So what can you expect to pay for boiler installation?

Below, you will find some typical prices for various boiler replacement scenarios. Costs include boiler, labour, parts and VAT – and we’ve included a power flush as standard.

Conventional (heat only) boiler

Regular boilers are heat-only devices. The boiler provides the heating and a cylinder provides hot water. The scenarios below show costs for replacing a regular boiler in its existing location, and for installing a new regular boiler in a new location.

The cost of moving the boiler will depend on whether it will be in the same room or moved to another room. Both of these prices assume that the cylinder and other equipment not directly related to the boiler remain in the same place.

• Replacing a heat-only boiler in the same location: £2,937 (2 days)
• Replacing a heat-only boiler in a new location: £3437 (2.5 days)

Assumed mid-range boiler cost of £1000.

Combi boiler

Combination boilers provide both heating and hot water via the boiler, with no need for a cylinder to perform this function. Usually, a combi boiler installation will consist of either replacing an existing combi boiler or replacing a conventional boiler and hot water cylinder together.

Replacing an existing combi boiler

Here, we show approximate costs for a new combi boiler in situ, and in a new location.

• Replacing a combi boiler, same location: £2,937 (2 days)
• Replacing a combi boiler, new location: £3,687 (2.5 days)
• Replacing a regular boiler & hot water cylinder with combi boiler: £4,250 (3 days)

This kind of replacement might need extensive additional work to remove the cylinder and redirect pipes to the new boiler location.

• Replacing a conventional boiler & tank with combi boiler: £4,062 (3 days)

Assumed mid-range boiler cost of £1125.

System boiler

System boilers use an unvented tank to provide hot water and provide heating. System boilers offer excellent performance and are suitable for buildings with multiple bathrooms in use.

Typical scenarios involve replacing an old system boiler in the same location, replacing a conventional boiler & vented cylinder with a system boiler & unvented hot water tank, and replacing a combi with a system boiler/unvented hot water tank (standard for property extensions).

• Replacing a system boiler, retaining the unvented hot water tank: £2,875 (2 days)
• Replacing a conventional boiler/hot water tank with system boiler/unvented hot water tank: £5,562 (3-4 days)
• Replacing a combi boiler with system boiler/unvented hot water tank: £5812 (3-4 days)

Assumed mid-range boiler cost of £1062.

Back boiler

Back boilers are no longer installed, so the costs we will go through here are for replacing a back boiler with a newer boiler. A conventional boiler can be installed, retaining the hot water tank, or a combi boiler can be installed without the tank.

• Replacing a back boiler with a new heat-only boiler, retaining the hot water tank: £3,937 (3 days)
• Replacing a back boiler and hot water tank with a new combi boiler: £4,312 (3 days)

Assumed mid-range boiler cost of £1062.

What are the extra costs?

Costs include boiler, labour, parts and VAT. They are typical for a mid-range boiler, three-bed house and standard boiler installation set up. Most companies now include a power flush at no extra cost when fitting a new boiler. We assume this is included – as it is when we carry out boiler replacements.

Fittings, fixtures and pipework add onto the total cost, as do the materials and consumable tool parts required to complete works. Extra costs can be added if, for instance, the gas pipe needs to be re-run, a condensate pipe needs installing, the system needs sealing, TRV installation is required, or more extensive building works are required.

Boiler Plus

Any combi boiler replacement needs to be Boiler Plus compliant. Boiler Plus, which came into effect in April 2018, sets out revised energy efficiency and technical requirements for any new or replacement gas boilers being fitted in England.

The scheme stipulates that timing and temperature controls are required in new or replacement combi boilers An additional energy efficiency measure is required, such as weather compensation, load compensation, Flue Gas Heat Recovery, or smart heating controls. Each compliance method can be tailor-made for the customer’s requirements.

Summing up

The cost of each boiler installation depends on the individual building, the existing setup and the new boiler’s specific requirements. Additional factors such as construction costs and individual access requirements can also further drive up expenses.

Expect to pay upwards of £1,250 in any circumstance, plus the cost of the boiler itself, and block out 2 or 3 days for the installation. If you’re a low-income family, you might be eligible for a government boiler grant.

With that in mind, it’s important to ensure your boiler is living its best life. Hashtag blessed. Watch out for the tell-tale signs that your boiler is on its way out and make sure you act proactively if you see any signs that it is struggling.

Most importantly, please make sure your boiler replacement is carried out by a qualified, Gas Safe registered engineer!