Installing a New Boiler Cost

Want to know how much a new boiler costs?

To give you an rough idea, the average price to fit a new boiler is around £2,000.

Are you ready for a quote?

If so, we have a wide range of local heating engineers ready to offer you a free quote!

In this article we breakdown boiler prices for all the different types, including a gas boiler, combi boiler and oil boilers, as well as the cost of fitting them.

This makes it simple and easy for any homeowner to calculate the cost of boiler replacement in their home.

How Much is a New Boiler and Installation?

The cost to fit a new boiler can depend on a few factors. Boilers are usually replaced due to a fault, but they can also sometimes be replaced for better energy efficiency.

If you replace your old boiler with a top-rated high-efficiency boiler with modern heating controls, you have the ability to reduce your home’s energy bills by up to £300 per year. A new boiler cost, on average, is £1,500-£3,500, including installation.

Replacing a boiler is not an easy job and is definitely not a DIY job. With gas boilers, in particular, there are stringent safety regulations in place in terms of their replacement and maintenance.

In the UK, you need a particular type of engineer to complete a boiler replacement who is on the gas safe register. The most common type of boiler in the UK is a combination or “combi” boiler.

New Boiler Prices

Boilers come in a variety of styles and type. Below is a table indicating the costs of a new boiler, including all the different types of boiler available to buy for your home, along with the cost of labour to complete a new boiler installation.

Labour Costs and Time Scales

The average cost for labour when getting a new boiler installed usually falls between £500-£1500. However, these costs are very dependent on whether you are getting the same type of boiler installed as your previous boiler, or if you are having an entirely new type of boiler put in.

The structure of your home and whether you are getting your new boiler in the same place as the old one can also greatly affect the cost of labour.

A good rule of thumb to note is that the more straightforward the job is, the less you are going to end up paying for labour.

To ensure you are getting a good cost for the job at hand, you want to get a range of quotes from trusted companies and experienced local tradespeople.

This way, you can compare the labour costs to ensure you are not paying more than you should be for the work.

Supply Only Costs

Boilers range in price depending on the type of boiler and the manufacturer. Below is a list of the price ranges you should expect to pay for different types of boiler without factoring in the cost of labour:

• Conventional Boiler Cost - £400-£1,500
• Combi Boiler Cost - £500-£2,000
• System Boiler Cost - £1,000-£2,500
• Condensing Boiler Cost - £1,300-£2,500
• Electric Boiler Cost - £1,500-£2,500
• Biomass Boiler Cost - £7,000-£13,000

Each of the different types of boiler can be supplied by a number of different manufacturers. Each manufacturer has varied costs for each type of boiler.

It is worth taking a look at what each manufacturer offers with their prices and choose a boiler that best suits your personal budget.

Additional Costs

Depending on the complexity of the job and the reason you are replacing your boiler, there may be some additional costs that you need to consider.

Below are some of the additional services that you may need to think about when having a new boiler installed, as well as the cost to complete these additional jobs:

• Radiator replacement - £150-£300
• Install additional radiator - £250-£350
• Bleed radiators - £80-£150
• Water tank supply and installation - £150-£200
• New pipework installation - £800-£1,000
• New thermostat - £150-£280

Boiler Installation Cost Factors

There are a number of factors that can affect the cost of having your new boiler installed.

This can include things such as the brand of boiler you choose, the location of your home, and whether you are replacing your old boiler with a new one of the same type or with one of a different type.

The list below highlights some of the factors that you can expect to affect the cost of your new boiler installation.

Type of Boiler

The type of boiler you choose to have installed can greatly affect the overall cost of the job at hand. For example, if you choose to have a conventional boiler installed at your home, you will be looking to pay around £400-£1,500.

Whereas, if you choose to have a biomass boiler installed at your home, you should expect to pay around £7,000-£13,000.

As you can see from these prices, the type of boiler you choose can have a big impact on the overall cost of boiler installation.

Brand of Boiler

The brand of boiler that you choose can make a difference in the price that you pay. There are a number of major boiler brands including Viessmann, Baxi, Vaillant, and many more. Each of these manufacturers offer boilers at different price points.

It would be a good idea to shop around a bit and see what these manufacturers are offering with their prices.

Do they come with a warranty? Does the boiler include any additional features? Be sure to do plenty of research so that you can ensure you find the right boiler for you and your home.

Location of Property

The location of your property can affect the overall cost of having your new boiler installed. If you live in London, you can expect to pay an average of £200-£600 more for your boiler installation than if you live in the North of England.

Type of Contactor or Company Used

There are many major national companies such as British Gas that can fit a new boiler for you. However, you can expect to pay a lot more for the job than if you hired a local contractor.

Hiring a local tradesperson could save you around £100-£500 on labour costs for the job.

