Oil Boiler Service Near Me

Looking after your oil boiler should include regular servicing if you want it to provide problem-free heating and hot water for your home. A regular service will ensure your oil boiler runs efficiently and safely by spotting any worn parts or defects before they become a major problem.

An oil-fired boiler is a popular choice for householders off-grid in the UK. Oil is stored in a separate tank, and it burns to provide heating and hot water by using a heat exchanger.

In this article, we’ll show you the best way to find a reliable oil boiler service provider in your area using MyJobQuote’s platform and other effective methods.

Let’s dive in!

Defining Your Needs

Before you contact a service professional, decide what needs to be done to the boiler. Generally, an oil boiler will need one of the following.

• An oil boiler service
• A repair
• A full system inspection

An Oil Boiler Service

A boiler service is usually carried out by oil boiler companies or a registered plumber. The cost of the service is, on average, between £70.00 and £90.00. You’ll pay more if you live in London or the South East of England where the price of services is higher than in other parts of the UK. It is recommended that you have an oil boiler serviced annually.

A boiler service may include:

• Cleaning the condensate trap, the heat exchanger and the combustion chamber
• Replacement of jet burner nozzle
• Checking that the thermostat, valves and the lock-down safety mechanism are all working correctly
• Recording oil pressure
• Taking a flue gas analysis to ensure there are no dangerous gases escaping
• Checking the air supply is burning at the precise ratio
• Making sure there are no oil leaks, replacing seals if necessary and checking that oil storage meets the regulations

If the service flags up a significant problem and you need to replace your oil boiler, then you can expect average costs of between £2,280 and £3,500. Prices are influenced by the type of central heating you have and your location in the UK. An average oil boiler replacement will take around 2 days, and labour costs will average between £100 and £250 a day.

An Oil boiler repair

A boiler repair will be required if your boiler has stopped working or isn’t working as efficiently as it should. The cost of a boiler repair will depend on the work that needs to be done, the part that needs replacing and the time it takes to do the repair.

Early warning signs that you have a problem and need a boiler service include:

• Low water pressure
• Noise from the boiler
• Radiators not heating up to capacity
• The pilot light doesn’t stay on
• Hot water temperature begins to fluctuate
• Your boiler often needs to restart
• Common problems that may need to be looked at include:

Faulty Fan

If the boiler’s fan isn’t working, your boiler will break down completely, and you’ll be left without heating or hot water. The reasons why a fan has stopped working could be due to:

• Slow fan speed
• A loose connection
• Faulty circuit board
• Damaged components
• A broken fan

A replacement fan can cost between £90.00 and £210.00, depending on the boiler you have installed. A new circuit board will cost, on average, between £100.00 and £250.00.

Faulty Thermostat

If the thermostat isn’t working, then it may need to be replaced. But before buying a new one, check that the batteries have power and the thermostat settings are correct (it may be too low or have been turned off). The thermostat shouldn’t be placed where there is a draught or near a warm radiator, as this could affect the way the temperature is measured.

The cost of a thermostat is, on average between £30.00 and £50.00. If you have a SMART system and your thermostat has internet connectivity, then you can pay between £140.00 and £180.00.

Oil Leak

Oil leaks can affect various components, which may need to be repaired or replaced because of the damage caused by the oil. Maintaining the seals and tightening connections on boiler parts will help to prevent leaks.

Oil can damage the heat exchanger, the pump or the pressure relief valve. The cost of replacing these parts is on average:

• Pressure Relief Valve – between £20.00 and £40.00
• Pump – between £95.00 and £175.00
• Heat Exchanger – between £1,000 and £1,500

A build-up of sludge will affect the water flow. Slow-flowing water may overheat, and you’ll hear a whistling sound like a kettle. This problem may be solved by carrying out a system flush.

A Frozen Condensate Pipe

During the Winter months, the condensate pipe to your boiler can freeze, and your boiler won’t work. It needs to be thawed, which should take a plumber around an hour to do. The average cost of a plumber per hour is between £27.00 and £80.00 per hour, depending on where you live. Expect to pay the top end of these prices if you live in London or the South East of England. If the job is classed as an emergency, you may also need to add a call-out fee, which could be between £30.00 and £100.00.

Problems With The Pilot Light Ignition

This problem may be caused by the gas supply or a problem with a component. The price to repair the oil boiler will depend on the plumber’s hourly rate and the cost of a replacement part if it’s needed.

Something simple like a burner gasket seal costs, on average, around £7.00. But if you need to replace the thermocouple, then you will be looking at an average cost of between £120.00 and £180.00.

