing near the boiler or pipework, or your carbon monoxide alarm is going off, stop and treat it as an emergency. Don't run any checks. Turn the gas off at the meter only if it's safe to reach, open windows, leave the property, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. If anyone feels dizzy, sick or unwell, get into fresh air and call 999. Only go back once you've been told it's safe.
Is my boiler fault safe to check myself?
You can safely check a handful of things from outside the boiler casing. Never open the casing or touch internal parts: that is always a job for a Gas Safe registered engineer. If a fault or lockout code shows on the display, look it up in your boiler manual, and only follow a reset if the manual tells you to.
What safe checks can I try first?
These are the only checks a homeowner should do. If none of them help, it's time to book an engineer.
- Power and gas: check the boiler hasn't tripped a switch at the fuse box, the plug or spur is on, other gas appliances work, and you have credit on any prepayment meter.
- Thermostat and timer: turn the thermostat up to about 21°C and make sure the programmer is set to come on.
- Boiler pressure: look at the gauge. If it's below about 1 bar, top it up using the filling loop exactly as your boiler manual shows.
- Your boiler may still be set to hot water only, a common leftover from summer, so check it's calling for heating too.
- Radiator valves: make sure the valves at both ends of each radiator are open.
- Reset: press the reset button only if and as your boiler manual tells you to.
One-off repair or repair under a plan?
| Repair route | What you get | Hours and fee |
|---|---|---|
| One-off repair (no plan needed) | A Gas Safe registered engineer visits, diagnoses the fault, and tells you what the repair needs before any work goes ahead. Parts and labour are quoted and charged separately. No workmanship guarantee. | Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00. A £95 call-out fee. |
| Repair under a Smart Plan | Covered parts and labour up to your boiler limit: up to £500 if the boiler is under 7 years old, or up to £200 if it's 7 years or older, per 12-month period. | Call-outs Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 18:00. A £95 fee applies to any call-out during the first 30 days of your plan. A 12-month agreement period begins once you use a service. |
What does the engineer do on a repair visit?
When the safe checks don't fix it, call 0333 772 6247 to book a one-off repair. The engineer diagnoses the fault first, then tells you what's needed and what it will cost before any repair goes ahead. Common jobs include a faulty diverter valve, a failed pump, a stuck motorised valve, a broken fan or PCB, or sludge in the system, all of which sit inside the sealed boiler and need a registered engineer.
One-off repairs are a paid, pay-per-visit service and carry no workmanship guarantee. If you'd rather have the next breakdown already looked after, you can build a Smart Plan with the boiler and central heating module instead of paying a fresh call-out each time.
When is it a replacement, not a repair?
Sometimes a repair isn't the sensible call. If your boiler is old, keeps breaking down, or a needed part costs more than the cover limit, or a big chunk of what a new boiler would, replacement can work out better. If a fault code keeps returning, our boiler fault codes guide helps you see what's behind it, and if you're weighing up a new unit, our new boiler page walks through the options and finance route.
Common boiler faults and what you'd notice
| Likely fault | What you'd notice |
|---|---|
| Diverter valve | You get hot water but the radiators stay cold, or the heating works but the hot taps run cold. |
| Circulation pump | The boiler fires up but heat doesn't move round the house, sometimes with a hum or a noisy pump. |
| Motorised valve | Heating or hot water won't switch on when the timer says it should. |
| Fan or PCB | The boiler locks out or won't fire at all, often with a fault code on the display. |
| Sludge or blockage | Cold spots at the bottom of radiators, slow warm-ups, or noisy pipes and gurgling. |
Still not working? Talk to us
If the safe checks haven't sorted it, call 0333 772 6247 and we'll arrange a Gas Safe registered engineer. One-off repair visits run Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00, with a £95 call-out fee. Or build a cover plan so the next breakdown is already looked after, with call-outs Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 18:00 under your plan. A 12-month agreement period begins once you use a service.
Boiler repair: common questions
How much does a boiler repair cost?
A one-off boiler repair starts with a £95 call-out fee, which covers the engineer's visit and diagnosis. Parts and labour to put the fault right are quoted and charged separately, once the engineer has seen the problem and told you what's needed. For typical total repair costs, see our UK boiler repair costs guide.
What hours do you carry out boiler repairs?
One-off repair visits run Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00. If you hold a Smart Plan, cover call-outs run Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 18:00. We don't promise evening or weekend visits.
Do I need a cover plan to book a boiler repair?
No. You can book a one-off boiler repair whenever you need one, without being a Smart Plan member, for a £95 call-out fee. A cover plan is optional and may suit you if you'd rather spread the cost and have future repairs looked after up to a set limit.
Is a one-off repair covered by a workmanship guarantee?
No. One-off repairs are a paid, pay-per-visit service and carry no workmanship guarantee. If you'd like ongoing protection, you can build a Smart Plan that includes the boiler and central heating module, which covers parts and labour up to the module's limit per 12-month period.
What should I do if I smell gas before a repair?
Stop and treat it as an emergency. Don't run any checks or switch anything on or off. Turn the gas off at the meter only if it's safe to reach, open windows, leave the property, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. If anyone feels unwell, get into fresh air and call 999. Only return once you've been told it's safe.
Should I repair or replace my boiler?
Repair is usually right for a newer boiler with a one-off fault. If your boiler is old, keeps breaking down, or a needed part costs more than the cover limit, replacement can be better value. The engineer will advise, and our new boiler page explains the options.
How long does a boiler repair take?
Most one-off repairs are completed in a single visit once the engineer has the part on the van. Jobs that need a part ordering in may take a second visit, and the engineer will tell you what to expect after diagnosing the fault.
Call us today
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0333 772 6247New customers
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By email
hello@smart-plan.comBy post
2nd Floor, Melrose House
42 Dingwall Road
Croydon
CR0 2NE