Be sure to get a range of quotes with the costs broken down so that you can ensure you are getting a good price what you are getting.

Type of Replacement

The type of replacement can affect the cost greatly. This includes whether you are having the same type of boiler installed as your old one and whether you are having your new boiler installed in the same place as the old one.

Your contractor will be able to give you the best advice on the type of boiler that you should have installed.

They will also be able to advise if your new boiler would be suitable in the same place that your old one was positioned, or whether it would be better suited to a different area of the home.

What's Involved in a New Boiler Installation?

A boiler replacement job is not a DIY project and should be completed by a trusted engineer, no matter what the boiler replacement cost, it’s worth paying a professional.

Once you have decided you need a boiler replacement and you have found the right engineer to complete the job, the following is what you can expect to happen on the day of your installation:

• Removal of the old boiler – The engineer will usually begin by removing your old boiler. The time this takes will vary depending on the existing system and the complexity of the job.
• Flush and clean – According to British Standards, your engineer should clean and flush out your system. The length of type this takes and the type of clean required will depend greatly on the condition of your system. A system flush before the installation of your new boiler will prevent your new boiler from being damaged by any debris in the system.
• Upgrade and change pipework if required – In order to fit your new boiler properly, your engineer may need to make some changes or updates to your pipework. This isn’t always a straightforward job and so could take up a lot of the installer’s time.
• Fitting the boiler – The installer will then fit your new boiler. This will either be in the same location as your old boiler, or in a new location. If your boiler is being moved to a new position, this will take extra time to complete.
• Accessories – Your engineer will be able to recommend any accessories that may need to be installed alongside your boiler. A good engineer will always recommend having a system filter installed to fit in with British Standards best practice. A system filter will protect your boiler from any sludge and debris that may build up in the system. The system filter will keep your boiler as clean as possible. Some other accessories that your engineer may recommend include; filling loops and flue.
• Commissioning of the system – Once your boiler and all accessories and pipework have been completely fitted, your engineer will then commission the system to ensure that every element is working in the way that it should be.
• Complete the handover – Your installer should complete a handover with you when all of the work is complete. This ensures that you are as informed as possible on how to operate the boiler, how to use all of the controls, and how to do some basic maintenance checks during the lifetime of the boiler. This can include topping up the pressure and bleeding radiators.
• Register the boiler – The final step in your boiler registration is to register your boiler with the manufacturer so that your product’s guarantee is valid. This will ensure that you are covered in the event that any problems may occur within the warranty period.

Can I Install My Own Boiler?

It is not possible to install a new boiler as a DIY project. You must hire a competent engineer that is on the Gas Safe Register. Even if your new boiler is not a gas boiler, it is still not recommended that you take on the job yourself.

It is not illegal to install your own boiler. However, you will not be able to rent out or sell your home until your heating system has been checked by a qualified engineer and brought up to standard if needed.

Additionally, the consequences of poor installation can be absolutely terrible. A boiler should be fitted by someone who is competent in observing any potential dangers with the installation.

What Are the Benefits of a New Boiler?

There are several benefits to having a new boiler installed. Below indicates some of the major advantages that a new boiler system will bring to your home.

Boiler Efficiency Improvement

It is estimated that your boiler is responsible for around 60% of your household energy bills. Therefore, if you can make your boiler more efficient by getting a new boiler, you are going to save a lot of money in the long-run. The majority of modern boilers are A-rated.

This means that their efficiency is 90% or above. Replacing an old boiler with a modern energy-efficient model could save you around £200-£300 per year on your energy bills.

Heating Control Improvement

Modern systems allow you to set your radiators to different temperatures in each room. You can even have a thermostat installed so that your system automatically turns off when a room reaches the desired temperature.

This can result in you paying a lot less for your heating bills, especially if there are rooms in the house that you don’t use as much as others.

Quieter Boiler Operation

Due to improved designs and the use of modern materials, a new boiler can be significantly quieter than your old boiler. If your old boiler is relatively noisy when it fires up, you should notice a huge difference in the sound produced by your new boiler. Most modern boiler systems are designed to be very quiet.

Smaller in Size

Modern boilers tend to be much smaller than older models. With this being the case, modern boilers tend to have a lot more options when it comes to sitting them on walls rather than having the rest on the floor. This can result in a lot of saved space in the home.

Do I Need a New Boiler?

You may be wondering whether you actually need a new boiler or not. If you have a rather old boiler and would like to switch to a more energy-efficient one, then you already know that you need a new boiler for that.

If your current boiler is acting up a little bit, you may also need a new boiler. There are a few signs to look out for when it comes to needing a new boiler.

Maybe you are considering a house extension? A new boiler may be beneficial as your current boiler will be too small for the additional house extension.

