In 2026, most homeowners in the UK pay around £80–£120 for a standard boiler service, with £100 being a realistic average for a straightforward gas boiler.
But the headline price only tells part of the story. What really matters is what’s included, who’s carrying out the service, and how you use that annual visit to protect your boiler long-term.
Two people can both pay for a “boiler service” and get very different outcomes.
Average Boiler Service Costs in the UK
For a routine annual service — assuming no repairs or replacement parts are needed — these are the ranges most homeowners see:
- Gas boiler: £85–£120
- Electric boiler: £75–£110
- LPG boiler: £90–£120
- Oil boiler: £90–£125
Across all fuel types, most up-to-date cost guides now place the UK average between £90 and £110, which is why £100 has become the go-to benchmark for 2026.
Why Boiler Service Prices Vary So Much
It’s not unusual to see one company quote £75 and another £150 for what sounds like the same job.
The difference usually comes down to a few practical factors.
Boiler type matters
Oil and LPG boilers take longer to service and involve extra checks on burners, filters, and fuel storage, which naturally pushes the price up compared to a basic gas combi.
Location plays a role.
London and the South East often sit at the top end of the scale, while many regional towns and cities come in cheaper.
Who you book makes a difference
Local independent engineers often charge £70–£100, while larger national brands and energy companies commonly sit closer to £100–£150 for a one-off visit.
Timing counts
Autumn is peak season. Everyone wants their boiler checked before winter, and prices can creep up. Spring and early summer tend to be quieter, easier to book, and sometimes better value.
In most cases, the actual parts used during a service cost very little. What you’re really paying for is the engineer’s time, experience, and the quality of the checks.
One-Off Boiler Service vs Boiler Cover: Which Costs More?
This is where many homeowners get caught out.
A one-off boiler service typically costs £80–£120 once a year. If something breaks, you pay for the repair separately.
Boiler or heating cover, on the other hand, often costs £8–£13 per month — around £96–£156 per year — and usually includes an annual service plus some level of breakdown cover.
Over several years, a basic cover plan can quietly cost more than paying for a service yourself and setting aside the difference for repairs. That said, some homeowners prefer the predictability of a monthly payment, especially if their boiler is older or they’re risk-averse.
There’s no one right answer — it comes down to how much certainty you want.
A Better Way to Think About Boiler Service “Value”
A more useful question than “How much does a boiler service cost?” is often:
“What does it cost me if I don’t service it?”
Skipping a £100 service can lead to:
- Gradual efficiency loss that adds £5–£15 a month to gas bills over winter
- Small issues turning into £300–£700 repairs
- Invalidated manufacturer warranties, meaning parts that should’ve been covered suddenly aren’t
Over three to five years, the cost of not servicing regularly can easily outweigh the cost of booking that annual visit.
How Boiler Type Changes the Risk — Not Just the Price
While service prices sit in similar ranges, the consequences of skipping maintenance don’t.
Gas combi boilers are usually the cheapest and quickest to service, which is why most UK homes fall into this category.
Oil and LPG boilers cost slightly more to service, but they’re also less forgiving. Poor maintenance can lead to blocked nozzles, fuel issues, and inefficient combustion far more quickly.
Electric boilers are often cheaper to service, but rely heavily on proper electrical testing rather than combustion checks, so expertise still matters.
In short, the more specialised the system, the more important service quality becomes.
National Brand vs Local Engineer: It’s Not Just About Price
Price guides often miss this part.
Large national providers usually charge more, but offer call centres, apps, and branded support. Local independent engineers are often cheaper, more flexible, and provide continuity — the same person getting to know your system year after year.
Cost comparisons regularly show local specialists coming in 20–40% cheaper for one-off services, without necessarily cutting corners.
When Paying More for a Boiler Service Makes Sense
Cheapest isn’t always best.
Paying towards the upper end of the range can be worth it if:
- The engineer spends real time stripping, cleaning, and testing key components
- You receive a detailed service report rather than a quick tick-box
- The service is bundled with a landlord gas safety check or priority support
For landlords in particular, combining a boiler service with a gas safety certificate often works out cheaper than booking two separate visits.
Quick Boiler Service Cost Reference (2026)
| Boiler type / option | Typical UK service cost | Notes |
| Gas boiler service | £85–£120 | Most common; £100 is typical |
| Electric boiler service | £75–£110 | Fewer combustion checks |
| LPG boiler service | £90–£120 | Additional storage safety checks |
| Oil boiler service | £90–£125 (sometimes higher) | More involved cleaning and testing |
| Boiler & heating cover | £180–£300 per year | Includes service plus breakdown cover |
The Bottom Line
In 2026, a boiler service still costs roughly what it always has — but its value has never been higher. With energy prices volatile and boilers working harder than ever, that annual check is less about paperwork and more about preventing bigger costs later on.
I’m Penny North, a home energy heating expert. My mission is to demystify new boilers and complex heating systems to help you achieve a warm, cosy home with lower energy bills and a smaller environmental footprint.