Cost of Moving a Boiler

How Much Does It Cost to Move a Boiler?

The average cost for relocating a boiler is between £500 and £1,000.

Boilers are complicated systems that should only be installed or moved by a professional, including any work related to connecting water or gas pipes.

However, some parts of the job can be actioned as a DIY project if you're looking to lower costs (e.g., readying the new pipework or modifying the walls and surrounding areas).

But you should only do this if you're confident with the work, as any mistakes can potentially cause issues further down the line and end up actually increasing the total cost of moving a boiler.

So, how much does moving a boiler cost?

The actual price you pay will depend on several factors:

• The type of boiler being moved.
• The difficulty of the job (e.g., the distance from the original location to the new location).
• If you need significant upgrades (e.g., extra pipework, flue extensions, magnetic filter).
• Your location in the UK.

Moving a boiler can often become a more extensive job than simply installing a new boiler. This is because it involves dismantling the boiler's pipework and fittings, then reinstalling it in its new location.

Boiler Relocation Cost

The average cost of boiler relocations ranges between £500 and £1,000.

Let's take a look at what makes up this cost in the table below:

Flue Cost

An extension flue pipe may be needed to reach a safe area outside. A new hole for the flue will be drilled for this, and will cost around £75 to £125 per metre.

Pipework Cost

The new pipework is one of the biggest costs of moving a boiler.

A condensate pipe will be connected to a waste pipe, and the boiler will need to be reconnected to the existing pipework in the home. This will cost around £400 to £600.

Additional Boiler Relocation Costs

Some boiler relocation costs are considered "extras" - your circumstances will dictate whether or not you need to budget for these elements.

Depending on the job's complexity, where you're moving the boiler to, and the reason you're moving your boiler, there may be some additional costs that you need to budget for.

Heating Controls Upgrade Cost

To optimise your boiler's efficiency, you can upgrade your existing heating controls. This can cost between £100 and £650, depending on the type of upgrade.

Magnetic Filter Cost

These filters extract debris from the water in your pipes and can help to reduce rust. They are great for maintaining your pipes in the long term. The cost for these is around £120 to £225.

Gas Connection Cost

Rerouting the pipework is never cheap, and if you're moving the boiler to a room that doesn't have a gas pipe, this will add some extra costs.

The cost for this part of the job is around £45 to £85 per metre.

Replacing Combi Boiler in New Location Cost

Instead of relocating your existing boiler, you're choosing to change your system at the same time as the move, you can expect your costs to be higher.

Replacing a combi boiler with a new one in a new location costs between £2,000 to £4,000, depending on the ease of access, boiler model, and the installation's complexity.

Boiler Service Cost

Boiler servicing should be completed once per year to ensure your boiler is in great working condition.

Once your boiler is in its new position, it's a good idea to get it serviced to ensure all of the parts are working properly, and to ensure it is safe.

A boiler service costs around £100, depending on your type of boiler and your location in the UK.

New Radiator Cost

To improve the efficiency of your central heating system, it may be worth removing and replacing some of your old radiators.

The average cost to replace a radiator is around £200 per radiator.

These prices can change depending on the type of radiator and the difficulty of the job.

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Labour Cost to Move a Boiler

When moving your boiler from one location to another, you will need to hire a heating engineer to carry out the work.

Heating engineers will usually work at an hourly rate, and you can expect this rate to be around £40 to £60 per hour.

In London and the surrounding areas, you can expect this labour cost to rise to between £60 to £80 per hour due to the increased demand.

The rate will depend on the individual plumber, the amount of experience they have, the complexity of the job, and your location in the UK.

In most cases, it will usually take around 1 to 2 days to move a boiler, depending on how far you are moving it and the job's difficulty.

It's a good idea to get this job done during the summer so that you don't have to go too long without your heating or hot water.

Factors That Impact the Cost of Moving a Boiler

Several cost factors can affect the overall cost of moving a boiler. Below is a list of the things that may affect the price of the job:

Size of the Boiler

The size of the boiler can affect the overall cost of your boiler relocation.

This is because larger boilers are often more difficult to move easily.

This can result in the job taking longer and, therefore, you can expect to pay higher labour costs for larger boilers.

