An annual boiler service is a short visit from a qualified engineer to check your boiler is running safely and efficiently. It isn't the same as a repair — nothing is necessarily broken — and it isn't the same as a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12), which landlords need. Done properly, it's a safety check, an efficiency tune-up and an early-warning system for faults, all in one.
Below is what a service should cost in 2026, exactly what a Gas Safe engineer should do during the visit, and how a one-off service compares with a boiler cover plan that includes the service for you.
Prices vary by region, engineer and how the service is bought. The figures below are indicative ranges for a standard domestic gas boiler — get a written quote before booking.
| How you buy it | Indicative 2026 cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| One-off service (independent local engineer) | £60–£100 | Often the cheapest; check they're Gas Safe registered. |
| One-off service (national company) | £90–£120+ | Wider availability, sometimes a higher headline price. |
| Landlord service + Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) | £80–£150 | Includes the certificate landlords are legally required to hold. |
| Service included in a boiler cover plan | Bundled in your monthly premium | An annual service is part of many (not all) cover plans. |
Watch the regional gap. London and the South East usually sit at the top of these ranges; parts of the North, Wales and Scotland often sit lower. A boiler that's hard to access, or a very old model, can push the price up too. Treat any quote that's far below the range with caution — a £25 "service" is rarely a full one.
A genuine annual service is more than a quick glance and a sticker. A Gas Safe registered engineer should work through a checklist that covers safety, performance and condition. Expect them to:
This is qualified work, not DIY. A service involves removing the boiler casing and testing the gas and combustion circuit — that is strictly for a Gas Safe registered engineer. The only routine jobs you can safely do yourself between services are resetting from the front panel, topping up pressure via the filling loop, bleeding radiators and checking the thermostat and fuse. If you smell gas, leave the property and call the National Gas Emergency line on 0800 111 999.
Servicing can feel like an easy cost to skip in a year when the boiler seems fine. There are three solid reasons not to:
If you'd rather not remember to book each year, you've got two broad options beyond a simple one-off:
Whether bundling makes sense depends on your boiler's age and your appetite for surprise bills. A newer boiler under warranty may only need the service itself; an older one is more likely to benefit from cover that handles both the service and any repairs. Our guides to the best boiler cover and cheaper cover options walk through the trade-offs, and you can see which providers include a service when you compare plans. Established names such as British Gas and HomeServe offer plans with servicing built in, but levels of cover and excesses differ — read the detail before you buy.
See boiler cover plans from a selected panel of UK providers, including options that bundle an annual Gas Safe service so you never have to remember to book it.
Compare boiler coverAs an indicative range, a one-off service is typically around £60–£120 depending on your region and whether you use a local engineer or a national company. A landlord service with a Gas Safety Certificate usually costs a little more. Always get a written quote first.
Once a year is the standard recommendation, and most manufacturers require an annual service to keep the warranty valid. Landlords must arrange an annual gas safety check on appliances they're responsible for.
No. A service is a maintenance and safety check on the boiler. A Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) is the legal document a landlord needs to show their gas appliances have been checked. Many engineers can do both in one visit.
No. A service involves removing the casing and testing the gas and combustion circuit, which must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You can safely reset the boiler, top up pressure, bleed radiators and check the thermostat yourself, but not service it.
It can be, especially for an older boiler, because a cover plan spreads the cost and also protects you against repair bills. But not every plan includes a service, and premiums vary — compare what each plan includes before deciding.