What Is an Annual Plumbing Plan?
An annual plumbing plan is a service offered by plumbing and heating companies to provide regular maintenance and emergency call-out coverage for a fixed yearly fee. Think of it like a subscription service for your home’s plumbing and heating systems. You pay a set amount each year, and in return, the company takes care of scheduled maintenance—such as an annual boiler service or checking your soil pipes—and provides priority access for emergency call outs. This can include everything from fixing minor water leaks to addressing more complex heating issues.
Most companies offering these plans give customers a range of options, sometimes referred to as care packages or cover plans, that vary in cost and level of coverage. Some plans might just focus on your boiler or heating system, while others can cover the entire plumbing system in your property, from taps and toilets to hot water cylinders and heating controls.
Maintaining the plumbing in your home is one of those things that can easily slip down the to-do list, right alongside clearing out the garage or finally getting around to painting the shed. It’s understandable. After all, as long as the taps work, the loo flushes, and you’ve got hot water in the morning, what’s the rush?
Unfortunately, leaving plumbing maintenance until something goes wrong can lead to expensive repairs and a lot of stress. This is where annual plumbing plans come into play.
You’ve probably heard of annual service plans for boilers or central heating, but what exactly is an annual plumbing plan? And more importantly, is it something worth investing in?
In this guide, we’ll break down what these plans entail, how they can save you time, money, and headaches, and why they might just be the smartest way to protect your home’s plumbing and heating system.
Why Consider an Annual Plumbing Plan?
While plumbing might not be at the forefront of your mind, the truth is that a malfunctioning heating system or a burst pipe can cause significant disruption to your home life—not to mention hefty repair bills. An annual plumbing plan helps to spread the cost of maintenance and repair over the year, so you’re not hit with a large, unexpected expense if something goes wrong. Here’s why they’re worth considering:
1. Peace of Mind
Whether you’re a homeowner or a landlord, knowing that your plumbing and heating systems are being regularly maintained can provide peace of mind. For landlords, this is especially important, as many plans can include a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, which is a legal requirement when renting out property. Even as a homeowner, you’ll feel reassured that your heating system is in top condition and any potential issues can be caught early on.
Read More: Guide To Landlord Plumbing & Heating Responsibilities
2. Priority Access and Minimal Disruption
If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of waiting days for an engineer to fix a broken boiler, you’ll appreciate the value of priority access. Many annual plumbing plans give you priority plumbing service, meaning your issues are dealt with faster, reducing downtime and getting things back to normal with minimal disruption. This can be especially important during the winter months when heating issues are most likely to occur.
3. Scheduled Maintenance
One of the key benefits of an annual plumbing plan is the inclusion of routine boiler maintenance, such as an annual boiler service. Boilers, much like cars, need regular servicing to operate efficiently and safely. An annual service ensures your boiler is running smoothly and helps prevent breakdowns. For those on a boiler service plan, this scheduled maintenance is essential for prolonging the life of your appliance and ensuring it remains energy efficient.
In addition to the boiler, plans can cover other key aspects of your home’s plumbing and common plumbing problems, such as checking the health of your heating controls, ensuring no leaks are present in soil pipes, and making sure your hot water system is running at its best.
4. Cost Savings
Plumbing issues have a habit of appearing at the worst possible time. Maybe you’ve just gone on holiday, or perhaps you’ve got a full house at Christmas, and suddenly the heating fails, or there’s water leaking from the ceiling. In these moments, the call-out costs for emergency plumbing services can skyrocket, especially during out-of-hours periods.
Annual plumbing plans help to eliminate the surprise factor. While the upfront cost of the plan might seem like an additional expense, it often works out cheaper in the long run, as you’re spreading the cost of call outs and maintenance over the year.
Plus, regular servicing helps to prevent expensive breakdowns before they occur.
Find Out More: How Much Do Plumbing Services Cost On Average?
5. Comprehensive Coverage
While some plans focus primarily on heating systems, others extend to cover a range of plumbing services, from fixing water leaks and maintaining the gas appliance in your kitchen to checking the efficiency of your central heating system.
Depending on the company and plan you choose, you may also have access to add-ons such as inspections of your home’s pipework or even an annual check on your gas safety certificate. This can be particularly valuable for landlords, who are legally required to have an up-to-date certificate each year.
What’s Typically Included in an Annual Plumbing Plan?
While the specifics can vary depending on the provider, most plans tend to cover the following areas:
- Annual Boiler Service: This includes a thorough check of your boiler’s performance, cleaning any parts that need attention, and ensuring the system is safe and efficient. It’s essential for keeping your heating system in tip-top condition and preventing breakdowns. Boiler breakdowns can be a significant issue for UK homeowners, with an estimated 2.3% of boilers failing annually. This may seem like a small percentage, but it means over 500,000 homes face boiler malfunctions each year.
