Our Services

Plumbing and heating across Felixstowe, Ipswich and the rest of Suffolk

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What areas of Suffolk do you cover?

Most work is in Felixstowe, Ipswich, Kesgrave, and Woodbridge, but we cover the surrounding areas and the rest of Suffolk too. If you're anywhere in the county, give Joby a call on 07393 998 344.

Are you Gas Safe registered?

Yes. Howe Heating is Gas Safe registered under number 5074, which is the legal requirement to work on any natural gas appliance in the UK. You are welcome to ask to see the Gas Safe ID card before any gas work starts.

Do you offer emergency or out-of-hours callouts?

Yes, 24-hour callouts are available for genuine emergencies, such as a gas leak, no heating in cold weather, or a leaking boiler. Standard hours are 08:00 to 18:00 every day; outside that, call the same number and it will go straight to Joby.

Do you charge for quotes?

No. Quotes are free, on-site if it's a bigger job like a new boiler or a bathroom install, or over the phone for smaller jobs. You'll have a clear written figure before any work is booked in.

How do I pay?

Bank transfer is the easiest option and what most customers use. Cheques and cash are also accepted. Payment is due on completion of the work, with bigger jobs sometimes split into a deposit and a balance, agreed up front.

How much is a new boiler?

Most boiler installations come in between £2,500 and £4,000 supplied and fitted, depending on the boiler model, the size of the system and whether any new pipework, flue, or position change is needed. You'll get a fixed written quote after the free survey, with no surprise charges.

How long does a boiler change take?

A straightforward like-for-like swap is usually done in a single day. Bigger jobs, such as swapping a system boiler for a combi, moving the boiler to a different room, or adding new pipework, can take two to five days. Joby will tell you up front exactly how long your job should take.

Which boiler brands do you install?

Typically Baxi (the Baxi 800 range especially), as we find them to be the best value for money and Joby is an approved installer. We also install Vaillant boilers, which are a more premium option, and other manufacturers if specified by the customer. Baxi is just as common as the other well-known brands and, in our opinion, gives the best value for money.

What warranty comes with a new boiler?

Manufacturer warranties for new boilers typically run between 7 and 12 years depending on the brand and model. Howe Heating registers the warranty for you when the install is finished, and you'll get the documentation with the Benchmark commissioning certificate.

Will you remove and dispose of my old boiler?

Yes. Old boiler removal and disposal is included in the install price. The old unit is taken away, recycled where possible, and you don't pay anything extra for it.

Do you charge a callout fee?

You will always get a clear price before any repair work is carried out, so there are no surprises on the invoice. Give us a ring and we will explain how the charge works for your particular job.

Can you repair any make of boiler?

Yes. Howe Heating repairs all major boiler brands. Where a repair needs manufacturer parts, we source them properly so any remaining warranty stays valid.

How quickly can you come out?

It depends on the diary, and we will be straight with you on the phone about when we can realistically get there. Genuine emergencies (no heat in cold weather, a leaking boiler, a gas leak) are prioritised and covered by the 24-hour callout service.

What plumbing jobs do you cover?

Everyday household plumbing: dripping and seized taps, leaking toilets, blocked traps, radiator work, towel-rail installs, outside taps, isolation valves, and everything in between. If it's water or waste in your home, we can sort it.

How much does a small plumbing job cost?

It depends on the job. Small jobs are usually quoted on the spot, and for anything bigger you will get a written quote before we start, so there are no surprises.

What if you need to come back with parts?

For jobs where parts are not on the van, we will tell you before we leave and book a return once the parts are in.

How much is a landlord gas safety certificate?

Prices depend on how many gas appliances are in the property. Get in touch with the address and appliance list and we will come back with a fixed price before anything is booked.

How quickly can you issue the certificate?

You will get the certificate for your records once the check is done, and copies can be sent to your letting agent or tenant if you would like.

What do you service?

Boilers, gas fires, air source heat pumps, and unvented hot water cylinders. If you have several appliances at the same address, we service them together at a discounted rate.

Do I actually need an annual service?

For a new boiler, yes: the manufacturer warranty is almost always conditional on annual servicing by a Gas Safe engineer. For older systems it is still worth doing to catch small issues before they turn into expensive breakdowns.

Do you supply the bathroom suite?

We can price supply-and-install as a single figure, or fit a suite you have bought yourself. Either way you will get a written quote covering the strip-out and the plumbing work.

How long does a bathroom install take?

It depends on what is involved (tiling, plastering, wet-room drainage). A straight swap of a tired suite is faster than a full refit. You will have an agreed timeline in the written quote before work starts.

What counts as an emergency?

A genuine emergency is anything unsafe or that will cause major damage if it's left until office hours: a gas leak, no heating in cold weather with vulnerable people in the house, a leaking boiler dripping onto ceilings or electrics, or a burst pipe. Anything less urgent is booked in as a normal callout.

I smell gas. What do I do first?

Ring the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 first. Turn off the gas at the meter, open windows and doors, and do not switch anything electrical on or off. Once the immediate danger has been dealt with, call Howe Heating on 07393 998 344 to sort the repair.

Is the out-of-hours rate different?

Out-of-hours emergency work is priced differently to standard daytime work, and the rate is always confirmed with you before we come out so there are no surprises.

When can I book air conditioning?

Air conditioning is launching soon. Call now to register your interest and we will be in touch as soon as bookings open, with an on-site survey and a fixed price.

What kind of installs will you cover?

Split systems and multi-split installations for domestic homes and small commercial units across Suffolk. All refrigerant work will be carried out to the required standards, with proper design and a written report at the end.