Radiator Replacement Cost

Looking to replace your radiators?

This guide covers everything you need to know about radiator removal and radiator replacement costs. This includes the estimated prices you should expect for different sizes and types of radiators, additional costs you might need to budget for, and a step-by-step guide on how to replace a radiator.

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How Much To Replace a Radiator?

Radiators are essential to heat your home, but over time, they can stop working and need to be replaced.

So, what's the cost of replacing a radiator?

The average cost to replace a radiator in 2026 is around £200 per radiator. This estimate is based on a standard radiator size and includes average fitting costs.

As most radiator replacement jobs take between 1 and 2 hours for a heating engineer, the labour cost to fit a radiator will typically be between £70 and £150. This means that the cost of a new radiator will depend heavily on the size and type of radiator you're looking to replace.

Average radiator replacement costs range from:

• Around £150 for a small radiator replacement.
• Around £200 for a medium radiator replacement.
• Around £250 for a large radiator replacement.

The radiator replacement cost also varies depending on the project scope, as replacing multiple radiators will add to your overall cost.

The cost to replace a radiator depends largely on its size. Below is a breakdown of average costs for small, medium and large radiators.

Cost to Replace Small Radiator

First, we'll look at the price to remove, replace, or install an additional small radiator.

Small radiators are approximately 40cm (height) by 60cm (width).

Cost to Replace Medium Radiator

This section covers the cost to replace medium radiators, as well as what you should expect to pay for removing a medium radiator or installing an additional one.

Medium radiators are approximately 60cm (height) by 100cm (width).

Cost to Replace Large Radiator

Next, we'll consider large radiator replacement costs, and the average price to remove or add an additional large radiator to your home.

Large radiators are approximately 80cm (height) by 180cm (width).

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Cost to Replace All the Radiators in a House

Replacing every radiator in your home at once is a bigger job than a single swap, and the total comes down mostly to how many radiators you have. For a 3-bedroom house with 6 to 8 radiators, the cost to replace them all is typically between £900 and £2,000.

The table below breaks this down by house size. Each total is based on the per-radiator replacement costs from the tables above.

Where you land within each range depends on the size of the radiators in your home. A house with mostly small and medium radiators sits toward the lower end, while one with several large radiators costs more to supply and fit.

Older properties can push the total higher still. Radiators that are difficult to access, dated pipework that needs adjusting, or a system carrying years of sludge can all add time, and a heavily sludged system may need a power flush before the new radiators go on.

A full-house replacement usually takes 1 to 3 days, depending on the number of radiators and how easy they are to access.

Replacing all your radiators in one visit generally works out cheaper per radiator than doing them one at a time, as the labour and drain-down are shared across the whole job rather than repeated. For more ways to keep the cost down, see the How to Save Money on Radiator Replacement section below.

A full-house replacement is also a good time to fit thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs). Because the system is already drained down for the swap, adding them alongside the new radiators saves paying for a separate job later. TRVs add to the upfront cost, but they let you set the temperature in each room individually, which can reduce your heating bills over time.

These totals assume a like-for-like swap on your existing pipework. Changing radiator types, sizes or positions adds pipework and labour, which will push the cost higher.

What's Included in a Radiator Replacement Quote?

Most radiator replacement quotes include:

• Removal of the old radiator.
• Installation of the new radiator.
• Labour and basic fittings.

Quotes typically exclude:

• The cost of the new radiator itself, unless specified.
• Major pipework changes.
• System flushing or balancing.
• Wall repairs or redecoration.

Always confirm what's included before work begins, and ask for an itemised quote so you know exactly what you're paying for.

What is your main reason for replacing a radiator?

Faulty or poor performance

1 votes - 6%6% of votes

Upgrading/replacing system

10 votes - 63%63% of votes

Increase energy efficiency/reduce costs

3 votes - 19%19% of votes

Changing the layout of a room

2 votes - 13%13% of votes

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Labour Cost to Fit a Radiator

Most plumbers and heating engineers charge between £45 and £75 per hour for radiator work, though this varies by region. London and the South East tend to sit at the higher end, while the North of England and Midlands are typically cheaper.

Like-For-Like Radiator Replacement Cost

A simple like-for-like swap, using your existing pipework and valves, is the cheapest type of radiator job. This usually costs under £300, including the radiator itself.