- Central Heating System Check: Ensuring your radiators, pipework, and heating controls are all functioning properly is crucial for maintaining a warm and energy-efficient home.
- Plumbing System Maintenance: This can include checking for leaks in taps, toilets, and soil pipes, ensuring no blockages are present, and maintaining water pressure throughout the property.
- Gas Appliance Inspection: Many plans include checks on any gas appliances in your home, such as cookers or fireplaces, to ensure they are operating safely and efficiently.
- Emergency Call-Outs: If you have a plumbing emergency, such as a burst pipe or a gas leak, most plans will include emergency call-outs with minimal additional costs.
- Landlord Gas Safety Certificate: For landlords, this is a legal requirement. Many annual plumbing plans include an inspection to issue a valid certificate, ensuring your property meets safety regulations.
Is an Annual Plumbing Plan Worth the Cost?
The value of an annual plumbing plan largely depends on your specific needs. If you live in a newer home with a relatively modern heating system, you might not experience frequent issues. However, even in this case, regular maintenance is still essential to ensure the longevity of your system. For homes with older plumbing or heating systems, an annual plan can be a lifeline, offering cost-effective coverage for repairs and maintenance.
The costs associated with boiler repairs are substantial, with homeowners spending around £154 million annually across the country.
For landlords, the inclusion of the Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and the ability to budget for unexpected repairs can make these plans an invaluable investment. Not only do they help you meet your legal obligations, but they also ensure your tenants’ safety and comfort.
In either case, the key advantage is peace of mind. Knowing you’ve got a reliable, trusted plumbing service at your disposal without the fear of unexpected bills is a major plus, whether you’re responsible for your own home or a portfolio of rental properties.
Choosing the Right Plan
When considering a plan, it’s essential to look at the specifics of what’s covered. Ask yourself:
- Does the plan include everything I need, such as an annual boiler service, heating system maintenance, and plumbing checks?
- Will I have priority access in case of emergencies?
- Does the plan offer minimal disruption and ensure fast response times?
- What are the exclusions? Some plans may not cover certain appliances or services, so it’s worth reading the fine print.
- What’s the overall cost? While monthly payments might seem low, do the maths to ensure the plan offers good value for money.
What is included in the Lazard annual cover plan?
We’ll take care of all your plumbing work and be on call if you need us in an emergency, so you can get back to family life.
360 degree assessment
Every membership starts with a FREE 360 Degree Assessment of your home’s plumbing where a technician will investigate the condition of your current plumbing setup and provide recommendations on making your home more energy efficient, which means you’ll save on your energy bills and reduce the risk of your boiler breaking down too.
2 hour emergency call out
Call outs include gas and water leaks, flooding or burst pipes and anything dangerous related to plumbing, heating or gas.
5% discounts across all works and services
Our annual cover not only keeps your home protected, but members also save 5% across all our services.
Job priority
Receive job priority across all services, even if it isn’t an emergency.
Exclusive news
Be the first to find out about other services Lazard Plumbing are offering in your area.
Lifetime warranty on power flushing
Get lifetime warranty on power flushing or as long as you are a member.
Looking for a Reliable & Professional Plumbing Plan?
An annual plumbing plan is much more than just a safety net; it’s a proactive way to keep your home’s plumbing and heating systems running smoothly all year round. By investing in one of these service plans, you can avoid the stress and financial burden of unexpected breakdowns, ensure your appliances are maintained regularly, and, most importantly, enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re covered.
At Lazard, our reliable team of plumbers are fully qualified to help you, whether your home is in need of plumbing, underfloor heating installation, gas boilers and central heating, power flushing or bathroom refurbs, we can help.
You can expect a prompt and professional service every time, with the work carried out by our friendly and reliable team. All works completed by us are covered under our 24-month guarantee, so if anything goes wrong within a year, we’ll be back to put it right.
Get in touch today
Annual Plumbing Plans FAQs
What is included in an annual plumbing plan?
An annual plumbing plan typically includes routine maintenance such as an annual boiler service, central heating checks, plumbing system inspections, and priority access for emergency call-outs. Depending on the plan, you may also receive coverage for repairs and annual checks on gas appliances or a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate if you’re a landlord.
Are annual plumbing plans worth the cost?
Yes, annual plumbing plans can be cost-effective, especially if you want to avoid unexpected repair bills. They help spread the cost of maintenance and emergency repairs throughout the year while ensuring regular checks to prevent breakdowns. For landlords, the inclusion of legal safety certificates adds extra value.
How often should my boiler be serviced?
Your boiler should be serviced annually to ensure it’s working efficiently and safely. An annual service can help prevent breakdowns, maintain energy efficiency, and extend the lifespan of your boiler. Most plumbing plans include this service as part of their coverage.