How Much Does a Boiler Repair Cost in the UK?

Cost to Repair a Boiler – The short answer (what most people want to know)

Most boiler repairs in the UK cost between £100 and £750, including parts and labour. In real terms, the typical repair comes in at around £300 for a standard weekday call-out.

Emergency repairs, more complex faults, or higher-cost postcodes can push that figure higher — sometimes £600 or more.

Those numbers are a useful starting point, but they don’t explain why one homeowner pays £180 while another is quoted £550 for what sounds like the same problem.

The reality is that boiler repair costs are shaped by what’s failed, how old the boiler is, how the system’s been looked after, and how urgent the repair is. Location matters too — but it’s only part of the picture, not the whole story. For those in need of timely assistance, next day boiler installation services can provide a swift solution to unexpected breakdowns. By opting for these services, homeowners can ensure that their heating needs are met promptly, minimising discomfort during colder months.

Ultimately, having access to reliable installation options can make a significant difference in both convenience and peace of mind. For those looking to handle smaller issues themselves, minor boiler repair tips can be invaluable. Simple maintenance tasks, such as checking pressure levels or bleeding radiators, can often prevent larger problems down the line.

Additionally, having a basic understanding of common boiler components can empower homeowners to make informed decisions when facing potential repairs.

This guide pulls together real-world pricing from across the UK to help homeowners understand what they’re actually paying for in 2026 — and how to budget more confidently.

What Really Drives Boiler Repair Costs in the UK

Boiler repairs aren’t priced like fixed products. Two boilers showing similar symptoms can involve very different levels of work once an engineer starts diagnosing the fault. Engineers will look for signs of boiler failure indicators to determine the extent of the issue. These signs can range from unusual noises to fluctuations in temperature, each requiring a different approach to repair. It’s crucial to address these indicators promptly to avoid more complicated and costly repairs down the line.

The biggest factors affecting cost are:

• Type of fault — simple components versus major internal parts
• Time spent diagnosing intermittent or safety-related issues
• Boiler age and overall condition
• Access and installation complexity
• Whether the repair is planned or urgent

In many cases, the part itself isn’t the expensive bit. The cost usually comes from the time needed to identify the fault properly and carry out the repair safely and compliantly.

Average Boiler Repair Costs (UK-Wide)

Across the UK in 2026, most boiler repairs fall into these ranges:

• £120–£550 for most non-urgent repairs
• £50–£100 per hour for labour
• £75–£130 for a typical weekday call-out
• £230–£670 for emergency or out-of-hours work

Some engineers deduct the call-out fee if parts are fitted during the same visit, but not all do — so it’s always worth asking upfront.

Common Boiler Repairs and Realistic UK Prices

Based on what engineers see most often in UK homes, these are the repairs that account for the majority of call-outs, with realistic all-in pricing (parts and labour combined).

Fault	What you’ll notice	Typical cost (£)
Thermostat or sensor	No heat, erratic temperatures	90–250
Pump replacement	Cold radiators, poor circulation	200–400
Fan replacement	Noisy operation, lockouts	180–350
PCB replacement	Boiler unresponsive, fault codes	250–500+
Heat exchanger	Leaks, pressure loss, inefficiency	400–600+
Gas valve	No ignition, intermittent firing	150–300

Once repairs move into PCB or heat exchanger territory, it’s usually the point where homeowners should pause and reassess whether repair still makes long-term sense.

Repair vs Replace: When Fixing a Boiler Stops Being Good Value

Not every breakdown means you need a new boiler — but not every repair is worth paying for either.

A repair usually makes sense when:

• The boiler is under 8 years old
• It’s been reliable until now
• The fault is isolated and affordable

A repair is far less sensible when:

• The boiler is 10–12 years old or more
• The repair cost exceeds £400
• Similar faults keep returning within a short space of time

At that stage, repairs often become a holding pattern rather than a genuine fix.

Boiler Repair Costs by Brand (What Homeowners Should Expect)

Different boiler brands don’t just vary in upfront price — they also differ in parts costs, availability, and repair complexity.

Below is a realistic comparison of common UK boiler brands and how repair costs typically stack up.

Boiler brand	Typical repair cost range	What affects the price
Worcester Bosch	£180–£450	Strong parts availability, but higher PCB and fan costs
Vaillant	£200–£500	Premium components and build quality
Ideal Boilers	£150–£400	Widely available, affordable parts
Baxi	£150–£400	Competitive repair pricing, common UK parts
Viessmann	£220–£550	High-efficiency design, more expensive components
Vokera	£140–£400	Lower part costs, value-focused designs
Glow‑worm	£160–£420	Shared components, mid-range repair costs

These figures assume a boiler that’s otherwise in reasonable condition. On older systems, even lower-cost brands can become expensive if multiple parts fail close together.

Why Regular Boiler Servicing Matters More Than Most People Realise

Boiler servicing is often treated as optional — something to think about after a breakdown rather than before one. In practice, regular servicing is one of the most effective ways to reduce repair costs over a boiler’s lifetime.

A proper annual service allows an engineer to spot early warning signs before they turn into expensive faults.

Failing sensors, worn seals, pressure problems, and early pump strain are usually cheap to fix when caught early — but far more costly once they cause a breakdown.

An annual boiler service typically costs £80–£120, which is often less than the call-out fee alone for an emergency repair. While servicing won’t prevent every fault, it significantly reduces the chances of:

• Sudden winter breakdowns
• Emergency call-outs
• Repeat faults caused by overlooked issues

It also helps maintain efficiency. Boilers that aren’t serviced regularly can quietly burn more gas than they should, increasing energy bills even when they appear to be working normally.

Boiler and Central Heating Cover: How It Helps With Repair Costs

Boiler and central heating cover is often misunderstood. It doesn’t eliminate breakdowns, but it can help smooth out repair costs and reduce financial shocks, especially as a boiler gets older.

Most boiler cover plans cost £13–£25 per month, depending on the level of protection. While this doesn’t always save money year to year, it can make budgeting easier by spreading costs instead of facing a sudden £400–£600 repair bill.

Cover can be particularly useful for:

 

• Older boilers more likely to break down
• Homes where emergency repairs would be financially difficult
• Households wanting predictable monthly costs

It’s important to read the small print. Some policies exclude pre-existing faults or limit cover on older boilers, which can reduce value if the system is already struggling.

Regional Differences in Boiler Repair Costs (Why Postcode Still Matters)

While the fundamentals above apply nationwide, location still influences price — particularly when comparing the South with the North.

London & the South East

Repairs are typically 20–37% more expensive, driven by higher labour rates, longer travel times, and parking or congestion charges. A repair costing £250–£400 in Yorkshire can easily reach £350–£600 in parts of the South East.

Northern England & the Midlands

Lower overheads keep pricing more stable, with call-outs around £75–£120 and most major repairs landing between £200–£500.

This is why national “average” prices can feel misleading once homeowners start getting local quotes.

How to Budget Smarter for Boiler Repairs in 2026

Instead of asking “How much will this repair cost me today?”, a more useful question is:

“How much more am I likely to spend on this boiler over the next two winters?”

That’s where boiler age, fault history, brand, servicing habits, and system condition matter far more than any single national average — and where homeowners usually make better long-term decisions.