If you've been comparing boiler quotes, you've probably come across national online-first companies like BOXT alongside local installers like us. Both routes can get you a new boiler fitted — the difference is in who actually turns up, and what happens if you need help afterwards.
This isn't about badmouthing national companies. For a simple, standard boiler swap, they can be a perfectly reasonable option. This page is here to give you an honest, direct comparison so you can choose the right fit for your home — not a sales pitch either way.
Local vs National: The Direct Comparison
| What matters | National Company | Lewis Heating & Plumbing |
|---|---|---|
| Who installs your boiler | A subcontracted engineer, often different each visit | The same Gas Safe engineer, survey to aftercare |
| Aftercare contact | Call centre, ticket-based | Direct call to the engineer who did your job |
| Pricing | Fixed, online quote | Fixed, from £1,795, same-day survey confirms scope |
| Finance | 0% available | 0% available up to 12 months on Worcester Bosch boilers |
| Local knowledge | Engineer may travel from outside your area | Based in Hindley Green — knows Wigan, Bolton, Leigh housing stock |
| Accountability if something needs fixing | Reassigned to next available subcontractor | Same business, same engineer, every time |
Where National Companies Do Well
To be fair, national installers have real strengths: instant online quotes without needing to give contact details upfront, next-day availability in most areas, and large review volumes that make them an easy, low-risk-feeling choice for a straightforward like-for-like swap.
If your installation is genuinely simple — same boiler location, no pipework changes, easy access — a national company can be a solid, convenient option.
Where a Local Installer Wins
One Engineer, Start to Finish
National companies subcontract installations to local engineers in your area — meaning the person who surveys your home, the person who installs the boiler, and the person who comes back if there's an issue can all be different people working for different subcontracting firms. With us, it's the same Gas Safe registered engineer every time. No handoffs, no repeating yourself to someone new.
Real Accountability
If something needs adjusting after install, you're not raising a ticket with a call centre and waiting for the next available subcontractor. You call us directly, and the engineer who fitted your boiler comes back to sort it.
Non-Standard Installs Handled Properly
Every provider can price a simple swap accurately. The differences show up when a property needs extra pipework, a boiler relocation, or has an older heating system that needs adapting. A local engineer who has surveyed the property in person — not just answered questions in an online form — is better placed to catch these issues before the install day, not on it.
Every Job Treated Like Our Own Home
As a small, local, family-run business — Stefan and Zak, not a call centre — every installation reflects directly on our name and our reviews. That's a strong incentive to get it right the first time.
Fixed Prices — No Surprises
| Boiler Model | Fully Installed Price |
|---|---|
| Navien NCB 300 28kW (5-year warranty, cash price only) | £1,795 |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar 1000 24kW | £1,995 |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar 1000 30kW | £2,195 |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar 2000 25kW | £2,395 |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar 2000 30kW | £2,495 |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000 25kW | £2,595 |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000 30kW | £2,795 |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000 32kW | £3,295 |
All prices include supply, installation, flue, filter, commissioning, Gas Safe certificate, and Worcester Bosch manufacturer warranty registration. 0% finance available over 12 months on Worcester Bosch boilers, subject to status. Finance is not available on the Navien NCB 300.
Compare Us for Yourself
Get an instant fixed-price quote — same Gas Safe engineer from survey to install, and every time after.
Get My Instant Quote → 📞 01942 800158Frequently Asked Questions
Is a local boiler installer cheaper than a national company like BOXT?
Prices are often comparable for standard installs. We offer fixed-price installations from £1,795 (Navien NCB 300 28kW combi) or from £1,995 for a Worcester Bosch Greenstar 1000, with 0% finance available on Worcester Bosch boilers, matching or beating national pricing while keeping the same engineer accountable from quote to aftercare.
Who actually installs my boiler with a national company?
National online-first boiler companies typically subcontract installations to local engineers in your area, meaning you rarely deal with the same company representative twice. We send the same Gas Safe registered engineer for the survey, install, and any aftercare.
What happens if something goes wrong after a national boiler install?
With a national company, aftercare is usually handled through a call centre, and the engineer who attends for follow-up work may not be the one who did the original install. With us, you call the same business and the same engineer directly.
Do local installers offer 0% finance like national boiler companies?
Yes. We offer 0% interest-free finance up to 12 months on Worcester Bosch boiler installations, matching the finance options typically offered by national companies.
The Bottom Line
Both routes can get you a working boiler. The real question is what you value more: the convenience of an online-first national process, or a single accountable local engineer who surveys, installs, and answers the phone if you need us again.
We're happy to quote alongside any national company — get in touch and compare for yourself.
Get a Fixed Price Today
Instant online quote — no phone calls required. Finance available from 0%.
Get My Quote → 📞 Call 01942 800158Lewis Heating & Plumbing Ltd · Company No. 16460026 · Gas Safe Registered 928523 · Hindley Green, Wigan · FCA FRN 1055713