Plumbing and heating Timescales and costs
It takes between a couple of days and a week to refurbish a existing heating system but exact costs and timescales will vary with the type of heating you are choose and the size of the property. Most electricians and plumbers have their own ‘favoured’ systems. This is often because they are experienced at installing these types and find them reliable. It is wise to consider these recommendations – choosing something different may mean the job takes longer.
However, it is always worth shopping around. For example, always check what price tradespeople are charging for a boiler or other materials such as radiators – some may charge quite a sizeable mark-up, so you may save money by buying direct.
Most electricians and plumbers favour systems that they are familiar with.
New boiler
Fitting a new boiler will cost from around £1,200 for a small home to up to £3,000 for a larger property, depending on what you already have and how much work is required. Normally it will take a day or two to fit. It’s a good idea to make sure you use the system first on a week day, so any problems, such as leaky pipes, can be fixed before the weekend when call-out fees are higher.
Check out Which? Best Buys for boilers.
Central heating
Installing a new central heating and hot water system will cost anything from £1,500 for electric systems to £3,000 or more for full gas central heating, including a boiler, thermostats and radiators, for a large property. This can take up to a week or more, depending on how much pipework is required and whether you are fitting radiators, under-floor or storage heating.