In London and the surrounding areas, expect to pay around £200 to £300. Further north, this typically drops to around £150 to £200.

New Radiator Installation Cost

Installing an additional radiator costs more than a straight swap, as it usually involves extending the pipework and may require checks on your boiler's capacity.

The cost of fitting an additional radiator depends on who you hire:

• A small business or sole trader typically charges between £150 and £250.
• A larger national company may charge between £200 and £350.

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Additional Radiator Replacement Costs

Depending on your job, a few extra costs could be added to your final bill. Here's what to look out for:

• Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) — TRVs let you control the temperature in individual rooms, reducing wasted energy. Fitted TRVs cost between £70 and £140 per radiator.
• Smart Thermostat — Installing a smart thermostat costs around £265 and gives you greater control over your heating schedule, which can help to lower energy bills.
• System Power Flush — If your system has a build-up of sludge or debris, a power flush may be recommended before or alongside the replacement. This costs around £400.
• Heating System Balancing — After replacing one or more radiators, your system may need balancing to ensure even heat distribution across all rooms. This typically costs between £100 and £200.
• Old Radiator Disposal — Not all tradespeople include disposal of your old radiator in their quote. If charged separately, expect to pay between £20 and £50.
• Pipework Upgrades — If your existing pipes are old, corroded, or need rerouting to accommodate the new radiator, additional pipework can cost between £800 and £1,000.
• New Boiler — If you're adding radiators and your boiler is over 15 years old or lacks the capacity to handle the extra demand, you may need to factor in the cost of a new boiler, which is around £2,400.

How to Save Money on Radiator Replacement

A few simple choices can help keep your radiator replacement costs down:

• Book the job during warmer months, when demand for heating engineers is lower and rates may be more competitive.
• Stick to a like-for-like swap on your existing pipework where you can, as moving a radiator to a new position adds pipework and labour to the job.
• Buy the radiator yourself from a retailer and hire a tradesperson for labour only, if you're comfortable choosing the right size and type.
• Fit TRVs at the same time as your new radiator, as this can reduce long-term heating costs.
• Compare quotes from several local tradespeople before committing to a job.

How Long Does Replacing a Radiator Take?

Typically, it takes 1 to 2 hours to replace a standard single radiator, and up to 3 hours for an awkward one.

If you're replacing all your radiators, you should expect it to take between 1 and 3 days.

However, there are a few things that can cause this job to take longer:

• Access Problems — If the radiator you're looking to replace is difficult for someone to reach and work on (e.g., it's in a tight space or behind something).
• Pipework Changes — If you're replacing the existing radiator with a different type of radiator, then it may require changes to the current configuration.
• Heating System Issues — Older heating systems, or boilers that aren't regularly serviced, may have problems that need attention before anything else can be done.
• Changing the Type of Radiator — Like-for-like radiator swaps are far quicker than installing a different style of radiator in the same location.

How Much Is a Radiator? (Supply Only)

Thinking about installing a new radiator yourself?

Let's take a closer look at the supply costs of new radiators depending on their style.

The table below shows the typical price of each radiator type covered in this section. Bear in mind, these are the prices for the radiator itself, and fitting will cost extra.

Panel Radiator Cost

Panel radiators use corrugated metal panels to radiate heat throughout a room, and are the standard radiator found in most UK homes.

Single-panel versions suit small rooms, while double-panel radiators work better in larger spaces, as they produce more heat.

The benefits of panel radiators include:

• High heat output, even in large rooms.
• Strong heat efficiency, which can help to lower heating bills.

For the cost of panel radiators, see the table below:

Column Radiator Cost

Looking to add or retain a little bit of period charm in your home?

If so, a column radiator might be the perfect option for you. Here's why:

• Traditional aesthetic, with designs originating from the Victorian era.
• Modern models offer great heat efficiency.

The cost of a column radiator will vary depending on its size:

Designer Radiator Cost

Radiators can sometimes ruin the aesthetic of your home. So, why not try a stylish and contemporary designer radiator?

A designer radiator can bring a wide range of benefits to your home, including:

• Space-saving options
• Stylish designs that can double up as mirrors, memo boards, and more

Here are the costs of different-sized designer radiators:

Vertical Radiator Cost

Do you have limited wall space? If so, you should think about installing vertical radiators.

