Are you thinking about relocating your boiler? Before making a decision, it’s worth finding out how much it will cost.
If your boiler is hard to access or takes up too much room where it is, then you may be trying to decide whether it’s a good idea to move it to a new location within your home. You’re probably also wondering how much it costs to move your boiler and if it will require you to spend lots of your hard-earned cash to relocate it.
Keep reading to find out how much moving your boiler costs and what you need to consider before doing so.
What is the cost of moving a boiler?
Getting a qualified boiler engineer to relocate your boiler will likely cost you between £350 and £800, depending on how far you move your boiler and whether your engineer needs to fit a new flue, pipework or materials. Other things can also affect the price of moving your boiler, like the type of boiler you have and the fuel it uses.
The average costs of materials needed to move your boiler are as follows:
| Materials | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Flue | £90 – £130 |
| Flue pipes | £40 per metre |
| Pipework | £300 – £650 |
| Controls | £75 – £700 |
How long will it take an engineer to relocate your boiler?
The more complicated the job, the longer it will take and the more it will cost you to relocate your boiler. For example, moving your boiler to a new location in the same room will be quicker and cost less than relocating it to a different room or floor.
Popular places for boiler relocations include:
- Airing cupboard
- Utility room
- Loft
- Garage
- Kitchen
- Bedroom
- Bathroom
A straightforward boiler move takes around two days on average, and where you can relocate your boiler depends on whether you have a combi, system or conventional (heat-only) boiler.
Unlike combi boilers, system and heat-only boilers have external components. System boilers require a separate hot water storage cylinder usually kept in an airing cupboard. Heat-only boilers require a cylinder and a feed and expansion tank housed in the loft.
Will it cost more to move a system or heat only boiler than a combi boiler?
Possibly, but the cost of relocating a boiler is usually not based on the boiler type you have. Most engineers have a set fee but will charge more if your boiler weighs more than the average boiler because it will require more labour and, in some cases, two engineers.
The overall cost will also be higher if you decide to move your hot water storage cylinder as well as your boiler. Oil boilers tend to be heavier than gas and LPG boilers.
Is it possible to move your boiler or should you get a new one?
It might be possible to move your boiler to a new location in your home, but the questions you need to ask yourself are – is the relocation practical and does it make financial sense?
If your boiler is relatively new and still under warranty for the next 7 or 8 years, you may be better off getting a qualified engineer to move it. While it will set you back between £350 and £800 on average to relocate your boiler, it makes sense to pay for a relocation.
When might it be a good option to get a new boiler instead?
If your boiler is old and has no or little warranty remaining, it makes sense to get a new boiler installed in your chosen new location rather than move your existing one. Otherwise, you will have to pay for the relocation and fork out for a new boiler a few years later.
Also, the availability of parts may be a problem if your current boiler is old. It can often be tricky and expensive to source parts for boilers that are ageing or no longer in production, which sometimes makes it almost impossible to move an older boiler.
You also want to consider the benefits of getting a new energy-efficient boiler installed. Modern A-rated boilers can not only help to reduce your carbon footprint but also lower your fuel bill. The Energy Saving Trust says that you could save up to £315 a year when replacing an old G-rated gas boiler with a modern A-rated gas boiler.
Getting a new energy-efficient boiler installed means you will receive a new warranty of up to 10 years, depending on the brand and model you choose. Your manufacturer-backed warranty covers manufacturing issues and gives you peace of mind that your boiler is protected from costly breakdowns and repairs.
Does anything else affect the cost of moving your boiler?
Yes. We already know that the amount of work and materials involved and the weight of your boiler can influence the cost of your boiler relocation, and there are a few other things that can, such as:
New flue installation
Your gas boiler needs a flue to carry waste products from your appliance to outside of your home. The boiler flue is a bit like a chimney but transports harmful by-products like carbon monoxide outside and into the atmosphere instead of smoke and soot.
Nearly all boiler relocations require a new flue installation, but an engineer may only have to move it in some cases.
New pipework
Some boiler relocations require lots of additional pipework, which significantly increases the cost of a boiler move. The further you want to move your boiler from where it is currently installed, the more pipework will be needed.
You also need to understand that extra pipes are not simple to lay and will add to the time it takes to complete your boiler relocation. New pipework also creates a mess because holes in walls are required, and carpets may need to come up.
Changing boiler type
If you decide to get a new boiler installed in your preferred new location rather than move your existing one and choose a different type of boiler, you will pay more to have it installed. For example, if you replace a heat-only boiler with a combi boiler.
You won’t have any other choice than to move your new boiler if you currently own a back boiler, which sits behind a fireplace. Although once popular, back boilers are no longer in production, and the most common choice for replacing one is with a combi boiler.