How long does it take to have a new boiler fitted in the UK? We asked some industry experts and Gas installers to find the answers.
Knowing exactly how long a boiler takes to be installed is good to know, let’s face it, things like booking time off work is a big deal.
So how long does getting a new boiler replaced and installed actually take?
How long does it take to fit a new boiler?
We asked industry experts and Gas engineers major questions about average installation times.
As always, the answer is that it depends on a variety of factors, these namely include the following:
- The type of boiler installation e.g. combi, system or heat only.
- Whether you want to boiler moving to a new location.
- Whether you want to convert the type of boiler e.g. combi to system.
With that out of the way, here are the most common types of boiler installation scenarios and average timelines…
Average time to replace a boiler UK
The most boiler installed into homes in the UK is the combi boiler or combination boiler.
Therefore, we reached out to gas boiler installation company Heatable.co.uk to find out exactly how long to average boiler install takes.
Co-founder Ben Price had the following to say:
“A straightforward combi boiler install takes between 4 and 6 hours to complete, therefore, it’s pretty much completed within 1 working day.”
But obviously not all homes in the UK use a combination boiler, some use system or heat only boilers.
Some people will also be having a boiler conversion i.e. changing from one type of boiler to a different type, so what about these scenarios?
We have the average timelines for these too…
Want to learn about all the factors that contribute to a boiler quote? Check out our boiler cost calculator to understand the latest boiler deals and what is factored into a gas boiler replacement estimate.
How long does it take to convert a system boiler to a combi boiler?
If you are having your system boiler or conventional boiler removed and replaced with a new combi boiler, this will take longer than the average combi boiler swap.
On average the experts at Heatable explained that a boiler conversion takes around 2 days to complete on average.
Why does it take so long to convert a boiler type?
The main reason is that there is simply more work involved.
Compared to a standard combi boiler swap, a conversion means removing old pipework, old boilers, storage tanks and re-connecting the necessary connections.
It not only requires more time and labour, but also requires more materials hence the difference in cost too.
Wondering how much a new boiler costs? Check out our guide on options available if you need a new boiler but can’t afford it, as well as boilers on finance and government boiler grants here.
How long does it take to replace a back boiler?
If you need to have a back boiler removal and want to have it replaced with a combi boiler, the average installation time is around 1 to 2 days depending on the overall complexity of the job.
Why does it take so long to convert a boiler type?
The major reason that a back boiler replacement takes so much longer than a standard boiler install is that more is involved.
For example, not only does the back boiler need to be decommissioned, but a new combi boiler will need to be installed in a new location.
Since combi boilers also require the installation of a horizonal flue to direct the harmful exhaust gases out of the home, this also requires more time.
How long does it take to move your boilers location?
If you want to have your boiler moved to a new location in your home, this takes around half a day on average.
Again this is because more work and labour are involved such as re-piping and lifting up floor boards to access them.
The flue will also have to be moved and/or a new one installed, which adds more time to the installation process.
The exact time to move a boiler will depend on where you are moving it from and to, the bigger the distance the more you will likely pay.
Table showing the estimated costs of moving your boiler based on location:
| Boiler Type | Relocation | Average Install Cost |
|---|---|---|
| New Combi | Same Room | £500 |
| New Combi | Same Floor | £650 |
| New Combi | Another Floor | £850 |
| New Combi | Loft/Attic | £900 |
How long does it take to replace a boiler conclusion
As you can now appreciate, the exact time it will take to replace your current boiler depends on the exact installation scenario.
If it is a standard combi boiler swap in the same location it should be completed within 1 working day.
However, if it is more complex, such as a back boiler replacement, or a boiler conversion, it will typically take a few days.
To be sure, it’s always worth seeking multiple boiler quotes from different boiler installation companies.
Many of the online providers don’t even need to visit your property, they can usually provide you with a timeline based on the videos and photos you provide them via email and text.