Blue Flame vs British Gas — Honest 2026 Comparison
How Blue Flame compares to British Gas on price, warranty, aftercare, and installation quality.
A clear, expert comparison between local Gas Safe engineers and the UK’s biggest national installer. No bias. No sales fluff. Just facts to help homeowners make the right decision in 2026.
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✔️ Real engineer-backed warranty
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✔️ Transparent installation costs
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✔️ Faster aftercare than national call-centres
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✔️ Same-day repairs available locally
Family-run • Award-winning • 5★ Rated
British Gas is the UK’s largest national heating company, while Blue Flame is a trusted local installer with in-house Gas Safe engineers and faster, more personal aftercare. This page gives a clear, honest comparison of prices, warranty, installation quality, and customer service, so you can decide which option offers the best value and long-term peace of mind for your home.
Blue Flame vs British Gas — Quick Comparison
| Feature | Blue Flame | British Gas |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers | Local, in-house Gas Safe team | Mix of British Gas employees + subcontractors |
| Warranty | Blue Flame In-House Warranty™ (Up-to 5 years) | British Gas warranty – Very similar |
| Aftercare | Fast, local response (same/next day) | Slower national scheduling; call-centre triage |
| Diagnostics | Advanced engineer-led diagnostics | Standard BG call-out process |
| Price Transparency | Clear, upfront fixed prices | Less transparent; prices vary depending on location |
| Service Plans | Simple, fair Boiler Cover plans | Higher monthly HomeCare fees |
| Customer Support | Speak directly to engineers | Call-centre support, longer wait times |
| Install Quality | Consistent, local workmanship | Variable depending on subcontractor |
Summary:
British Gas is the UK’s biggest installer — but Blue Flame wins on speed, price clarity, warranty accountability, and engineer quality.
Who Is Best for What?
When British Gas may be the better choice:
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You want finance options through a major national provider
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You prefer a big-brand feel
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You live outside South Wales
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You want a nationwide HomeCare plan (though more expensive)
When Blue Flame is the better choice:
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You want faster aftercare and local accountability
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You want engineer-backed diagnosis and fewer repeat visits
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You prefer transparent pricing with no call-centre upsells
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You want a better value warranty handled directly by local installers
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You want real Gas Safe engineers, not subcontractors
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You care about supporting local business
Installation Price Differences
Realistic 2025 price ranges based on national averages + your own cost LPs:
| Boiler Type | Blue Flame | British Gas |
|---|---|---|
| Combi to Combi | £1,800–£3,000 | £2,500–£3,800 |
| System to Combi Conversion | £3,000–£4,000 | £3,500–£5,000 |
| Back Boiler Replacement | £3,200–£5,000 | £4,500–£6,500 |
| Regular/System Replacement | £2,200–£3,200 | £3,200–£4,500 |
British Gas tends to be £800–£1,800 more expensive than local installers due to overheads and subcontractors.
Blue Flame vs British Gas: Key Differences at a Glance
A quick, honest comparison of the four things homeowners care about most: engineers, warranty, aftercare and pricing.
Engineers
Blue Flame: Local, in-house Gas Safe engineer team
British Gas: Mix of full-time engineers and subcontractors
Warranty & Protection
Blue Flame: In-House Warranty™ & Free Silver Cover for 12 months
British Gas: BG warranty; call-centre-led aftercare
Aftercare & Breakdown Respones
Blue Flame: Same or next-day local engineer response
British Gas: Longer national scheduling; call-centre triage before engineer attends
Pricing & Transparency
Blue Flame: Clear, fixed prices with no hidden extras
British Gas: Higher national pricing; varies by region & subcontractor availability
Blue Flame Warranty™ — Up to 5 Years Parts & Labour (In-House)
Every new boiler installation includes our premium Blue Flame Warranty™, providing up to 5 years of full parts-and-labour cover, handled entirely by our own local engineers.
✔ No call centres.
✔ No delays
✔ No hassle
✔ Expert installation
✔ Expert servicing
✔ Expert repairs
Our In-House Warranty – Managed by our engineers.
Complimentary Silver Cover Included with Every Boiler Installation
Why this is included:
Included because we selectively install only the most reliable boilers and models. We back our work with in-house parts & labour warranty, we’re confident enough to include complimentary cover.
Continue Your Cover After Year One
Continue your protection from just £6.99 per month after the free first year.
- In-house parts & labour warranty
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Manufacturer parts warranty (where applicable)
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12 months complimentary Silver Cover
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Ongoing servicing continuity with the same local team
“It’s a benefit we can offer because we control the quality from installation to aftercare.”
Detailed Pros & Cons
Blue Flame — Pros
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Faster response times
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In-house engineers
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Better value warranty
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Local accountability
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Fixed, transparent prices
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High first-time fix rates
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Direct communication — no call centre
Blue Flame — Cons
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Only covers South Wales area
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Smaller team (more personal, but limited geography)
British Gas — Pros
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Nationwide coverage
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Large engineering network
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Well-known brand
British Gas — Cons
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Higher prices
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Subcontractor variation in quality
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Aftercare delays
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Heavy call-centre involvement
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HomeCare plans are costly
Frequently Asked Questions
Is British Gas more expensive than Blue Flame?
British Gas is typically £800–£1,800 more expensive for a like-for-like installation due to national overheads and subcontractor models.
Blue Flame offer transparent fixed pricing, direct with local engineers, with no hidden extras or upsells.
Do British Gas use subcontractors?
Yes. British Gas use a mix of full-time engineers and subcontractors depending on the area.
Blue Flame use only in-house Gas Safe engineers, giving you consistent workmanship, full accountability, and faster follow-up support.
Which warranty is better — Blue Flame or British Gas?
Blue Flame’s In-House Warranty™ provides up to 5 years parts & labour with direct engineer support.
British Gas warranties are similar in length, but you’ll go through national call-centre triage which may delay appointments.
Blue Flame diagnose and fix issues locally.
Is British Gas quicker or slower for breakdowns?
Response times vary across the UK depending on engineer availability.
Blue Flame typically offer same-day or next-day breakdown support across South Wales thanks to our local team and smaller geographic radius.
Do British Gas offer fixed-price boiler installations?
British Gas prices can vary depending on postcode, installer availability, and survey results.
Blue Flame quotes are genuine fixed-price — the price you see is the price you pay, with no mid-job add-ons or upsells.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are British Gas boiler installations good quality?
Quality varies because British Gas jobs may be completed by either a full-time engineer or a subcontractor.
Blue Flame guarantee consistent installation quality because all work is done by our own Gas Safe engineers, with full post-installation audits.
Is British Gas HomeCare worth the money?
HomeCare offers broad national coverage but is often one of the most expensive boiler cover products in the UK.
Blue Flame’s cover provides faster, local, accountable support at a lower monthly cost — with real engineers attending, not third-party contractors.
Should I choose British Gas or a local installer like Blue Flame?
Choose British Gas if you prefer a national brand with large-scale call-centre support.
Choose Blue Flame if you want better value, faster aftercare, and direct accountability from local Gas Safe engineers you meet in person.
Why do some issues appear after a British Gas installation?
When any installer drains and refills a system, older radiator valves, washers, or pipe joints may reveal small leaks.
Large national installers often cannot return for non-boiler-related issues because subcontractors are not paid for these callbacks.
Blue Flame handle these issues quickly and locally — we diagnose the true cause with honest, engineer-led advice.
Are British Gas engineers difficult to get during busy winter periods?
British Gas call centres experience high seasonal demand which can lead to longer waiting times.
Blue Flame run a local priority system, meaning quicker winter callouts and engineers who know your property history.