Type of Boiler

The type of boiler that you're moving can also affect the overall cost of the job.

Some boilers may be more difficult to move than others, and some may require more work than others to complete the move.

This will also result in higher labour costs, as certain boilers will take longer to move.

Ease of Access

The ease of access in and around your property is also a factor that could affect the cost.

If the boiler is difficult to get to or if the new location for the boiler proves to be quite tricky, then this could also result in the job taking much longer.

This, in turn, will result in higher labour costs due to the extra time that the job will take to complete.

New Location

The new location of your boiler can affect the overall cost of the job.

For example: The cost of moving a boiler from upstairs to downstairs will cost a lot more than moving a boiler from one part of a room to another part.

This is because the move is much further and will require more materials, more pipework, and will also take much longer, so it will cost more in labour.

Location of Property

The location of your property can play a large part in how much you will pay for labour.

Those based in and around London can expect to pay more in labour costs, compared to those based in the north or other parts of the UK.

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What's Involved in Moving a Boiler?

You should not attempt to move your boiler yourself, as this is a job that should be left to a professional heating engineer or plumber.

A boiler relocation job is a very extensive process that requires a lot of specialised knowledge, especially given most boilers in the UK work on gas. If you are moving a gas boiler or making any alterations to gas pipework, under UK law, this will legally need to be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

In order to do so, it is widely recommended to request several quotes before committing to who will carry out the work on your behalf. With the help of MyJobQuote, you can find local heating engineers for a free quote without any obligation to commit any further.

Assuming you wish to proceed with your boiler relocation, below is guide to the general process involved:

Before the Job

• Planning the Move — The move depends on factors such as the feasibility of the new location, your boiler’s condition and whether it is possible to safely install a new flue as required.

During the Job

• Installing the Flue — Your engineer will first of all install a new flue outlet to vent safely outside.
• Pipework and Connections — New pipework will be installed to carry water in and out of the boiler. The boiler will need to be re-piped and reconnected to your radiators.
• Gas Work — Moving or extending the gas pipe fitting must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Depending on the boiler’s condition, you may choose to replace it with a new unit.
• Checking Boiler Suitability — In some cases, your existing boiler may no longer be suitable for the new location, in which case you may not be able to proceed until purchasing a new one.

After the Job

• Redecorating — Once the move is complete, the area where the boiler originally sat is likely to need redecorating.
• Finishing Touches — The new location may also require minor repairs or touch-ups due to some unavoidable damage during installation.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Boiler Relocation

When moving a boiler, you usually won't need to worry about obtaining planning permission. However, it may be needed if you're making external changes.

You will need to adhere to building regulations:

• There are specific rules about where the flue can be situated, and how and where your gas feed pipes are installed.
• Your Gas Safe registered engineer should have the knowledge and skills to comply with these rules. They will also advise you on what can and can't be done as part of the job.
• You should fit a carbon monoxide alarm in the room where the boiler is moved to so that it can detect any problems with the flue and alert you quickly so that any issues can be fixed.

If you are unsure about whether your new boiler location complies with the building regulations rules, then it's a good idea to speak to your local authority for some advice.

Checklist: Finding a Local Tradesman to Move a Boiler

You will need to consider a few key points before hiring a contractor to move your boiler:

• Are they on the Gas Safe register? Only qualified engineers in the UK that are listed on the Gas Safe register are legally allowed to work on gas appliances, including jobs such as relocating a boiler.
• Does your contractor have the right experience? Ask how often they carry out similar jobs and how long they've been doing it. This will help provide you with confidence in their ability.
• Does their work come with a guarantee? For example, can they confirm everything is in line with building regulations, and will they fix any issues should they arise?
• Do they have public liability insurance? This isn't a legal requirement, however, it does protect against personal injury and accidental damage to your property.
• Have you received more than one quote? Ask for a cost breakdown for each element of the job. It's recommended to request at least three separate quotes so you can compare offers, which you can do via MyJobQuote without any obligation to commit.
• Is waste removal included? By having an itemised quote in writing, you can also ensure there aren't any hidden costs (such as waste removal) and know exactly what you're paying for.
• Do they have positive customer feedback? Check their MyJobQuote profile for examples of their work and customer reviews, or ask friends and family for recommendations.

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