Is Your Boiler Making Odd Noises?

As boilers age, their parts can start to wear and, although these can be replaced, it is usually much more cost-effective to get a completely new boiler – especially in the long-run.

If your boiler is making popping, knocking, or hissing noises when it is in operation, you should contact an engineer to investigate the problem.

Does Your Boiler Need Regular Repairs?

Your boiler should be serviced once a year by an approved plumber or by a gas safety technician. During your services, the contractor will recommend a boiler replacement as it’s reaching the end of its life.

If your boiler needs regular repairs during maintenance, that is a sign that it needs replacing with a newer model.

Is Your Boiler Old?

If your boiler is over 10 years old, it is recommended that you replace it with a more modern one. Even if it seems to be working fine, the older it gets, the more likely it is to break.

An older boiler is also likely to be less energy efficient than a new modern model. With this in mind, although a new boiler may seem like a big expense, it could save you a lot more money in the long-run by heating your house more efficiently and, therefore, reducing your heating bills.

Replacing your old boiler with a modern energy-efficient model could save you around £200-£300 per year on your energy bills.

Does Your System Have Leaks?

Any leaks in your system should be investigated immediately. Not only can the leaking water cause damage to your home, but a leak in the system could result in a carbon monoxide leak, which can be fatal.

Does the Water Temperature Fluctuate?

If your water takes a long time to heat up or if it runs intermittently hot and cold when running, this could indicate that your boiler isn’t working properly and needs to be replaced.

Types of Boiler

There are several different types of boiler, and each one comes with its own set of pros and cons. Below is a list of the different types of boiler available to buy as well as some information about each one.

Condensing Boiler Cost

Condensing boilers are a greatly efficient option as they use waste heat in flue gases to pre-heat cold water. A condensing boiler isn’t too expensive and is also efficient enough to cut the costs of your heating bills in the long-term.

A condensing boiler falls between £1,300-£2,500. A condensing boiler is fuelled by either gas or oil, and the water is stored in a water cylinder.

Pros

• ✔ Highly efficient
• ✔ Good water pressure

Cons

• ✖ Requires a bulky water tank

Combi Boiler Cost

Combi boilers are one of the most popular options of new boilers in the UK. A combi boiler is efficient and compact and takes water directly from the main lines.

A combi boiler can run on either electricity or gas, and it is usually small enough to fit into a cupboard. A combi boiler usually costs around £500-£2,000.

Pros

• ✔ Efficient
• ✔ Compact
• ✔ Runs on electricity or gas
• ✔ Small enough to fit in a cupboard
• ✔ Connected to water mains

Cons

• ✖ Water pressure can be weak is multiple taps are used

Conventional Boiler Cost

A conventional boiler is perfect for larger homes. They are composed of two water cylinders – one for heating water and the other for storing the water for usage. This type of boiler is fuelled by gas or oil. A conventional boiler is usually priced around £500-£1,500.

Pros

• ✔ Cheap
• ✔ Good water pressure
• ✔ Great for heating larger homes

Cons

• ✖ Requires two water cylinders

Electric Boiler Cost

An electric boiler is a great option for a new boiler as they are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Electric boilers can run at almost 100% efficiency. An electric boiler cost around £1,500-£2,500. It can run off the water mains or via a cylinder.

Pros

• ✔ Very energy efficient
• ✔ Environmentally friendly

Cons

• ✖ Sometimes requires bulky cylinder

Biomass Boiler Cost

A biomass boiler is an extremely environmentally friendly option when it comes to choosing a new boiler.

Biomass boilers work by burning wood to produce the energy required to heat your water. This is usually done with wood chips, pellets, or logs.

A biomass boiler is great for the environment in comparison to other models and is also very energy efficient – you can save up to 30-50% on your energy bills. This means that a biomass boiler is a brilliant long-term investment. A biomass boiler costs around £7,000-£13,000.

Pros

• ✔ Environmentally friendly
• ✔ Energy efficient
• ✔ Great price in the long-run
• ✔ Good water pressure

Cons

• ✖ Expensive upfront cost
• ✖ Requires bulky water tank

System Boiler Cost

A system boiler heats water straight from the water mains similar to a combi boiler. This type of boiler does not require a water tank, and this allows for more than one hot water outlet.

This also allows the system to provide hot water through multiple taps without any reduction to the water pressure. A system boiler costs around £1,000-£2,500.

Pros

• ✔ Doesn’t require a water tank
• ✔ Good water pressure

Cons

• ✖ Runs off gas so isn’t as energy-efficient as some other models

Boiler Fuel Type

There are several different fuel types for running a boiler. Each fuel type has its own set of pros and cons. Below is a list of the different fuel types that can run a boiler along with some information on each different type.

