People call us for boiler installs after the same two moments: the “no hot water” morning, or the engineer who shows up, sighs, and says something like “it’s had a good run”. If that’s where you’re at, you don’t need a lecture — you need a calm plan and someone who’ll do the job like they live there.
We’re ARA Services Ltd. Gas Safe engineers based in East London (E7), usually bouncing between Forest Gate, Stratford, Whitechapel and the A12 corridor. If you want to talk it through, call us on +44 7727 154 746. Phone first, no pushy finance chat — just a straight answer.
You’ll see plenty of “supply and fit” prices online. Some are fair. Some… let’s just say they’re optimistic. A boiler is the shiny part. The boring parts — cleaning, protection, commissioning — are what decide whether you forget about it for 10+ years or you keep googling error codes at 7am.
We ask the unglamorous questions: how many showers happen back-to-back, whether the kitchen tap slows down when the heating kicks in, if the top floor is always colder, what your water pressure is like on a normal weekday. Then we size properly — radiator output, hot water demand, pipework realities — not “biggest one = safest”.
If you want to sanity-check output before anyone quotes you, start here: how to choose the right boiler size.
Before anything comes off the wall, we look at what the boiler is connecting into. Microbore pipework, tired pumps, old valves, dodgy joins hidden behind boxing — London properties have character. Sometimes too much. We check the flue route properly and keep it safe, compliant, and sensible (not “wherever the drill reaches”).
If you’re in the “is my flue even allowed there?” stage, this helps: boiler flue rules + condensate in London.
Sludge is the silent killer. You can install a top-tier boiler onto a filthy system and it’ll still suffer. We assess whether you need a chemical clean, a proper power flush, magnetic filtration, inhibitor levels — the lot. It’s not “extras for the sake of it”. It’s protection.
Not sure if flushing is actually needed? power flush — when it’s worth it.
And this is the simple stuff that prevents a lot of future grief: magnetic filter + inhibitor basics.
If you’re thinking long-term (smart), see: keeping your boiler healthy year after year.
This is the part most people never notice — until it’s skipped. We set flow temperatures sensibly, check gas pressures, balance radiators, confirm safe operation, register warranties, and walk you through controls so you’re not heating the house like it’s 2003.
Warranty length sounds simple, but the rules aren’t. If you want the plain-English version: boiler warranty lengths explained.
If you’ve got questions mid-way, you’re speaking to an engineer — not a call centre reading from a screen.
A few winters back, we got called to a flat just off Mile End Road. The owner had already paid for a “fast boiler swap” a month earlier. On paper: new combi installed, job done. In reality: radiators half warm, hot water going tepid halfway through a shower, and the boiler short-cycling like it was bored. They weren’t angry — they were just tired.
The issue wasn’t the brand. It was the install. System hadn’t been cleaned, filter missing, controls left on defaults, and the boiler was oversized “just in case”. We cleaned the circuit, corrected a couple of pipework oddities, set the controls properly, balanced the system… and suddenly the place felt warmer on a lower setting. That’s the difference between “installed” and “set up to last”.
We’ve been doing this in London long enough to know the patterns: the terrace with the awkward kitchen cupboard install, the conversion flat with microbore pipework, the maisonette where pressure drops the moment someone opens a tap. It’s not about being fancy. It’s about being thorough.
If you’re pricing this up, don’t get stuck on “boiler only” numbers. Installed cost depends on your setup: combi vs cylinder, flue route, gas supply, system condition, and access. It’s why one quote can look “cheap” then suddenly grow legs on install day.
For pricing pages that actually match real homes: boiler change prices in London and installed boiler cost (fitted). If you want the explanation behind the spread, start here: why quotes differ so much.
Not marketing claims — just the real-world stuff homeowners notice a week later. Usually when they realise they’ve stopped fiddling with the thermostat.
“Radiators finally heat evenly — upstairs isn’t freezing anymore. The engineer actually explained what he was doing, which… honestly never happens.”
