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. However, this can vary based on the individual scenario and can reach £1,500 when moving a conventional boiler, or likewise if there's extensive pipework required which can impact the overall boiler cost.

The below table shows the average relocation cost by boiler type:

The below table shows how, on average, some jobs cost more than others:

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 where and why 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.
• 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 an alternative location costs between £2,000 to £4,000, depending on the ease of access, combi 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 (for example a combi boiler service can be different to oil boilers).
• New Radiator Cost: To improve the efficiency of your central heating system, rather than buying a new boiler, 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 qualified 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:

• Moving the Same Boiler: Relocating an existing boiler depends on the distance, ease of access, and complexity of the pipework. Simply having it moved a short distance within the same room is generally cheaper, while moving to a different room altogether or fitting it into a tight spaces can increase labour and material costs.
• Size of the Boiler: The larger the boiler, the more difficult it is to move. Bigger boilers often take longer to relocate and can require more than one pair of hands, which increases labour fees.
• Type of Boiler: Different types of boilers can be easier than others. For example, oil boilers are more complex compared to relocating a standard gas boiler, often requiring additional safety measures and specialist knowledge of how to handle them.
• Ease of Access: The accessibility of the current boiler location and where it is needs moving to can make a difference to the overall cost. As if the boiler is hard to reach or the new spot is tricky to install, the job is likely to take longer or potentially require assistance.
• New Location: The distance between the old and new boiler location can impact the cost. Repositioning along the same wall will cost less than if you are moving it into an altogether different space. For example, placing in a utility room or loft area, the job can become more complex and time-consuming with additional material costs to factor in, especially if you're also moving floors.
• Gas Connections: As part of a relocation of a gas boiler you may also need to have the pipework rerouted, especially when moving to a room without an existing gas supply. In which case around expect this to cost around £45 to £85 per metre.
• Relocating a New Boiler: Then there's the full scenario, whereby not only are you relocating where you're boiler is going to live, but you are having a new boiler installed at the same time. The job will also involve removing and disposing of the old unit, installing the new boiler, and potentially upgrading pipework and the flue system.
• 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 having your boiler relocated, 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 boiler flue as required.

During the Job

• Installing the Flue — Your engineer will first of all install a new boiler 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 replacement boiler.

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, and if they appreciate the difference between combi boiler and a conventional boiler. 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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