What is the difference between a plumber and a heating engineer?

A plumber works on water supply, drainage and pipework — taps, toilets, showers, basins, leaks and waste. A heating engineer works on heating and hot water systems — boilers, radiators, controls and (if Gas Safe registered) any gas appliance. The job titles overlap, and many tradespeople in Exmouth are qualified in both. The legal restriction is that any work on gas must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Can a plumber work on a boiler?

Only if they are also Gas Safe registered. Any work on the gas side of a boiler — fitting, servicing, repairing or removing — is gas work and must be done by someone on the Gas Safe Register. A plumber who is not Gas Safe registered can still work on the water side, for example replacing pipework feeding a boiler, but cannot touch the appliance itself.

Do I need a Gas Safe engineer to bleed radiators?

No. Bleeding radiators, balancing the system and topping up pressure are plumbing tasks and do not involve gas. Any competent plumber or confident DIYer can do it. You only need a Gas Safe engineer once the boiler itself is involved — for example, if the boiler keeps losing pressure or needs servicing.

Who do I call for a new boiler in Exmouth?

A Gas Safe registered heating engineer. New boiler installations are notifiable under the Building Regulations, and the engineer must register the work with Gas Safe within 30 days. They will leave you a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate. Most Exmouth boiler quotes come from local plumbing companies that hold the Gas Safe registration in-house.

Is a heating engineer more expensive than a plumber?

Hourly rates are similar — typically £55 to £85 an hour in Exmouth and East Devon. The difference shows up on larger jobs because gas work has more compliance overhead, parts that are restricted to registered engineers, and a longer training pathway. For a simple radiator bleed you will not see a price difference; for a boiler swap you will.

Can the same person fit a kitchen and service a boiler?

Yes — many do. A local plumber who is also Gas Safe registered can plumb in a new kitchen sink, install a dishwasher and service the boiler on the same visit. This is one of the most useful things to confirm when you book: ask whether they cover both sides so you do not end up coordinating two trades.

What qualifications should a heating engineer have?

For gas work — current Gas Safe Register membership, which requires NVQ Level 3 in Domestic Natural Gas (or equivalent) and ongoing reassessment every five years. For unvented hot water cylinders — a Building Regulations G3 ticket. For commercial work — additional commercial gas qualifications. Ask to see the card; it lists the categories of work they are registered for.

Plumber or Heating Engineer? How to Know Who to Call

The job titles overlap and most homeowners book the wrong one at least once. Here is the simple rule, a job-by-job lookup, and what to ask before you let anyone touch your boiler.

Find a Plumber

The Quick Answer

The split is roughly water versus heat — but the legal line that matters is gas.

Plumber

Works on cold water, drainage, taps, toilets, showers, basins, leaks and pipework. A general plumber does not legally need any registration to work on unvented hot water or gas — but should be qualified.

Heating Engineer

Works on heating systems — boilers, radiators, controls, flues and gas pipework. If they work on gas appliances they must be Gas Safe registered. If they work on unvented cylinders they must hold a G3 ticket.

Job-by-Job: Who to Call

Ten of the most common jobs we see across Exmouth and East Devon — and the right trade for each.

Dripping tap or leaking pipe

Plumber

Cold water and waste work — no gas involved.

Blocked or running toilet

Plumber

Cistern, flush valve and drainage — standard plumbing.

New bathroom suite install

Plumber

Pipework, waste and fittings. Bathroom fitters often coordinate the tiling and electrics.

Boiler will not fire up

Heating engineer (Gas Safe)

Any work on the boiler itself is gas work — legally Gas Safe registered.

Radiator cold at the top

Either

Bleeding and balancing is plumbing; if a power flush or new pump is needed, a heating engineer.

New boiler installation

Heating engineer (Gas Safe)

Notifiable building work — must be Gas Safe registered and certified.

No hot water from cylinder

Depends on the cause

Immersion fault — electrician or plumber. Cylinder leak — plumber. Boiler-fed cylinder issue — heating engineer.

Boiler pressure dropping

Heating engineer

Pressure loss usually points to the heating circuit, expansion vessel or boiler itself.

Cold draught from a flue

Heating engineer (Gas Safe)

Anything connected to the flue is gas work by definition.

Burst pipe in winter

Plumber (emergency)

Stopping the leak is a plumbing job. If the burst has tripped the boiler, a heating engineer follows up.

Where the Two Overlap

The reason this is confusing is that the legal and the practical lines do not match up.

Most local plumbers are both

A high proportion of local plumbers in Exmouth and East Devon hold both general plumbing qualifications and a Gas Safe registration. They are listed as "plumber and heating engineer" because they cover the full job. If you book one of these, they will tell you straight away whether the job is in scope.

The legal line is gas, not the job title

Anyone is allowed to call themselves a "heating engineer". The legal restriction is that gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. So a heating engineer who is not Gas Safe can balance radiators and bleed systems — they cannot touch a boiler.

Unvented cylinders need a G3 ticket

Hot water cylinders that run at mains pressure (unvented) are regulated under Part G of the Building Regulations. The engineer must hold a current G3 qualification — separate from Gas Safe. Ask for both before booking.

Bathroom fitters are not plumbers

A bathroom fitter coordinates a full installation but may subcontract the actual pipework. If you want one trade taking responsibility for the plumbing side, book a plumber and have them work alongside the fitter.

What to Ask Before You Book

Six questions that save you from booking the wrong trade or getting an uncertified install.

Are you Gas Safe registered? Can you show me your card and licence number?
Do you hold a G3 qualification for unvented hot water systems? (Ask only if relevant.)
Is the work notifiable? Will you issue a Building Regulations compliance certificate?
Will you provide a written quote including parts, labour and any callout?
What is your guarantee on the workmanship?
Are you VAT registered, and is VAT included in the quote?

For more on registration, see our Gas Safe plumber guide .

Plumber vs Heating Engineer FAQs

Find the Right Trade for the Job

Browse our directory of local plumbers and heating engineers covering Exmouth and East Devon. Each listing shows their qualifications — Gas Safe number, G3 ticket and services covered — so you can book the right person first time.

Find a Plumber

Boiler not firing up? See boiler repair. Wondering if it is time to replace? Read boiler repair vs replacement. For radiator faults see radiator not heating. Want to understand what Gas Safe actually means? Read our Gas Safe certificate guide. For wider pricing context see plumber costs.