The advantages of vertical radiators include:

• Able to fit perfectly into small wall spaces, allowing you to heat more of your home.
• Available in a wide range of styles and colours.

The price of vertical radiators depends on their size:

Towel Radiator Cost

With a towel radiator, you can dry your towels whilst also adding some extra warmth to your bathroom.

The main benefits of towel radiators include:

• Easy access to towels in the bathroom, keeping them warm and dry.
• Space-saving design, ideal for bathrooms with limited space.

So, how much does a towel radiator cost? Take a look at the table below:

Cast Iron Radiator Cost

Cast iron radiators are well-suited to older, period homes.

The advantages of cast iron radiators include:

• Cast iron radiators take longer to warm up, but keep warmer for longer after you turn your heating off compared to contemporary models.
• They can be great options for large rooms with high ceilings.

Cast iron radiators are available in various sizes, including:

Flat-Panel Radiator Cost

Are you looking for an easy, relatively fast way of changing your radiators? Then, a flat-panel radiator could be the perfect option for you.

Here's why:

• Flat-panel radiators are designed to be light and compact.
• They can fit into almost any room without taking up a big amount of space.

Flat-panel radiators cost from:

Stainless Steel Radiator Cost

Stainless steel doesn't corrode or rust as some other metals do, meaning a stainless steel radiator will be guaranteed to last a long time.

The advantages of stainless steel radiators include:

• High efficiency, heating up quickly and retaining heat well.
• Low-maintenance, being naturally resistant to rust and corrosion.

Depending on the size, stainless steel radiators cost approximately:

Mirror Radiator Cost

To create the illusion of more space, you can consider installing a mirrored radiator in your home.

What are the advantages of a mirrored radiator?

• Mirrored radiators give the perception of a bigger space.
• They can bounce natural light around the room.

Mirror radiators cost around £200 to £650.

Space-Saving Radiator Cost

A space-saving radiator is a perfect option if you want to make the most of the space in your room.

Space-saving radiators are great because:

• They can fit into narrow spaces.
• They can wrap around corners, making the most of your available space.

Here are the costs of different-sized space-saving radiators:

Storage Heater Cost

Storage heaters work differently to wet central heating radiators. Rather than connecting to your boiler and pipework, they're electric units that store heat overnight using cheaper off-peak rates, then release it gradually throughout the day.

This makes storage heaters worth considering if:

• Your home isn't connected to mains gas.
• You're on an Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariff, which offers cheaper electricity overnight.
• You want to avoid extending wet pipework into a new room.

Storage heaters are wired into a fixed circuit, so they are fitted by an electrician rather than a plumber or heating engineer, which makes the installation cost different from a typical radiator job.

Fitting a storage heater on a new circuit is notifiable building work in England and Wales. The installer either signs it off themselves under a competent person scheme or the job goes through your local building control, which may incur an extra cost.

Running costs are worth factoring in too. Storage heaters are generally more expensive to run than gas central heating, as electricity costs more per unit than gas, even at off-peak rates.

Reasons to Remove and Replace a Radiator

• Age and Poor Efficiency — Radiators can start to decline after 10 to 15 years. If your radiators are getting close to this age range, it's worth looking at them and evaluating their performance.
• Rust and Corrosion — Rust can often occur on the outside of radiators due to their heating and cooling nature. Corrosion can occur within your radiator due to sludge, which can build up over time. Both of these issues can eventually lead to leaks in your radiators.
• Blockages — Blockages can be caused by a clog of sludge or rust. This can prevent the radiator from heating up and working as usual.
• Switching to Electric — Some homeowners replacing older radiators use the opportunity to switch to electric radiators, which require no pipework.

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What's Involved in Replacing and Removing a Radiator

Removing and replacing a radiator involves working with your central heating and pipework, and mistakes can lead to leaks or damage to your heating system.

Because of this, the majority of homeowners choose to hire a professional.

With MyJobQuote, you can compare several quotes from radiator engineers near you. It's fast, free, and there is no obligation to go ahead.

Before the Job Starts

• Shutting Off the Valves — The first step when removing and replacing a radiator is to shut off the valves at either end. If adjusting a lockshield valve, the engineer will count the number of times they turn the spanner, so they can set your new radiator to the same flow rate.

