How to find a good boiler repair company
A broken boiler is a nightmare situation to find yourself in and the only thing you care about is having it fixed as quickly and cheaply as possible.
Choosing the wrong repair company, however, will only make matters work, leading to long and expensive delays, and the problem might still remain even once they have left.
We have put together this guide to the best ways that you quickly narrow down your options and find the perfect boiler company Glasgow for your repair needs.
Who is allowed to conduct boiler repair?
In the UK, only those who are on the Gas Safe register are permitted to carry out the installation, servicing, and repair of gas boilers. This register indicates that they have undergone the appropriate training and have the skills to deal with gas heating systems safety and is a safeguard against dangerous accidents such as explosions, and gas leaks.
When you are looking for someone to carry out boiler repair on your property, the very first place you should start is the Gas Safe register. If someone is on this register and has been for a number of years, they will have carried out repair work on a variety of different properties, both domestic and commercial and will have all the skills needed to fix your boiler issues.
Narrowing down your options
There are a huge number of Gas Safe engineers and companies in the UK who are qualified to carry out boiler repairs.
The Gas Safe register is indeed the first place to start your search but how do you got about choosing from this admittedly large list? Do you simply choose the company closest to you, or a large nationwide firm?
Well, it depends on what you are looking for. Local firms tend to offer better prices, and you will likely be able to get some advice from friends and neighbours in the area who have dealt with them in the past. There is also a good chance that they will be able to fix your boiler quickly as they are already in the area. However, as these companies tend to be quite small, during the winter when demand is at its highest, they may be extremely busy and it will be harder to arrange for a boiler repair than your might expect.
Larger boiler repair companies who operate all across the UK will have many, sometimes hundreds, of engineers working for them, and all the tools and resources required to fix problems of any kind. However, you will usually have to pay a bit, or even a lot, more for your boiler repair bill.
5 things to look for in a boiler repair company
No matter if you choose your local one man band or the largest boiler repair firm in the nation, there are a few things that all great boiler repair companies possess.
1) Established relationship with manufacturer
Look for a boiler repair company with a preference for fixing boilers made by the same manufacturer as yours.
Many boiler repair companies will even have established connections with certain manufacturers that they use to ensure they are able to offer the best possible servicing and repair services to their customers. They will have an in-depth knowledge of how the boiler works, how to fix it, and access to all the tools and spare parts to do so.
2) Multiple years of experience
Any boiler repairs company that has been in operation for several years must be doing something right. If a company is several years old and the vast majority of online reviews that you can find are overwhelmingly positive, the chances are that they are pretty trustworthy and have the experience and expertise required to meet your needs.
Time in the job is not the be all and end all, many new Gas Safe engineers are fantastic at what they do, but it is certainly a desirable attribute.
3) Customer reviews
One of the best ways to judge the quality of any service or product is to look at the experiences of previous customers. Independent online review sites such as Trustpilot or Google Reviews are a good place to start but your local Facebook page can also be a good way to find local firms with a good reputation.
4) Get a quote
Price is not the only factor to consider when getting a boiler repair but no-one wants to pay over the odds. Getting a quote before you commit to having the work done will help you avoid exorbitant fees outwith the industry average.
5) Ask for accreditation
A Gas Safe certificate is a prerequisite for any boiler repair services but asking for any additional qualifications or certificates that an engineer may have is a good way to separate the good from the great.