Radiator Replacement Cost

Looking to replace your radiators?

The average cost to replace a radiator in 2025 is around £200 per radiator. This estimate is based on a standard radiator size and includes average fitting costs.

As it only takes between 1 and 2 hours to replace most radiators, the labour cost to fit a radiator will be between £50 and £100. This means that the cost of a new radiator is going to (heavily) depend on the size and type of radiator that you're looking to replace.

For instance, the cost to replace a larger designer model radiator can be upwards of £700. On the other hand, the cost of a small and basic central heating radiator would be between £20 and £40.

This guide covers everything you need to know about radiator removal and 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 covering how to replace a radiator.

Just want to get a radiator replacement quote?

More than 1 million homeowners across the UK use MyJobQuote to find tradespeople near them every year.

And it couldn't be easier.

All you need to do is submit a few basic details about what you're thinking of doing. We'll then connect you with radiator fitters near you for free, no obligation quotes.

Want to learn more before getting quotes?

Read on for everything you need to know!

Radiator Replacement Cost Calculator

How Much To Replace a Radiator?

Radiators are an essential item in modern houses across the UK that distribute the heat generated from the boiler around your home.

But sometimes, they can stop working and may need to be replaced.

The cost of replacing a radiator with a like-for-like replacement will vary depending on the size.

Average replacement radiator costs range from:

• Between £100 and £200 for a small radiator replacement
• Between £200 and £300 for a medium radiator replacement
• £300 or more for a large radiator replacement

In many cases, it's a straightforward and quick job for a heating engineer. It's also a project that is usually manageable for DIY enthusiasts.

The main thing to remember is to install a new radiator that is the same size, with the same pipe fittings, as the one you are taking out.

You may also want to consider talking to a professional if you've previously found that the radiator the room was in wasn't being heated well enough. In these cases, you may need to consider installing an additional radiator in the room.

The prices charged for installing an additional radiator by plumbers will vary widely depending on the amount of pipework and the complexity of the job.

Don't worry though!

Replacing a radiator is a routine job for plumbers and, in most cases, should be completed in just a couple of hours.

Another very common reason for removing and replacing a radiator is when decorating. Accessing the wall behind the radiator for tiling, painting or wallpapering is much easier with the radiator removed.

Once you have identified that you need to remove a radiator, you need to determine the cost that is going to be involved with the whole job.

• Prices from smaller local tradesmen range from £150 to £200.
• Larger companies with national coverage charge £175 to £300.

Radiator Replacement Prices

As we've already touched on, the cost to replace a radiator depends mainly on the size of the radiator.

In the sections below, we've broken down the average radiator replacement prices that you should expect to pay for different-sized radiators.

Cost to Replace Small Radiator

The table below covers 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

The table below outlines the large radiator replacement costs, as well as the average price to remove or add an additional large radiator to your home.

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

How Much Is a Radiator? (Supply Only)

Are you thinking about installing a new radiator yourself?

If that is the case, you need to look at the price of radiators without the installation cost. There are many different types of radiators, including:

Central Heating Radiator Cost

Central heating radiators use corrugated panels to radiate heat out into the room.

You can get single-panel styles of central heating radiators for small rooms, or you can get double-panel ones for larger rooms as these produce more heat.

What are the benefits of central heating radiators? Take a look:

• Highest heat output.
• Greatest heating efficiency.
• Compact radiator styles for small spaces.

For the costs of central heating radiators, check out this table below:

Column Radiator Cost

Are you looking to add or retain a little bit of period charm to your home?

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

• They offer a traditional aesthetic.
• Originated from the Victorian-era.
• Modern models offer greater heat efficiency.

The cost of a column radiator will vary depending on size, for example:

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 technologies.
• Amazing designs.
• Dual-purpose radiators that 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 opt for vertical radiators.

The advantages of vertical radiators include:

• Fit perfectly into small wall spaces, meaning you can heat more of your home when you previously wouldn’t have been able to.
• Come in a wide range of styles and colours.
• Work well with bold designs.

The price of vertical radiators depends on size, for example:

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 towel access when getting a shower/bath.
• Stylish designs.
• Space-saving solutions.

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:

• They keep warmer for longer after turning your heating of
• Great radiators for large rooms with high ceilings.
• Provides a good contrast with contemporary décor.

Cast iron radiators are available in various sizes, including:

Flat Panel Radiator Cost

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

Here's why:

• They are designed to be light and compact.
• They can fit into almost any room without taking up a hefty amount of space.