Customer near Stratford High Street“We thought we needed the biggest boiler. Turns out we didn’t. Quieter, lower bills, and the hot water doesn’t drop off.”
Family in Forest Gate“They were upfront about what would add cost and what wouldn’t. No weird surprises at the end. Also left the kitchen cleaner than it started.”
Flat owner near King’s CrossIf you’re not sure whether you need a replacement or a repair, call us on +44 7727 154 746 and we’ll tell you straight.
Sometimes the right move is not a new boiler. If a repair is sensible and safe, we’ll say so. If replacement is the smarter option, we’ll explain why in plain language — parts availability, efficiency drop-off, reliability, and what you’ll actually gain. If you want the detailed cost breakdown, see the new boiler cost & installation guide.
Short version: send a photo of your current boiler, your hot water setup, and your fuse spur/controls to our contact page and we’ll come back with a realistic direction.
London homes are rarely “standard”. We fit combis, system boilers, and regular boilers — and we’re comfortable with awkward cupboards, tight airing cupboards, and older pipework that needs a grown-up plan rather than a rushed swap.
Great for many flats and smaller homes when hot water demand is sensible and water pressure is decent. We’ll be honest if a combi will struggle for your setup.
If you’re comparing options, here’s a useful page: combi installation pricing in real homes.
For homes with higher hot water demand (multiple bathrooms, busy mornings), a cylinder setup can be the calm, reliable choice. Done right, it’s brilliant. Done badly, it’s a headache.
If you’re switching to a combi and worried the gas run won’t support it, read: gas pipe sizing for a new combi.
If you suspect your system has an existing fault, start here: help with boiler faults and repairs.
Sometimes you just want the old one out and a reliable replacement in the same spot — quickly, cleanly, and safely. We’ll still check the system properly so the new boiler isn’t being set up to fail.
Two add-ons people ask about a lot: moving the boiler (boiler relocation options) and protecting against scale (hard water + limescale protection).
Want deeper reading (without fluff)? full cost and install breakdown here.
We’re based near Forest Gate (E7). Most days you’ll find us moving between Stratford, Plaistow, Whitechapel and the A12 corridor. If you want to check whether we cover your street, just message us — it’s faster than hunting for a perfect “areas” page.
A straight like-for-like swap in the same location is often a day, sometimes less if access is simple. If we’re moving the boiler, changing flue routes, upgrading controls, sorting old pipework, or doing a proper flush on a tired system, it can take longer. We’ll tell you upfront — not halfway through while your kitchen is in bits.
It depends on boiler type, flue/condensate route, gas supply, and how clean/protected the system is. For realistic installed ranges, see fitted boiler cost in London and boiler change prices.
Sometimes, yes — but we’ll ask a few questions first because not every “deal” is actually suitable. If you’ve bought the wrong output, the wrong type (combi vs system), or a model that doesn’t play nicely with your setup, it can turn into a false economy. If you’re unsure, call us before you click buy and we’ll sanity-check it.
Skipping protection and setup. No filter, no proper cleaning, controls left at factory settings, radiators never balanced. The boiler works… kind of… then a year later it’s noisy, inefficient, or throwing faults. That’s why we’re so fussy about commissioning.
Yes. We’ll look at bathrooms, hot water demand, water pressure, space, and how you actually live. If you’ve got one bathroom and reasonable pressure, a combi can be great. If mornings are chaotic and you’re feeding multiple showers, a cylinder setup might be the calmer choice.
We assess it every time. Some systems need a full power flush; others need a chemical clean and proper filtration. It depends on the condition, sludge levels, radiator performance, and how the system’s been treated over the years. We’ll explain which route we recommend and why.
Send photos (boiler, controls, pipework around it, your hot water setup/cylinder if you have one) and a quick note about bathrooms and radiators. Use this contact form and we’ll come back with a realistic range, not a fantasy number. If you prefer a quick chat, call +44 7727 154 746.
Tell us what you’ve got and what you want to achieve. We’ll explain options clearly, flag any likely extras early, and give you a proper plan — not a rushed quote that falls apart on install day.
