Move and relocate a boiler
How much does it cost to move a boiler?
Moving your boiler can be a great way to free up space in your home or make way for building works like an extension. There are lots of reasons why you might be looking to relocate your boiler – but how much will it cost? We’ll go through the costs to move a boiler in this guide.
How much does it cost to relocate a boiler?
It can cost anywhere between £400-£1,000 to relocate a boiler, depending on the location you want to move it to and the amount of new pipework required. Here are the average costs of materials related to moving your boiler:
|
Item |
Average cost |
|
Pipework |
£300-£600 |
|
Extension flue pipe/flue bend |
£40-£60 per metre |
|
New controls |
£150-£400 |
|
Magnetic boiler filter |
£65-£150 |
|
Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) |
£200 for 10 radiators |
|
Total cost to relocate a boiler |
£400-£1,000 |
|
Replacing a combi boiler with a new mid-range model in a new location |
£3000 including installation |
While you’re getting your boiler moved, you might want to consider upgrading parts of your central heating system:
TRVs: If you haven’t got thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) installed on your radiators, you could get them fitted to give you more control over how much heat your radiators emit.
Magnetic boiler filter: A magnetic filter for your boiler will help increase its lifespan by removing all the metal particles that circulate around your central heating system and cause sludge build up.
What affects the cost of moving a boiler?
Pipework
The biggest cost to moving your boiler is the amount of new pipework required. You may need an extension flue pipe and a new hole for the flue to reach outside, which costs around £40-£60 per metre. If you need to reroute gas pipes or add a new gas connection to the room, that will cost between £45-£85 per metre.
Where you want to move your boiler to
The further away from its current location, the more it will cost to move your boiler. This is because it will take longer for the engineers to move it and get it put in its new place, and more pipework may be required.
The type of boiler you have
It will also cost more to move a conventional boiler system than a combi boiler. Conventional boilers have a hot water cylinder that will also need to be moved, whereas combi boilers are one sealed unit so are much simpler to relocate. Expect it to cost around £500 to move a combi boiler, but closer to £800 to move a conventional boiler.
Whether you need a powerflush
If you haven’t got a magnetic filter fitted to your boiler, an engineer might suggest you have a powerflush when you move it. Metal particles build up in your central heating system and form ‘sludge’, which can make your boiler less efficient and cause cold spots on your radiators.
A powerflush to 7 radiators costs around £400. You could then consider getting a magnetic boiler filter fitted to reduce the likelihood of you needing another powerflush in the future. These filters cost anywhere between £95-£200.
Where you live
Where you live can have an impact on the cost to move your boiler. Generally, engineers in the south east and London charge more per hour than those in other areas like the midlands, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
It’s best to get a range of quotes to relocate your boiler so you can be sure you're getting the best price. Take a look at our tables further down the page to get a more accurate idea of how much labour will cost in your area.
Is it worth moving a boiler?
It's certainly worth moving a boiler if it's in the way or needs to be moved to prepare for building work. If you're considering relocating your boiler simply because you want to hide it or free up space in your home, you might want to weigh up the costs.
Think about how old your boiler is. How much longer can you reasonably expect it to last? If it’s only going to last another couple of years, it might be worth holding off until you need to replace your boiler or simply replacing it now and having it installed in your desired location. Otherwise, it may cost you more to move an old boiler then have it replaced just a short while later.
Is it better to have a boiler upstairs or downstairs?
The choice is yours whether it’s better to have a boiler upstairs or downstairs in most cases. If you have a combi boiler, your unit can be fitted almost anywhere – but it’s best to have it near to where you will use hot water, like a kitchen or bathroom.
If you have a conventional boiler, it may be better to have it upstairs. This is because conventional boilers are gravity-assisted systems, so the higher they are in the house the better for your water pressure. Conventional systems also have a tank in the loft, so moving your boiler downstairs will mean more pipework is required, driving up the cost.
Is it difficult to relocate a boiler?
It's not easy! How difficult it is to relocate your boiler will depend on how far you're moving it and how much new pipework is needed.
It will take between 1 and 2 days to relocate your boiler, which is why labour costs are high. Since boilers are heavy, it will require two people to move, which also increases the cost.
Do I need permission to move my boiler?
In general, you shouldn't need planning permission to move your boiler, as long as all the work is internal. However, if you live in a listed building the rules could be different, so you should get in touch with your local building control to check.
If you need a new flue, it must not exceed the highest part of your roof by 1 metre or more. Otherwise, you will need to apply for planning permission.
If you’re ready to get quotes to move your boiler, post your job on HaMuch. We’ll put you in touch with reliable Gas Safe engineers in your area that are available to do the work.