Flat panel radiators costs range from:

Stainless Steel Radiator Cost

Stainless steel doesn’t corrode or rust as some other metals do, so a stainless steel radiator is guaranteed to last a long time.

The pros of stainless steel radiators include:

• Efficiency.
• Low-maintenance.
• The various options and finishes available.

Stainless steel radiators cost approximately:

Mirror Radiator Cost

To create the illusion of more space, you should consider investing in a mirrored radiator. What are the advantages of a mirror radiator?

• They double up as a stylish décor item.
• Create the perception of a bigger space.
• Bounces 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.
• Can easily blend into the décor.
• They can wrap around corners.

The costs of different sized space saving radiators:

Labour Cost to Fit a Radiator

Below are the costs you should expect to pay for a plumber or heating engineer to remove and replace a radiator in the UK.

Like-For-Like Radiator Replacement Cost

For a simple like-for-like radiator installation, you can expect a professional tradesperson to charge under £500 for the whole job.

With the cost of the radiator included, you will be looking at paying around £200 to £300 in Southern UK and around £150 in Northern UK.

Typically, a radiator replacement should only take a couple of hours. The tradesperson should bleed and test the radiator system after the installation of the new radiator.

It may also be necessary for them to top up the system with water. This depends on how much water you lose in the process of removing the old radiator.

New Radiator Installation Cost

The price for installing an additional radiator in your home will vary depending on the amount of new pipework that is needed, as well as how accessible the existing pipework is.

The cost of fitting an additional radiator will vary depending on who you hire.

For instance...

• A small business or sole trader will cost around £150 to £200.
• A larger national company may charge £175 to £300.

Keep in mind: Adding extra radiators to a property may necessitate upgrading your boiler if it can't handle the extra demand. Ensure that you discuss this with a heating engineer.

Radiator Bleeding Cost

Bleeding a radiator is a very simple task. With the right tool, you can bleed all of the radiators in your home in under an hour.

However, this is also an affordable job if you'd rather leave it to a professional.

The cost of bleeding your radiators should not normally be more than £150. Prices usually range between £75 and £120.

How Long Does Replacing a Radiator Take?

It doesn't normally take more than 2 or 3 hours for a plumber or heating engineer to replace a single radiator. If you are replacing all of your radiators, you should expect it to take between 1 and 2 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 necessiate 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.

Additional Radiator Replacement Costs

Below are some of the additional jobs that might be necessary to complete at the same time, and which will increase the total cost of replacing your radiators you're quoted by a professional.

• New Boiler Cost — £900 to £3,500
• Water Tank Cost — £150 to £600
• New Pipework Cost — £800 to £1,000
• Power Flush — £350 to £650
• New Thermostat — £150 to £280
• TRV Replacement Cost — £5 to £39
• Home Insulation (professional loft insulation) — £300 to £350
• Double Glazing Installation — £2,500 to £6,500

What Impacts Radiator Replacement Costs?

There are several factors that may affect the costs of removing and replacing a radiator.

In this section, we'll go through the most significant factors that impact the prices you're quoted.

Type of Radiator

The type of radiator that you are installing may greatly affect the cost of the job at hand.

If you are installing a like-for-like radiator, you would be looking at paying a lot less than you would if you are changing the style of the radiator installed.

Size of Radiator

Radiators come in a variety of sizes, and this will affect the cost. Depending on the size of the radiator, it may take a plumber longer to install the radiator.

This will also affect the cost as the plumber will charge more for a bigger job.

Number of Radiators

If you need more than one radiator removed and replaced, then you will need to factor in the extra costs of the additional radiators plus the additional costs involved with the labour.

It will take a lot longer for the tradesperson to install more than one radiator, and the cost will increase depending on the length of time that the entire job takes.

New Pipework

If the plumber has to install new pipework into the system to fit your new radiator, this is also going to incur some additional costs.

You will need to think about the price of the additional pipework, as well as the extra cost of labour for fitting the new pipework.

Reasons to Remove and Replace a Radiator

Some of the main reasons why you may need to change a radiator are listed below.

Age – Generally, it is recommended that radiators should be replaced every 15-20 years. If your radiators are getting close to this age range, it’s worth taking a look at them and evaluating how they are performing.

Rust – Rust can often occur on the outside of radiators due to their heating and cooling nature. If rust isn’t treated right away, it can become a problem and can eventually cause leaks.

