Boilers have long operating lifespans, but there will come a time when you’ll need to invest in a new model. Whether your old one has finally broken down completely or you just want to get your hands on something a bit more efficient, it’s not a cheap job to have done, and it’s nice to know what you’re actually paying for.
In this article, we break down the main costs associated with installing a new boiler – namely, the boiler itself and the installation labour – along with some other considerations that can have a big impact on the end price you’ll have to pay.
The boiler
There’s a big range in terms of how much you’ll have to pay for the boiler itself. It can be anywhere from roughly £600 to £10,000, but most combi boilers will be more in the range of between £1,000 – £1,500.
Something more specialist like a biomass boiler might be closer to £10,000, while a ground source heat pump could be more than double that.
Installation costs
Of course, you’ll also need to have the boiler installed. How much this ends up costing will depend on a number of factors, most of which will be related to whether you’re having it installed in the same or a different location, and whether you’re having the same type of boiler installed or a different system entirely.
Like-for-like replacement
If you’re having the same kind of boiler installed as your old model, in the same location, then you should expect to pay a reputable company like Able Plumbers around £1000-2000 for installation. It should be a relatively quick job; if there aren’t any complications, it could be completed in around 4 hours.
Changing location
If you’re getting your new boiler installed in a different location, then you may have to pay a bit more to get it installed. The plumber will need to route new gas and water pipes, install new wiring to power the boiler, and then hide all of that work.
You could end up spending closer to £2000-3000 in these kinds of installation situations, and it could take a couple of days or more, depending on how much extra work needs to be done.
New system
If you’re having a new system installed, it will be more similar price wise to changing your boiler’s location than having a like-for-like replacement done.
The engineer has to choose an appropriate location for the boiler, route the water and gas pipes to the new location, hide those pipes, and then link everything up.
It could cost between £2000-5000, again depending on how much needs to be set up.
It’s worth shopping around a little bit before you choose a boiler and installation company, to make sure you’ve got the right option. Just don’t try to go too cheap by compromising on the quality of the install – you could end up with an unreliable or downright dangerous heating system that will only end up costing you more in the long run.