Can anyone kindly explain how boiler service agreements work?

Sumarokov

I have just recently become a home-owner (a flat) for the first time in the UK. The previous owner gave me a copy of the boiler servicing agreement which seems to have an annual "plan" (Home Serve) and a copy of the last job report when the boiler was serviced (Ideal Heating).

Can you help me get my head around these two different companies? Because the Home Serve agreement has the word "Ideal" written as well at the head of the letter.

Assuming I want to now use these two (one?) companies to service my gas boiler, which should I contact first? Do you pay for a service and then get a plan until the following year - or do you get the plan first and the service happens when it is 12 months since the last service??

Hope someone out there can guide me: I am a complete newbie at this!!

Bungle73

I've got a service plan with Corgi. When its time for a service, they contact me to book an appointment. It's a local engineer that gets sent out, hence probably the two company names you are seeing.

p00hsticks

Some of these service plans include not only an annual service but also breakdown cover (with or without an excess) so if the boiler breaks down then you call them out.

You need to weigh up the convenience of having someone you can just call if you have any problems compared with the potential savings you might get from just putting the money aside yourself and then having to find a local person who can attend if you have any problems.

katejo

Sumarokov said:

I have just recently become a home-owner (a flat) for the first time in the UK. The previous owner gave me a copy of the boiler servicing agreement which seems to have an annual "plan" (Home Serve) and a copy of the last job report when the boiler was serviced (Ideal Heating).

Can you help me get my head around these two different companies? Because the Home Serve agreement has the word "Ideal" written as well at the head of the letter.

Assuming I want to now use these two (one?) companies to service my gas boiler, which should I contact first? Do you pay for a service and then get a plan until the following year - or do you get the plan first and the service happens when it is 12 months since the last service??

Hope someone out there can guide me: I am a complete newbie at this!!

Personally I have never bothered. The previous owners of my house had a contract with British Gas and a fault developed just before they moved out so they called out BG. They came on the wrong day and then did the repair badly. I knew  a reputable local firm which had serviced my previous boiler so I went back to them. I pay for an annual service and they respond promptly if a problem arises (rare so I have saved lots of money on service agreements). 

Scot_39

General background from Which here

https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/boiler-cover/article/how-to-choose-the-best-boiler-cover-aYodD8Z46xjC

A lot depends on your attitude to risk - the likely reliability (make and age etc ) of your boiler - and your cash flow / reserves.

My mum and now sister - on fixed incomes - have used these plans - I never bothered when had gas.

And the premiums these days for some of the more comprehensive coverage (boiler, heating, plumbing, electrics, white goods etc - can all be in the mix at the top end ) - runs into several £100s.

RelievedSheff

We don't pay for a boiler service plan. We pay a local reputable company to come and service the boiler once a year (£75 when it was last done in February)

We make sure we have money set aside for if any problems do arise with the heating or hot water systems.

MP1995

RelievedSheff said:

We don't pay for a boiler service plan. We pay a local reputable company to come and service the boiler once a year (£75 when it was last done in February)

We make sure we have money set aside for if any problems do arise with the heating or hot water systems.

Having reason another post on Viesmann services how do you know they are doing the service as per the manufacturer's service schedule,