Corrosion – Corrosion can occur within your radiator due to sludge which can build up over time. This causes rusting from the inside of your radiator and can eventually lead to leaks.

Blockages – Blockages can be caused by a clog of sludge or rust. This can prevent the radiator from heating up.

Lack of efficiency – A less efficient radiator leads to heat loss which can result in it taking a lot longer to heat the room.

Upgrade – You may wish to upgrade your current radiators for new models.

Leakages – Leakages can occur for a number of reasons and can often be difficult to fix.

Things to Consider When Installing a Radiator

When replacing a radiator, you should think about the boiler capacity and efficiency. If the boiler is more than 10 years old, it might be worth replacing the boiler at the same time. For reference, a new boiler installation costs around £2,000.

Replacing your boiler is an expensive investment, and you may need some help choosing the right boiler, with so many options out there, all with there own benefits and drawbacks.

Another related job is fitting TRV valves for more efficient control of room/radiator temperature. Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRV) control the temperature of the radiator by sensing the room air temperature and automatically opening and closing the water flow to the radiator to maintain a pre-set temperature.

TRVs are now a requirement as part of building regulations in homes, but many older properties still do not have them. Check with your installer to make sure you have the correct valves.

Additionally, there is no point in having efficient radiators if your house is poorly insulated! Modern guidance is that mineral wool loft insulation should be around 270mm thick and have a U-value of 0.16 W/m²K (which is a thermal efficiency measurement) if installed on the loft floor.

Insulation costs around £450, but the prices you're quoted will depend on a variety of factors.

You may also want to explore whether it's time to get new windows installed. Replacing all of your windows with new double glazing costs around £4,500, but the prices you're quoted will vary depending on the number of windows your house has and the style of windows you want to get fitted.

Even if you currently have double glazing, changes in building regulations and improvements in how double glazing is manufactured mean that new units could be considerably better than windows that are a decade or older.

Triple glazing is another option you may want to consider if you want to maximise the energy efficiency of your home. On average, triple glazed windows cost around £4,000 — but, as before, prices will depend on the number of windows your house has and the style of windows you want go get fitted.

Finally, you need to consider if you really do need a new radiator of if there is an issue with your heating system. It may be worth getting a power flush through your central heating to remove all the sludge and debris that builds up over time.

DIY Radiator Replacement & Removal

It is always recommended to seek professional advice or hire a tradesperson to carry out the job of removing and replacing a radiator if you are unsure of how to do so or if you aren’t confident in your plumbing skills.

Although hiring a professional does cost money, you may find that you save a lot of time, effort, and even additional costs by going down the professional route. This will also prevent any problems further down the line.

However, if you have previous plumbing experience, then you may be able to complete the job successfully as long as you have the right tools and skills.

Tools and Materials Needed

• New radiator.
• New radiator brackets.
• Washing up bowl.
• Two adjustable spanners.
• Radiator bleed key.
• Drill.
• Pipe/Cable/Stud detector.
• Cloths or rags.
• PTFE (thread seal) tape.
• Steel wool.
• Another person to help.

Removing and Replacing Your Radiator

The best way to remove and replace a radiator yourself is to choose a replacement that has identical pipe centres. These are the distance between the two water pipes. This will make the job a whole lot easier.

If you choose a radiator that is a different shape or size, then you will need to drain the system and make some alterations to the pipework.

Step One

The first step you need to take when removing and replacing a radiator is to shut off the valves at either end.

Turn the manual valve clockwise until it doesn’t turn anymore.

If your valve is a TRV, turn it until it is in the off position.

If you have a lockshield valve on one end, you simply need to pull the plastic shield off and then turn the shaft clockwise with a spanner. Be sure to count the number of times you turn the spanner, as this will ensure that you can set your radiator to the same flow rate.

Step Two

Place a washing-up bowl underneath the valve so that the water can be caught as it begins to drain.

Loosen one of the cap nuts that connects your valve to the radiator using your adjustable spanner. You may need to use the second spanner to secure the valve body to prevent it from turning and ruining the pipework.

Step Three

Locate the bleed valve at the top of your radiator and open it. Then, loosen the connecting cap nut between the radiator and the valve to drain the water away. Make sure to catch the draining water in the washing-up bowl.

If your radiator is quite old, the water inside may be quite dirty or sludgy. Keep this in mind, as you may need to wipe up any spillages using your cloth or rags.

If your washing-up bowl isn’t deep enough to collect all of the water, just tighten up the connecting cap nut again, pour the water away, and then restart the process until it is fully drained. When there is no more water coming out, disconnect the valve located on the opposite side of the radiator.

