A small flat can have a whole new system for about £4,000, while a large house can pass £9,000. That is the central heating installation cost in most of the UK, and it covers a heat loss survey, the boiler, pipework, radiators, controls and commissioning. Below you can see what moves a quote up or down. The work itself is described on our central heating installation page.
Central heating installation cost by property size
Typical UK central heating installation costs, supplied and fitted
| Job size | What it usually covers | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 1 to 2 bedroom flat or small house, around 5 to 7 radiators | £4,000–£5,500 |
| Typical | 3 bedroom house, around 8 to 10 radiators | £5,500–£7,500 |
| Large | 4 bedroom or larger house, unvented cylinder, many radiators | £7,500–£9,000+ |
A new gas connection, solid floors, removing old storage heaters or heavy making good can push a job past these figures. Put those in the quote as separate lines.
What a central heating installation includes
A full installation is a bigger job than any single part, so a quote should break it into stages:
- A heat loss survey of every room, which decides the radiator sizes and boiler output
- The boiler, flue and condensate drain
- Pipework from the boiler to every radiator, plus valves
- Radiators in each room, with thermostatic valves where they suit
- A room thermostat and programmer, or smart controls
- A hot water cylinder, if the home needs one
- Filling, cleaning, inhibitor, balancing and commissioning
What changes central heating installation cost
- Number and size of radiators. Each extra radiator adds pipework, valves and labour, not just the radiator.
- Floor type. Pipes run easily under floorboards, but a solid concrete floor means channels or surface runs.
- Boiler position. A boiler near the gas meter and an outside wall keeps the flue and gas pipe short.
- Hot water. A combi boiler heats water on demand. A system boiler with a cylinder costs more but can supply several taps at once.
- Starting point. A house with no heating at all needs a gas supply checked, and sometimes a new meter position.
- Making good. Lifting carpets and floorboards, and redecorating afterwards, may or may not be in the price.
- Controls. Smart thermostats and zoned valves cost more than a basic programmer.
Some installers include filling holes and refitting floorboards. Others leave it to you. That can be several hundred pounds of difference between two quotes.
How long it takes and what to expect
Most installations take three to seven days. Because pipes go in first, expect lifted floors and no heating while the old system is disconnected. If the home has no wet system yet, the heating a renovation or extension guide explains how to plan the pipework before floors and walls close up.
Replacing something else with central heating
If the house currently has storage heaters or electric panels, a new wet system means a gas connection and pipework in every room. That is a bigger job than a swap. Our signs you need new central heating checklist helps you decide when the change is worth it.
Getting central heating quotes that compare
Phone prices mean little here. Ask for three written quotes after a survey, each naming the boiler model, the number of radiators, the controls and anything left to you. Check the gas work is done by an engineer on the Gas Safe Register. To turn your own details into a budget, try the heating cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a new central heating system cost?
As a guide, a small flat costs about £4,000 to £5,500, a three bedroom house £5,500 to £7,500, and a large home with a cylinder £7,500 to £9,000 or more.
How long does it take to install central heating?
Most whole-house installations take about three to seven days. Larger homes, solid floors or a new gas supply take longer.
Can central heating be installed without lifting floors?
Sometimes. Pipes can run through lofts and voids, or along skirting boards, but some floors will usually need lifting. A survey shows how many.
Is a combi boiler cheaper for a new system?
Usually yes, because it needs no cylinder or tanks. It suits homes with one or two bathrooms, but a larger family may be better served by a system boiler.
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