When it comes to shopping around for a new boiler, it’s highly likely British Gas will be a consideration for most of us. British Gas is a household name with a long history of heating our homes. The company is one of the Big Six gas and electricity suppliers in the UK and also offers boiler installation, repairs, servicing and boiler insurance packages.
However, there are thousands and thousands of local, independent boiler companies and heating engineers across the UK offering you an alternative to the national providers. Though they have nowhere near the same advertising budget or national reach, they can offer a range of benefits bigger companies may not be able to.
We’ve highlighted some of the key benefits you can expect from both choices to help you make the right choice for your home.
Pros of Choosing British Gas
Deals and Rewards
British Gas often run promotions which could mean big savings on the cost of your new boiler or even special offers on other products like Hive Active Heating or HomeCare insurance. They also offer the British Gas Rewards scheme which enables customers to choose from a range of special deals like Sky entertainment bundles.
Nationwide Coverage
There are over 6,000 British Gas engineers located throughout England and Wales. This national coverage means the company has the capability to carry out installations, services and repairs wherever you are in the country.
Warranty
A 5 year British Gas warranty is included as standard in the price of your boiler as well as a 1 year guarantee on your heating system in general.
Fixed Price Guarantee
British Gas offer a fixed price guarantee; this means that the price they quote you will stay the same no change even if more work is needed than was originally estimated. This should give you real peace of mind that there won’t be any surprise extras down the road.
Flexible Finance Options
If you can’t afford the total cost of your new boiler, British Gas offer a range of finance deals which enable you to spread the cost. Rather than paying all in one go you can pay smaller, monthly amounts over a period of time. These arrangements can be anything from 3 to 10 years so you should be able to find the right agreement for your budget.
High Quality Boilers
British Gas install boilers made by Worcester Bosch, Vaillant and Glow-worm. All 3 manufacturers are high quality in terms of performance and highly recommended by both homeowners and professional engineers, so you can be sure you’re investing in a reliable boiler for your home.
Pros of Choosing a Local Plumber
Cheaper Deals
You an often get a cheaper price for a new boiler installation from a smaller, local trader or company. According to independent research you could save as much as 39% by using a local provider when compared to a national provider. If you compare quotes from multiple local installers using a service like Boiler Quotes you could save even more.
More availability
As local companies and traders focus on specific areas, it’s often the case that they have better availability in terms of when they can install your boiler and will be able to get the job done quicker and at a more convenient time.
Personal recommendations
When using a national provider you have no say over the individual engineer they send to do the work. By opting for a local engineer or company you can be reassured you’re hiring someone who has been tested and trusted by friends or family.
Choose from all manufacturers
You may find that a national provider restricts your choice of boiler, so if you have a particular brand of boiler in mind it might be better to shop around to find a small company which can supply it. Each manufacturer will offer their own warranty with their boilers as long as the engineer who installs it is accredited. These warranties usually range between 2-10 years.
More personal service
A small company or independent trader will, more often than not, be the person you deal with from start to finish. You can contact them directly and cut out the middleman without the need for call centres or automated customer service.
In conclusion
Investing in a new boiler for your home is a big decision, especially if your old one has broken and you’re looking for a quick replacement. As we’ve outlined there are real benefits to the services offered by both British Gas and local companies. Your decision will come down to your priorities in terms of budget, warranty, aftercare services and choice of boiler brand.The best course of action is to compare quotes from both British Gas and at least one local company. They’ll provide a detailed breakdown of everything that is included in their service so you can compare like for like. Comparing is the best way to both save money on your new boiler and ensure you’re receiving a high quality installation with reliable aftercare.
