The short answer
Before booking any boiler work, confirm the engineer is Gas Safe registered for gas or OFTEC registered for oil, ask what the visit includes, and get a written quote for anything beyond a diagnosis. A local engineer who covers your postcode regularly is usually easier to book and more familiar with the housing stock. Jamie Crawford Heating is based in Radstock and lists its service areas on the areas page.
Check the right registration for your fuel
Anyone working on gas appliances in the UK must be on the Gas Safe Register, and the card they carry lists the types of work they are qualified for. You can check an engineer's number on the Gas Safe Register website before the visit. For oil boilers, look for OFTEC registration, which can be checked on the OFTEC website. An engineer who works on both fuels should be able to show both.
Questions worth asking before the visit
- Is the engineer registered for the fuel and appliance type?
- What does the visit or service include?
- Will you receive a written record or certificate afterwards?
- Are parts quoted before they are fitted?
- Does the business fit and repair the brand of boiler you have?
- Is the engineer covering your area as a normal part of their work?
Why local matters for boilers
Boiler work often needs a return visit for a part, a follow-up check or next year's service. An engineer based nearby can usually fit that in more easily. Local engineers also know the common property types in their patch: stone cottages with awkward flue routes, rural homes on oil, older terraces with open-vented systems. That knowledge shortens diagnosis.
Reading a quote
A clear quote names the boiler model, lists the controls, flue and any system work such as flushing or new valves, and explains what paperwork you receive at the end. For oil, it should say whether tank or supply line work is included. If two quotes differ widely, compare the line items rather than the totals, since one may be leaving out work the other includes.
Warning signs
Be cautious if an engineer cannot show registration, recommends replacing the boiler without testing it, will not put a quote in writing, or pressures you to decide on the doorstep. A good engineer explains the fault in plain terms and gives you time to decide.
If there is a gas smell
Do not wait to find an engineer. Turn off the gas at the meter if it is safe to do so, open windows, avoid using switches or flames, leave the property and call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999.
What you should receive after the work
Paperwork matters as much as the repair. After a service you should have a written record of what was checked and any readings taken. After an installation you should receive the commissioning record, registration confirmation with the manufacturer and, for notifiable work, a building regulations compliance certificate. Landlords should receive a gas safety record for each let property. Keep them together, because they support guarantee claims and are often asked for when a house is sold.
If anything on the record is unclear, such as a reading or a part marked as advisory, ask the engineer to explain it before they leave. An advisory note today is often the cheapest repair you will ever make.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check an engineer is Gas Safe registered?
Ask for their Gas Safe ID card and check the licence number on the Gas Safe Register website. The card also shows which types of gas work they can carry out.
Who can work on an oil boiler?
Look for an OFTEC registered technician. Registration can be checked on the OFTEC website.
Which areas does Jamie Crawford Heating cover?
The business is based in Radstock. The areas page lists the towns and postcode districts covered.
What should I do if I smell gas?
Leave the property, avoid switches and flames, and call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999 straight away.
Related pages
Speak to a local engineer
Based at 24 Bristol Rd, Radstock BA3 3EE. Open Mon–Fri 8:30am–5:00pm.