During the Job

• Draining the Radiator — The engineer will place a washing-up bowl underneath the valve, loosen the cap nut, open the bleed valve, and catch the water as it begins to drain.
• Removing the Old Radiator — With extra help if needed, the engineer will lift your radiator away from the wall mounting brackets, and then tip it to drain any remaining water out.
• Fitting Valve Connectors — Using wire wool, the engineer will clean the connectors and then wind thread seal tape between 5 and 10 times around the threads to ensure a watertight seal is created. They will screw these connectors into your new radiator, and tighten them completely.
• Hanging the New Radiator — The engineer will mount your new radiator, connect the valves, and reset the lockshield. Once complete, they will allow water to enter the radiator and open the bleed valve slightly to allow any air to escape. When the water begins to spurt out, they will close the bleed valve.

After the Job

• Checking for Leaks — The engineer will check each of the valves for leaks, and then tighten and dry them if needed. They will turn your central heating on and advise you to keep checking back every now and again for any drips.

Radiator Maintenance and Repair

You need a qualified professional to install your central heating system, but maintaining your radiators isn't too difficult.

Cold Spots on Your Radiators

If you feel cold spots on your radiators, or notice they're taking a long time to warm up, the first thing you should try to do is bleed your radiators.

This will usually fix any cold spots and help your radiators work more efficiently.

Similarly, rushing sounds in pipes are usually caused by air or bubbles within the system, which can be rectified by bleeding your radiators.

However, if bleeding the radiators doesn't fix this issue, it's best to call out an engineer to check for a deeper issue.

Humming or Creaking Sounds in Pipes

Creaking pipes can be caused by hot pipes expanding, or by pipes rubbing up against walls, floors, or other pipes.

To fix the issue, try widening the pipe notches in the joists. If you have loose pipes, clip them or pack insulation between the pipes.

Humming sounds can occur in pipes when the pump speed is too high or when your pipes are too narrow for the system flow.

Hissing or Banging Sounds

Hissing or banging sounds can be caused by a faulty boiler, thermostat issues, or a build-up of limescale in the system.

In this case, it's best to call a heating engineer to check your system. They will be able to determine the issue and fix it effectively.

If your central heating system is making noises, it is best to treat the issue earlier rather than later, as leaving it could lead to further issues.

Is It Cheaper to Repair or Replace a Radiator?

Whether it's cheaper to repair or replace comes down to what's wrong, how old the radiator is, and how much of the system is affected. For a single fault, repairing a radiator is usually cheaper than replacing it.

Bleeding a radiator to clear cold spots is a simple job you can do yourself, while fitting a new thermostatic radiator valve is a bigger step, costing between £70 and £140. And if the wider system is full of sludge, a power flush may be needed, which is a bigger job again. By comparison, replacing the radiator itself costs between £150 and £250 depending on its size.

However, if a radiator is more than 15 to 20 years old, it's better to replace rather than repair it. Older radiators lose efficiency as internal corrosion and sludge build up, so a repair tends to be a short-term fix rather than a lasting one. The cost of repeated call-outs can also add up to more than a single replacement would have cost in the first place.

To determine which choice is better for you, you first need to look at how many radiators are affected. If it's just one, weigh its age and the cost of the repair against the price of a new one. If several radiators are cold or sludgy at the same time, the problem is usually the system rather than the radiators themselves, and treating the whole system will do more than replacing a single unit.

If you're unsure, it's worth getting a professional opinion, as a heating engineer can assess the radiator and the wider system and advise whether a repair will last or replacement is the better option.

Checklist: Hiring a Heating Engineer to Replace Your Radiator

Here are some key things to consider when hiring a specialist for removing or replacing your radiators:

• Are they members of any recognised trade bodies? Membership of organisations such as CIPHE or APHC can be a strong indicator of professionalism and adherence to standards.
• If the job involves any gas work, are they Gas Safe registered? Gas work must legally be done by a Gas Safe engineer, so always check their registration.
• Do they have experience? Ensure the person you hire has plenty of experience in removing and replacing radiators.
• Are they insured? Look for public liability insurance, which will protect you if anything goes wrong during the job.
• Do they offer any guarantees? If they offer a workmanship guarantee, check what is covered and for how long.
• Have you been given an itemised quote? Ask for a full breakdown of the radiator replacement cost, so that you're aware of what is included and if there are any additional fees, including any disposal costs.
• Do they have positive reviews? Check their MyJobQuote profile to see what other customers have said about their service.

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