The Honest Answer
Boiler repair costs in the UK vary enormously depending on the fault, the parts required, and the time spent on site. There is no single fixed price, and you should be wary of any company that gives you a firm quote without diagnosing the fault first.
What You'll Typically Pay
Here's a realistic breakdown of what boiler repairs cost in the South East of England:
- Call-out fee (including first hour of labour): £80–£140
- Additional labour (per hour): £60–£100
- PCB (printed circuit board) replacement: £200–£500 including parts
- Diverter valve replacement: £120–£250 including parts
- Pump replacement: £150–£350 including parts
- Heat exchanger replacement: £300–£600 including parts
- Pressure relief valve: £80–£150 including parts
- Thermocouple (older boilers): £80–£120
- Gas valve replacement: £200–£450 including parts
The Rule of Thumb
A widely used guideline is: if the repair cost exceeds half the cost of a new boiler, and the boiler is over 10 years old, replacement is usually the better long-term decision. A new boiler typically costs £1,800–£3,500 fully installed – so if you're looking at a £900+ repair on a 12-year-old boiler, a replacement warrants serious consideration.
Avoid These Red Flags
- Companies that give a firm price without diagnosing the fault first
- Unusually low call-out fees – these are often recovered with inflated labour or parts charges
- Companies that don't provide a written quote before starting work
- Engineers who aren't Gas Safe registered (you can check at gassaferegister.co.uk)
Our Approach
At Whitebox Heating, we charge a clear call-out fee covering the diagnosis and first hour of labour. We then provide a full quote before starting any additional work. If the repair isn't cost-effective, we'll tell you honestly and discuss your options. No hard sell, no inflated quotes.