Step Four

If your radiator is a large one, you may need someone to help you do this step.

Lift your radiator away from the wall mounting brackets and then tip it to drain any remaining water out. Once all the water has stopped exiting, stuff the outlets with some rags or tissue to stop them from leaking.

If the brackets that are currently on your wall don’t suit your new radiator, remove them. You will then need to replace them with appropriate ones.

If you have to drill into the wall to do this, always be sure to check what is behind the wall. You don’t want to accidentally drill into a pipe. A digital detector will help you determine what is behind the wall.

Step Five

Carefully remove the valve connectors from your old radiator using a spanner.

Using wire wool, clean the connectors and then wind your thread seal tape between five and ten times around the threads to ensure that a watertight seal is created.

Screw these connectors into your new radiator, and be sure to tighten them completely. Then, hang your new radiator on the wall.

Connect the valves to the new radiator once it’s on the wall and reset them. Don’t forget to check the number of turns you did earlier so that it’s on the same settings as the previous radiator. Once this is complete, allow water to enter the radiator.

As this is happening, you will need to open the bleed valve slightly to allow any air to escape. When the water begins to spurt out, close the bleed valve.

Check each of the valves for leaks and then tighten and dry them if needed. Turn your central heating on and keep checking back every now and again for any drips.

To ensure you bleed your radiator correctly, take a look at our how-to guide.

Cost of Moving a Radiator

Most of the time, your house will be built with radiators in the middle of the wall so that the heat distributes evenly around the room. However, this isn’t always ideal, so you may want to move your radiator to a different part of the wall or to a different wall completely.

The cost to move a radiator is around £200 and it will usually take a professional between 2 to 3 hours to finish.

It's usually best to leave moving a radiator to a professional. This is because there are many things to consider when moving a radiator, such as what is behind the wall and how to correctly move the pipework. It’s not a simple job — especially if you don’t have great plumbing skills!

Radiator Maintenance and Repair

It is important to ensure that your heating is working efficiently, not just for your comfort but also for your bank balance. During the colder months of the year, you will need to heat your entire property quickly, and you will want it to stay warm. Knowing how to fix some minor issues and maintain your radiators will help you keep your home warm without having to call out a professional.

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

If you feel cold spots on your radiators, or if they are 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 will help make your radiators work more efficiently.

If bleeding your radiators doesn’t fix the cold spots, it may be an indication of a deeper issue, and you will need to call a professional out to have a look at it.

How to Fix a Noisy Central Heating System

Every boiler has different controls, so be sure to keep your manual in a safe place so that you can always refer back to it. Most central heating faults have quite simple solutions that you can usually fix yourself. If you are in doubt, however, always call in a professional.

How to Fix Creaking Pipes

Creaking pipes can be caused by the hot pipes expanding or by the pipes rubbing up against the wall, floor, or other pipes.

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

How to Fix Humming Sounds in 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.

How to Fix Rushing Sounds in Pipes

Rushing sounds in pipes are usually caused by air or bubbles within the system.

The best way to fix this issue is to bleed your radiators. If bleeding the radiators doesn’t fix this issue, then it is best to call out an engineer to check for a deeper issue.

How to Fix 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.

It is best to call out an engineer to check your system. They will be able to best determine the issue and will be able to 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 down the line.

If you're having repairs or maintenance done, this is an ideal time for upgrades. It may be worth upgrading your boiler, radiator or installing a new smart thermostat.

Checklist: Hiring a Radiator Fitter in the UK

Although replacing a radiator can be done as a DIY job, most people choose to hire a plumber or heating engineer to do this for them.

A plumber or heating engineer will have all the right skills and will be trained correctly on the best practices of the job. They will also usually have many years of experience.

Before choosing someone for this job, you should consider the following checklist to help hire the person for the job.

Below is a list of things that you should consider before hiring a professional to fix any problems with your radiator.

• Is the tradesperson Gas Safe registered?
• Can they offer a warranty on their work?
• How many years of experience do they have fixing radiators?
• Are there any extra fees involved?

FAQs

Sources

https://www.homebase.co.uk/ideas-advice/plumbing-and-heating/heating/how-to-replace-a-radiator/
https://www.plumbcare.com/blog/2017/10/5-steps-to-take-when-your-radiators-wont-heat-up
https://www.dripfix.co.uk/helpcorrosioninhibitor.aspx