How to ensure you’re getting the real deal with your gas engineer

We’ve all been there. Something crucial goes kaput in your home and suddenly it’s action stations. If you’re not sure how to fix the issue yourself, you’re calling around every available engineer within an hour’s drive to help get the problem sorted. Imagine then that your boiler does a bunk mid-winter and you’re facing a night in the cold, as well as no hot water for the kids to bathe in. Would it be fair to say that you’d have anyone with plumber, or gas engineer in their title on Google?

While your issue is clearly an urgent one, it is worth pausing to make sure that the engineer you’re inviting into your home is both qualified and insured to undertake work on your gas boiler. Here are 6 great tips for making sure you get the real deal when it comes to boiler engineers.

1 Check for Gas Safe registration

In the UK, it is a legal requirement for anyone working on gas appliances, including boilers, to be Gas Safe registered. Before hiring an engineer, ask for their Gas Safe ID card or check the Gas Safe Register website to confirm their credentials. This ensures they have the necessary training and qualifications to work safely with gas appliances, which are highly combustible and only ever safe with proper professionals to hand. Just to add, Sensible Heating Solutions is registered, so you can always give us a call!

2 Ask for recommendations

Nothing beats a good, old-fashioned recommendation from friends, family, or neighbours. If you know of anyone who has recently had their boilers inspected or serviced, ask for a referral. You could even put it out on a community Facebook page. Personal referrals can provide valuable insights into the reliability and competence of a particular engineer or company. 

3 Research online reviews

Use online platforms to research reviews and ratings of boiler service engineers or companies. Websites like Trustpilot, Google Reviews, or Checkatrade can offer valuable feedback from previous customers, helping you to gauge the quality of service provided. You can also read reviews from customers on websites, like those on ours, or social media platforms. 

4 Verify qualifications and insurance

Before hiring an engineer, ask about their qualifications, experience, and insurance coverage. A reputable engineer should be willing to provide details of their qualifications and insurance policies, giving you peace of mind in case of any mishaps during the inspection or servicing process. Much of this information should be available on the company website, similar to FAQs and warranty details shared on our own site. 

5 Obtain multiple quotes

If you do have time and it’s not an absolute emergency, it’s always advisable to get a few quotes from multiple engineers or companies before making a decision. Worth bearing in mind that the cheapest quote won’t always reflect the best option. Price shouldn’t be the sole determining factor; prioritise qualifications, experience, and reputation when selecting an engineer to work on your home boiler and heating system. 

6 Ask questions

Don’t be afraid to ask away! During your first consultation or when you make your inquiry, you’re fully within your rights to ask about the engineer, their relevant experience and the value they can bring to your job. It’s also worth asking about what they think the issue might be, based on your description of the problem, and what steps they’ll take to address it.

Working with gas can be very dangerous, if not handled by a fully qualified professional, so spend some time ensuring you’re getting the real deal when it comes to boiler engineers. Remember, the person you hire will be spending some time in your home, so it helps if they’re easy to get along with and you feel you can trust them. If you’d like speak to any of our friendly, qualified gas engineers, give our team a call to chat boiler brain-busters.

Need help with your boiler or heating system? Contact us today