Don't move a boiler unless you're rich or desperate. It's a nightmare.
- How much does it cost to move a boiler?
- What affects the cost of moving a boiler?
- Your face after seeing the additional costs of relocating a boiler.
- Cost of moving a boiler?
- How long does it take to move a boiler?
- Moving an existing boiler
- How long will moving your boiler take?
- How to get a new boiler 👻
Thinking about moving your boiler somewhere less awkward?
Maybe it is taking up valuable kitchen space. Maybe you are renovating, extending or replacing it and want the new boiler installed somewhere more discreet.
The good news is that boilers can usually be moved. The less good news is that moving one can add a fair chunk to the installation cost.
As a rough guide, moving a boiler typically costs between £500 and £1,500, on top of the standard boiler replacement price.
A short move within the same room may cost less. Moving it upstairs, into a loft or to the other side of the property can cost considerably more.
Want a quote tailored to your specific situation? Find out what replacement you need along with costs (takes 60 seconds).
How much does it cost to move a boiler?
The average cost depends on where the boiler is now, where it is going and how much pipework, flue work and labour are needed.
Type of boiler move | Typical additional cost |
Short move within the same room | £300–£600 |
Move to an adjoining room | £500–£900 |
Move elsewhere on the same floor | £700–£1,200 |
Move upstairs or downstairs | £900–£1,500+ |
Move into a loft or garage | £1,000–£2,000+ |
These are guide prices rather than fixed quotes.
Moving a boiler a few feet along the same wall can be relatively simple. Moving it from a kitchen to a loft may require new gas, water and heating pipes, a new flue route and extra work to make the loft safe and accessible.
That is when costs start climbing.
What affects the cost of moving a boiler?
The distance matters, but it is not the only factor.
The price is mostly determined by how much of the existing heating system needs to be altered.
Additional pipework
Your boiler connects to several different pipes, including the gas supply, central heating, hot water and condensate drainage.
When the boiler moves, those connections usually need to move too.
Longer pipe runs mean more materials and more labour. Engineers may also need to lift floorboards, drill through walls or route pipes through cupboards and ceilings.
Copper is not cheap, and neither is the time required to install it properly.
A new flue
The boiler flue carries combustion gases safely outside.
If the boiler is moved to another external wall, the engineer may be able to install a straightforward horizontal flue.
Moving it into a loft or deeper inside the property can be more complicated. A vertical flue through the roof or an extended flue system will cost more in parts and labour.
Not every proposed boiler position will allow a compliant flue route, so this needs to be checked before installation.
The gas supply
Moving a gas boiler farther from the meter may require changes to the gas pipe.
The existing pipe may be too narrow for the longer distance, meaning a larger pipe must be installed to maintain the correct gas pressure.
This is one of the less visible costs, but it can make a big difference to the final quote.
Condensate drainage
Modern boilers produce condensate water, which must drain away safely.
The closer the new boiler is to a suitable internal waste pipe, the easier the job tends to be.
Long external condensate pipes are best avoided where possible because they can freeze during cold weather.
Access
Moving a boiler into an easy-to-reach utility room is usually simpler than carrying it into a cramped loft or awkward cupboard.
Restricted access can mean extra labour, additional installers and more time on site.
The boiler must also remain accessible for future servicing and repairs. Hiding it behind fitted furniture is only a clever idea until somebody needs to remove the casing.
Making good
Moving a boiler can leave old pipe holes, damaged plaster or gaps where the previous boiler and flue were installed.
Some installers include basic making good. Others do not.
Decorating, tiling, joinery and roof repairs may need to be completed separately, so check exactly what is included in the quote.
Your face after seeing the additional costs of relocating a boiler.
For instance, the cost of moving your boiler, if you are relocating your boiler from a wall within your home to the loft, may be higher since you will need a vertical flue going up through the roof as opposed to a horizontal flue going out through a wall.
This requires the engineer to source new parts e.g. the flue and install it, which involves drilling and creating holes up through the roof, requiring additional time, labour costs, and materials.
Is moving a boiler worth it?
Moving a boiler can be worthwhile if it:
Frees up useful kitchen space
Supports a renovation or extension
Improves the layout of the home
Makes future servicing easier
Allows an old boiler to be replaced in a better position
The important thing is to avoid looking at the relocation charge in isolation.
A £500 move may be good value if it improves the room layout significantly. A £2,000 move may be harder to justify unless it solves a major practical problem.
Learn all about combi boilers in our what is a combi boiler guide.
Cost of moving a boiler?
Typically, you can expect to pay between £400 and £1000 for the average central heating boiler move (on top of your standard quote). Although, you should be prepared to pay more if the engineer will be required to do substantial pipework and/or flue work.
