How to check a gas or heating engineer

Check the Gas Safe Register

By law, anyone who works on gas appliances or pipework in your home must be on the Gas Safe Register. This includes LPG. There is no exception.

Every registered engineer carries a Gas Safe ID card with a photo and a 7-digit licence number. Gas Safe Register issues a new card every year. Check the dates and the photo.

Search the register by the licence number, or the business by its registration number or trading name. Check that the engineer is qualified for the job you need, such as boilers, cookers, fires or LPG.

Check the other heating registers

Gas Safe covers gas only. For other fuels and systems, use the register for that work.

• OFTEC: registered technicians for oil boilers and oil tanks.
• MCS: certified installers for heat pumps and solar thermal. You must use one to get a Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.
• HETAS: registered installers for wood burners, stoves and solid fuel.
• Companies House: check that a limited company is active, and see its registered address.

Questions to ask before you book

Ask each firm the same questions, so you can compare them fairly.

• What is your Gas Safe licence number, or your OFTEC, MCS or HETAS number?
• Will you notify building control through your scheme, and what certificate will I get?
• Do you have public liability insurance? Can I see the certificate?
• Is the quote fixed, or an estimate? What is not included?
• When do you want payment? Do you need a deposit?

Paperwork you should get

You should always get a record or certificate. The right paperwork depends on the job.

• A new gas boiler: a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate from Gas Safe Register, usually within 10 to 15 working days.
• A new oil boiler, tank or stove: a certificate from the competent person scheme, or a completion certificate from building control.
• A heat pump: an MCS certificate, which you need for the grant.
• A landlord check: a landlord gas safety record.
• A service: a written service record.

Report illegal gas work

If someone does gas work and is not on the register, report it. Gas Safe Register takes reports of illegal gas work on 0800 408 5500.

If you think the work is dangerous, turn off the appliance and call 0800 111 999.

How our listings help

We are a directory. We do not do the work, and nobody pays for position. For each firm we show the register checks we did, the date, and a link to the register.

We do not check the quality of work or insurance unless a firm sends proof. If we did not find a firm on a register, we show nothing for that register, because a search can miss a firm.

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