Boiler FAQs

A straightforward gas combi replacement typically costs £1,500–£3,000 including parts and labour, depending on the boiler and how accessible the current installation is. Oil installations tend to run slightly higher. We always give a fixed quote before work starts, based on a proper survey rather than a phone estimate.

A like-for-like replacement is usually one full day. A more involved job (a different boiler type, relocated flue, or new pipework) can take two days. We'll give you a realistic timeline with your quote, not an optimistic one.

There isn't one universal answer: it depends on your home's hot water demand, budget and what's already installed. We work with all the major manufacturers, including Vaillant, Worcester Bosch, Ideal, Baxi, Ferroli, Grant, Potterton, Viessmann and Vokera for gas, plus Grant, Warmflow, Riello and Trianco for oil. We'll recommend what actually suits your household, not whichever brand pays us the most.

Needing to top up the pressure more than once a month almost always means a leak somewhere in the system: sometimes at the boiler itself, more often at a radiator valve, a pipe joint, or the pressure relief valve. It's worth having it looked at rather than just keep topping it up, since a slow leak can get worse and cause water damage. See our boiler repair page.

Yes, for safety and efficiency, and it's a legal requirement if you're a landlord. For homeowners it's not a legal requirement, but most manufacturers make it a condition of the warranty, and a serviced boiler runs more efficiently, which shows up in lower bills. See our annual service page for what's included.

Yes, we're Gas Safe registered for gas, and OFTEC-trained for oil, which is a fairly unusual combination. Plenty of rural Devon homes run on oil rather than mains gas, and having one engineer qualified on both means you don't need two separate contractors for one heating system.

A combi heats water directly on demand with no cylinder: good for smaller households and flats. A system boiler works with a hot water cylinder but no separate cold water tank: better for homes with higher hot water demand or more than one bathroom. A conventional (regular) boiler uses both a cylinder and a cold water tank, and is the older style still found in many Devon homes. Which one suits you depends on your home's layout and hot water use. We'll advise during the survey.

Yes. Parts we fit carry a 12-month guarantee on top of the manufacturer's own warranty, and every installation is commissioned to the industry's Benchmark standard, which is what protects the manufacturer warranty in the first place.

Under 8 years old, repair is almost always worth it. Between 8–12 years, compare the repair cost to a new installation: if it's more than about half the cost of replacing, replacement usually makes more sense. Past 12 years, a new A-rated boiler typically pays back the difference in fuel savings within 3–5 years. We'll give you a straight recommendation either way.

Our core area covers Exeter, Cullompton, Crediton, Teignmouth, Tiverton. We also cover Paignton, Okehampton, South Molton, Taunton, Chard: extended area: fuel surcharge may apply. If you're unsure whether we cover your location, just call us.