Natural Gas Fuel

Natural gas is the most common type of fuel used for boilers in the UK. It is a convenient fuel type as it can be transported in both liquid and gaseous forms. Gas boiler prices tend to be cheaper.

Pros

• ✔ Can be transported in liquid and gaseous forms
• ✔ Largely available fuel

Cons

• ✖ Not as energy efficient as some other fuel types

Electricity Fuel

Electricity fuelled boilers are much better than many other fuelled boilers because they are noiseless, very light, and have low operation and maintenance costs.

Pros

• ✔ Largely available fuel
• ✔ Produces heat without noise
• ✔ Low operation and maintenance costs

Cons

• ✖ Can take longer to heat water than some other fuel types

Oil Fuel

Oil fuelled boilers work in a similar way to gas boilers but are not connected to the gas mains.

Oil is pumped from a tank into the combustion chamber where it is then vaporised and initiated by the pilot assembly. The oil is stored in a tank close to the property and oil needs to be ordered in advance.

Pros

• ✔ Doesn't require access to gas mains
• ✔ Readily available fuel type

Cons

• ✖ Oil needs to be ordered in advance
• ✖ A tank must be close to home for oil storage

Wood Fuel

A biomass boiler can be heated using wood. This requires a firebox where wood is burned to create the required heat for your boiler.

The heat from the wood is usually stored in a hot water tank for use when needed.

Pros

• ✔ Environmentally friendly
• ✔ Energy efficient
• ✔ Wood is easily available

Cons

• ✖ Requires hot water tank
• ✖ Wood-fuelled boilers are expensive upfront

Emergency Boiler Repair

An emergency boiler repair is usually necessary when you are left without heating or hot water, or if you have got a gas or water leak in the home. You can hire out an engineer to carry out one-off boiler repairs whenever a fault occurs.

The majority of engineers offer an emergency call-out service that is often available on a 24-hour basis.

The cost of this will vary depending on the amount of time it takes for the engineer to complete the repairs on your broken boiler. An engineer will usually inspect your boiler and then estimate the amount of time that it’s going to take to complete the repairs so that they can give you a rough estimate of the costs before they begin the job.

As an estimate, most gas and heating engineers will charge between £30-£100 per hour for labour.

Some other engineers may offer a fixed-price boiler repair. This means that you will pay the same price for the job no matter how long it takes and the cost for both parts and labour for the job will be included within this price.

Boiler Service

During a boiler service, the engineer will carry out a number of tests to determine if your boiler is working efficiently and effectively.

A service usually includes an inspection of the following:

• Boiler controls – to ensure they are functioning correctly
• Seals – to ensure they are all intact
• Electrical connections
• Water and gas pipework
• Gas and pressure flow
• Internal main components
• Flue and combustion releases
• Safety devices

Your engineer should also identify any corrosions or leaks. A typical boiler service will cost between £60-£110 and should be completed once a year.

Cost to Remove a Boiler

There could be a number of reasons for dismantling the existing furniture – whether it be moving home or simply upgrading the furnishings to something different, it can potentially be a very time-consuming process.

While there are plenty of services for building furniture, there are also those that can assist with the disassembly of your equipment.

Before removing a boiler, you would need to cap off the gas, and you would need to drain the boiler and lines. You can disconnect the boiler fittings easily unscrewing it and cutting any connections that can’t be unscrewed on the side away from the boiler.

It is possible to remove a boiler yourself relatively easily. However, it is always recommended that you hire a professional to carry out any work when it comes to your heating system.

To have your boiler removed by a professional, you would be looking to pay around £50-£250 depending on the type of boiler and the complexity of the job. It shouldn’t take longer than a few hours to complete a boiler removal.

Hiring a Boiler Installer Checklist

There are a few things you will need to consider before hiring someone to install a new boiler for you.

Below is a list of some of the main things that you should consider when looking for the right contractor for the job:

• Does the engineer offer any guarantees with their work?
• How much is the work to complete? – Ask for a breakdown of costs so you can ensure you are paying a good price for each element of the job.
• What type of boilers does the company offer?
• Is the engineer experienced in fitting the type of boiler that you are purchasing?
• How many years’ worth of experience does the engineer have in fitting new boilers?
• Is the engineer on the Gas Safety Register?

FAQs

Sources

https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2018/08/new-boiler-cost
https://www.theheatinghub.co.uk/guide-to-boiler-installation-costs
https://iheat.co.uk/boiler-help/new-boiler-costs
https://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/heating-advice/step-by-step-installation
https://great-home.co.uk/new-boiler-benefits
https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2018/08/new-boiler-cost
https://www.directline.com/home-cover/need-a-new-boiler
https://www.stovesonline.co.uk/wood_burning_stoves/Gasification-boilers.html?adwordspermission=1