Some heating and plumbing companies offer boiler servicing plans. For a monthly fee, your oil boiler will receive a yearly service. Some plans also cover repairs and emergency callouts. On average, a boiler service plan starts at around £7.00 a month, but the cost will depend on whether or not you add other services, such as heating repairs.

Sludge Build-up

A build-up of sludge will affect the water flow. Slow-flowing water may overheat, and you’ll hear a whistling sound like a kettle. This problem may be solved by carrying out a system flush.

A system flush

A system flush will clear away sludge, rust or debris that may be clogging up your system and causing your heating system to work inefficiently. There are two types of system flush, and which one you choose will depend on how clogged up your system has become and the amount you want to pay for the service.

The Power Flush

A power flush uses a pump, high pressure and chemicals to clear out your radiators and pipes. It is normally used when there are stubborn blockages. The process may take a few hours, and the cost, on average, is around £400.00.

A chemical flush doesn’t use high pressure, and it is used when the slush build-up isn’t quite so severe. Chemicals are added to the system, which circulates and removes slush and any other particles. Once the work is completed, the system is filled with clean water. A chemical flush is cheaper than a power flush. The cost on average is around £300.00.

A Full System Inspection

A full system inspection will include servicing your oil boiler, plus checking your heating system. Your radiators, controls and pipework will be looked at to check for wear and tear or faults. It’s a good idea to have this type of service carried out before the winter.

If you need to replace old radiators, then you will need to budget for costs between £20.00 and £500.00 for the radiator. The price will depend on the size, the design and the material used. You should then add the cost of installation, which, on average, will be between £30.00 and £70 an hour. It should take between 2 and 5 hours and so costs may be between £60.00 and £350.00.

Utilising Online Directories

You can use online directories to find a tradesperson. If you google, for example, oil boiler company near me or oil boiler contractors near me, there will be a list of tradespeople and companies you can contact. The downside of this method is that you won’t know anything about the person or the local oil boiler companies.

If you use the MyJobQuote form, we will find you tradespeople who can see ratings, feedback, and reviews from previous customers, which can help you decide who would be best for the job.

Utilising MyJobQuote’s Quote Form

The MyJobQuote web page is a treasure trove of information. It helps you in three ways. Firstly, you can find articles and cost guides about home renovation and repairs. Secondly, you can post questions on the site for a tradesperson to answer. Finally, we’ll help you find a professional tradesperson to give you a quote for your repair or renovation project.

It’s simple to find a tradesperson using the MyJobQuote form:

• Enter your postcode
• Click on “I need a job doing.”
• Click on the type of work you need to do
• Scroll down the list to find the type of work
• Tell us what the job involves, for example, a boiler
• Click on the type of work that needs doing, so that could be a repair or replacement
• Give us a short description of the job
• Send a photo if you want to do that; if not, no problem
• Give us your budget
• Tell us when you’d like the work to start

We’ll then give you the details of tradespersons who offer local oil boiler services in your area that meet your requirements.

Seeking Recommendations

Reading customer feedback is a useful way of finding out if a tradesperson has done a good job. Another way to find a reliable tradesperson is to ask friends, family and work colleagues for recommendations. Someone who, for example, has had a boiler installed may recommend the plumber or the company that did the work. A personal recommendation can also give you an insight as to whether the tradesperson was reliable and professional.

Verifying Credentials

When you speak to a tradesperson, ask them about their credentials. Ask them the following questions:

• Are they OFTEC-approved?
• How experienced are they at the job you need doing?
• Have they got insurance so that they are covered against an accident or damage claim?
• Do they have references or feedback from previous customers?
• When can they start the job, and how long will it take?
• Do they guarantee their work?

Engagement and Communication

Clear communication will reduce the risk of misunderstandings or extra costs. Ask the contractor to put all your requirements in writing. This should include availability, costs and how extra charges are added to a quote in the case of an unexpected issue. Don’t accept a quote that isn’t in writing. It can be in the form of a paper quotation or an email.

Service Terms and Agreements

Service terms and agreements should be documented before any work begins. A written agreement outlining the scope of the work and payment terms will prevent any misunderstandings at a later date. If you do change the scope of the work at any time, ask that the change be put into writing together with the additional costs. Any guarantees or warranties should also be available in written form.

A regular boiler service will prolong the life of your oil boiler and ensure that it is always running efficiently. It also helps to spot minor repairs before they become more serious. This will save you money in labour and parts.

Using the MyJobQuote quote form is an easy and quick way to find a trusted tradesperson to service your oil boiler close to home.