Boiler 17 February 2023

How to find a local gas engineer

When it comes to finding a gas heating engineer, it’s important to choose someone who is reliable, experienced and trustworthy. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide on the right person for the job. In this guide, we’ll provide you with some helpful tips on finding a local gas heating engineer that you can trust.

Look for Accreditation

Gas Safe registration is the one that is not optional. By law, only a Gas Safe registered engineer may work on gas appliances, pipework or flues. Ask for the number, then check it yourself at gassaferegister.co.uk — the register also shows which categories of work that engineer is actually qualified for, which is worth knowing, because being registered for boilers does not automatically mean being registered for cookers or fires. Ours is 951167.

When an engineer arrives, they should be carrying a Gas Safe ID card with their photograph, licence number and expiry date, and the back lists what they are qualified to do. Asking to see it is completely normal, and no decent engineer will be offended.

Check for Experience

Experience is key when it comes to finding a gas heating engineer. Look for someone who has been in the business for a while and has a good reputation. You can check online reviews and testimonials to get an idea of their track record.

Ask for References

If you’re unsure about a particular gas heating engineer, ask for references. A good engineer should be more than happy to provide you with a list of satisfied customers. Contact these customers to get an idea of the quality of work that was carried out.

Get Multiple Quotes

It’s always a good idea to get multiple quotes before hiring a gas heating engineer. This will give you a better idea of the average price for the work you need to be carried out. Be wary of quotes that seem too good to be true, as these can often be a red flag.

Check for Insurance

Make sure that the gas heating engineer you hire has liability insurance. This will protect you in case of any accidents or damage that occurs during the work.

Ask for a Written Quote

Before hiring a gas heating engineer, make sure you get a written quote. This should include a detailed breakdown of the work that needs to be carried out, as well as the total cost of the job.

Don’t Rush Your Decision

Finding the right gas heating engineer can take time, so don’t rush your decision. Take the time to do your research and make sure you’re hiring someone who is qualified and experienced.

Understand How They Charge

This is where quotes stop being comparable, so ask directly. Some firms charge by the hour, some quote a fixed price per job, and many do both depending on the work.

Ours works like this. Repairs, servicing and general plumbing are charged at £95 + VAT for the first hour, which is always billable, then £47.50 + VAT for each hour after that — the first hour covers getting a registered engineer and a stocked van to your door and diagnosing the fault properly, whether or not the fix turns out to be quick. A boiler service is a flat £95 + VAT, with any additional gas appliance on the same visit at half price. Installations are not hourly at all: those are quoted free, in writing, at a fixed price. Materials are agreed with you before we fit or order anything.

Be wary of anyone who will not tell you how they charge until they are standing in your hallway.

Local Really Does Matter

An engineer twenty minutes away can get to you on the day your boiler fails in February. One based an hour off cannot, whatever the website says. It also means they have seen the housing stock you live in — the Victorian terraces around Tonbridge with their microbore pipework, the 1930s semis, the newer estates — and they will have met your particular problem before.

Why Choose Plumbing Angels

We are Gas Safe registered under number 951167, fully insured, and based in Tonbridge, covering Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding Kent villages. Quotes are free and in writing, our pricing is published rather than improvised, and our workmanship carries a 12-month guarantee on installations (90 days on repairs).

Call 01732 792 454, see the areas we cover, or read about our plumbing and heating services.