Materials | Cost Guide |
Boiler flue | £100-£150 |
Flue pipes | £45 per meter |
Magnetic filter | £120-£140 |
Controls | £80-£700 |
Pipework | £300-£700 |
How long does it take to move a boiler?
Again, the answer depends on the amount of work they will be required to do i.e. moving a boiler a few feet will take a lot less time than moving one from downstairs up to the attic space.
However, on average, relocating a standard boiler will take around 2 days to complete from start to finish.
Looking to pay for your new boiler monthly? Refer to our boiler on finance guide for more info.
Moving an existing boiler
It may be possible to have your current boiler relocated to a new location, but it is important to consider whether this is practical or makes financial sense.
For example, if your boiler is relatively new and has 8 years of a 10-year warranty remaining, then it may make sense to simply pay for the relocation fees alone.
When does it make sense to install a new boiler instead?
If your boiler is quite old and has very little warranty period remaining, it may be a better option to have a brand-new boiler installed in the new location.
If not, you will have to pay for both the relocation and then a new installation in a relatively short period of time.
Availability of parts may be limited
Another factor to consider is the availability of parts. If the parts of your boiler are difficult to source or expensive, it may not be possible or may make more sense to have a boiler replacement.
A common scenario is a boiler that is no longer in production, the flue parts can be difficult to source making a relocation next to impossible.
Modern boilers are energy-efficient
It is also wise to factor in the financial advantage of installing a brand-new boiler. Modern, energy-efficient boilers can save you money by using less fuel and having a long and fresh 10-year warranty period.
For example, according to the Energy Saving Trust, if you replaced an old G-rated gas boiler with a modern A-rated gas boiler, you could save as much as £315 a year on your fuel bill.
If your boiler is over 15 years old, it is likely a G-rated boiler, meaning it runs at 70% efficiency. Compare this to a modern A-rated model that runs to at least 92% efficiency and it is clear to see where your savings are coming from.
New boiler = a new warranty
Besides, a new boiler means a new warranty and since the best boiler brands now offer 10-year warranties, you will be covered for any manufacturing issues, offering additional peace of mind.
If you do have an old boiler, soon coming to the end of its warranty, then a potential repair can end up costing you well into the hundreds of pounds. And remember, an old boiler is more likely to break down and need repairs, so it is easy to see why a new boiler can make good financial sense.
Check our new boiler costs guide and use our boiler size calculator if you want to get a better understanding of how our fixed-price boiler quote tool works.
Where can you move your boiler to?
By now you have probably scouted an ideal location to house your boiler, thankfully, in most situations, you can relocate your boiler to many locations, commonly including the following:
Airing cupboard
Attic
Bedroom
Garage
Kitchen
Utility room
Unfortunately, in some cases, where you can relocate your boiler will be limited. If you have a combi boiler, this does not tend to be an issue, but certainly is with a cylinder that utilises an immersion heater, a regular boiler or a system boiler.
Why?
Regular and system boilers are larger, have more external components and have both a boiler and storage cylinder.
System boilers require a large water storage cylinder, which is typically housed in an airing cupboard.
Regular boilers have both a boiler unit and a storage cylinder as well as a feed and expansion tank, which must be kept in the attic as it needs to be above the boiler to function.
PS You may need a carbon monoxide detector if you have a gas appliance in your home including a gas or LPG boiler.
Does the type of boiler impact the price of moving a boiler?
The cost of moving a boiler is not typically determined by the type of boiler you have.
Engineers typically have a set fee to move boilers of a standard weight, however, if you have a heavier-than-average boiler and/or want to move the cylinder too, this can drive the cost of moving it upwards.
How come? An engineer typically works alone, but if the boiler is heavy, they may require additional help to move the boiler.
If like most UK households you have a combi boiler, then this is not likely to happen. Heavier types of boilers include the likes of oil boilers.
Is your boiler leaking or losing pressure? Use our quick and easy tool to get your fixed price boiler replacement.
Although less common, if you want to move a boiler from one property to another, you may need the help of a local moving company.
How long will moving your boiler take?
Again, the boring but correct answer is that it depends on your situation. Moving a standard combi boiler a few feet away will not take long compared to moving a heavier system boiler from the garage up to the attic.
Typically, an engineer will take two days to move a boiler from one location to another. In short, this involves tasks such as moving and lifting the boiler, boiler installation, fitting additional pipework and flue installation.
Curious to know which boiler brand performed worst? Find out in our report of the worst boilers.
Learn all about the process of installation in our combi boiler installation guide.
Recommended heating guides:
How to get a new boiler 👻
You may need a new boiler.
You may need it fast, and with affordable monthly payments.
You may even need it from a company with top end local engineers, with 10,000 Trust Pilot reviews to back them up. Plus a Which? Trusted Trader award for good measure.
You may need a new boiler quote from us, Heatable 😘
