Heating & Gas Engineer FAQ

Once a year. Most manufacturers require annual servicing to keep your warranty valid. It's also the best way to catch small problems before they become expensive repairs, and to confirm your boiler is running safely.

A combi boiler service costs £80. Landlords can combine a service with a CP12 gas safety certificate for £120.

A standard combi boiler service takes 45–60 minutes. System boilers typically take 60–75 minutes due to additional components.

Yes — a digital service record is emailed to you on the day of the service. This is your proof of servicing for warranty purposes.

Yes — I service all major brands including Worcester Bosch, Vaillant, Ideal, Baxi, Viessmann, Potterton, Glow-worm, Main and more.

Ensure clear access to the boiler. Switching the heating on 30 minutes beforehand is helpful so the boiler is at operating temperature.

If you can smell gas, leave the property and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. If there's no gas smell but you have no heating or hot water, call or WhatsApp me on 07931 729 022. Same-day attendance may be available depending on workload, location and parts availability.

The standard diagnostic visit is £80, including the first 60 minutes, which is credited toward the repair cost if the repair is completed on the same visit. The repair cost itself depends on what's needed, and I'll always agree a clear price with you before any repair work begins.

Repeatedly dropping pressure usually indicates a small system leak (radiator valve, pipework joint, or boiler component), a failing expansion vessel, or a faulty pressure relief valve. I'll diagnose the cause and fix it properly rather than just topping up the pressure.

Often yes. The condensate pipe is the small plastic pipe that exits through an external wall. Pour warm (not boiling) water over the frozen section, then press reset on your boiler. If it fires up, you've fixed it. If not, call me.

Yes — 3 months on all workmanship. Parts are covered by the manufacturer's own warranty, which varies by component.

As a rough guide: if a repair costs more than half the value of a new boiler, and the boiler is over 10 years old, replacement is usually the better financial decision. I'll give you an honest view either way — I don't have a financial incentive to push you toward a replacement.

A CP12 (Gas Safety Record) is the official document confirming that all gas appliances in a rented property have been inspected and are safe by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It's a legal annual requirement for all landlords.

£70, covering up to two gas appliances (for example, boiler plus a gas fire or hob). Each additional appliance beyond two is £15. The CP12 combined with an annual boiler service costs £120.

The property is no longer covered by a valid gas safety record once it lapses, which puts you in breach of your legal obligations. It's best to book a renewal before the expiry date, or as soon as possible afterwards.

The landlord is always responsible for obtaining and renewing the CP12. Tenants must be given a copy within 28 days of the inspection, and before they move in if they are new tenants.

Yes — I keep a record of all certificate expiry dates for customers and contact you in advance. All landlord package customers receive automatic renewal reminders.

At minimum: an annual CP12 gas safety certificate, smoke alarms on every floor, a CO alarm in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance, and a Legionella risk assessment reviewed whenever circumstances or the water system change. An EICR electrical safety check is generally required at least every 5 years, or sooner if the report specifies. This is a general summary, not legal advice — GOV.UK and the HSE hold the current guidance for your situation.

Yes. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and HSE guidance (HSG274), landlords have a legal duty of care to assess and control Legionella risk in every rental property. Most landlords don't know this — which means most are non-compliant.

Yes — CP12, boiler service, Legionella risk assessment, and smoke and CO alarm checks can all be completed in a single property visit. One appointment, one invoice.

Yes — I work with letting agents across Greater Manchester, handling compliance across their whole managed portfolio. Certificates are issued digitally on the day, invoicing is grouped by landlord or property, and I track renewal dates so nothing lapses.

Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas engineers who are legally registered and qualified to work on gas appliances in the UK. It's a legal requirement to use a Gas Safe registered engineer for all gas work. Yes—McNamara Heating is Gas Safe registered. Customers can verify the business through the official Gas Safe Register and should ask to see Stephen's Gas Safe ID card on arrival.

I'm based in Droylsden, Greater Manchester. I cover Droylsden, Audenshaw, Ashton-under-Lyne, Denton, Hyde, Oldham, Rochdale, Stalybridge, Dukinfield and the wider Greater Manchester area. Call to confirm coverage in your specific location.

Yes — Gas Safe registered. You can verify this directly at gassaferegister.co.uk.

Yes — I carry £2 million public liability insurance.

Call or WhatsApp 07931 729 022 and I'll give you a fixed price. For boiler services, repairs and CP12 certificates, I publish transparent guide prices on each service page — so you'll know the cost before I attend.

I ask for 24 hours' notice to change or cancel a booked appointment where possible. This lets me offer the slot to another customer.