Moving a Radiator During a Home Renovation: Costs and Planning Considerations

By moving a radiator around a room, you can design the room to be an open-plan living area, to have a new kitchen fitted, or even to rearrange furniture around in your home.  Moving a modern radiator around a room can make a big difference to the layout of a room. 

Re-positioning a radiator involves more than simply removing it from a wall and relocating it to another. Key factors to consider are cost, pipework, wall space and heating requirements of the room.

With careful planning, you can avoid unnecessary expenses to achieve the desired heating solution in your newly renovated room.

Why Move a Radiator?

Many reasons exist as to why a homeowner may wish to move a radiator during the renovation of a house.

To create space for a new sofa, wardrobe or kitchen cabinets, or because you’re removing a window, or even an internal wall and hence totally rearranging the living room!

In some cases, the existing radiators are not suitable for the design changes to be made.

You can design your room and still have a warm room.

How Much Does It Cost to Move a Radiator?

The cost depends on the amount of work involved. Moving a radiator a short distance may be relatively straightforward, while relocating it to another wall can require more extensive plumbing.

The main costs to consider include:

• Labour: A plumber or heating engineer will need to disconnect and reconnect the radiator.
• Pipework: New pipes or alterations to existing pipework may be required.
• Wall and floor repairs: Moving pipes can leave holes or marks that need filling, plastering or decorating.
• New valves and fittings: You may need replacement valves or other components.
• Radiator replacement: If your existing radiator is unsuitable for the new position, you may need to buy another model.

Relocation costs will fall within the region of £150 – £400 for straightforward jobs; however, more complex moves can cost anywhere between £400 – £800 and above for additional finishing work. Quotes can vary greatly depending on location, access, amount of pipework to move, type of flooring and amount of finishing work required.

Before the work commences, ask for a detailed quotation outlining the scope of the work, and what is included in the price (i.e. labour, materials and/or repairs).

Choose the Right New Position

When you are moving a radiator, consider the impact of the radiator’s new location within the room.

A radiator needs space to circulate the warm air that it produces. So, try to position it away from the back of large pieces of furniture or behind curtains.

We see under-window locations often as they combat the penetration of cold air into a room but there are plenty of other locations where a radiator can be effective providing it is correctly sized for the space chosen.

Consider the following before deciding:

• Will the radiator interfere with furniture?
• Is there enough wall space for the unit and its valves?
• Can the heating pipes reach the new position?
• Will the radiator be easy to access for maintenance?
• Is the new location suitable for the room’s heating needs?

Marking the proposed position with tape can help you visualise how the radiator will fit before committing to the move.

Should You Keep Your Existing Radiator?

Moving a radiator is an opportunity to look at the model of radiator you are using and see if it is doing the job that you require.

When a radiator is relocated, it is a good opportunity to establish whether it is still functioning and producing sufficient heat. If so, it may be possible to complete the room’s renovation and fit new radiator supports and radiators, pipework, etc, at minimal cost.

However, a damaged, corroded or too-small radiator is best substituted with a more efficient model when it is shifted to a new position.

In addition to simple panel radiators, there are a wide range of designer radiators available, which would provide a beautiful focal point to any interior that has undergone renovation.

Whatever radiator you choose for your renovation, always check the heat output before buying. A radiator that fits your wall perfectly is of no use if it does not generate enough heat for your room.

Plan the Pipework Carefully

Pipework is one of the biggest factors affecting the cost of moving a radiator.

If the new position is close to the existing one, the plumber may be able to adapt the current pipes. Moving the radiator to the opposite side of the room can require much more work.

The type of flooring also matters. Pipes running beneath accessible floorboards may be easier to alter than pipes beneath a solid concrete floor.

If you’re renovating the entire room, coordinate the radiator relocation with other work. Moving pipes before new flooring or kitchen units are installed can reduce disruption and avoid paying to remove finished surfaces later.

A qualified heating professional can assess the most practical route for the pipework.

Think About Heating Performance

Moving a radiator can change how heat is distributed around the room.

Before installation, consider whether the new position will provide comfortable warmth throughout the space. Large rooms, open-plan layouts and areas with substantial glazing may need a different radiator size or more than one heating source.

Your home’s insulation also affects how much heat is required.

If you’re changing the radiator as part of the move, ask a heating professional to calculate the room’s heat requirement rather than choosing a replacement based only on its dimensions.

This is particularly important if you’re switching to a heat pump, as the lower water temperatures used by many heat pumps can require radiators with a suitable heat output.

Can You Move a Radiator Yourself?

Someone with plumbing experience may be able to handle a straightforward radiator removal and refitting. However, relocating a radiator usually involves draining part of the heating system, altering pipework and checking for leaks.

If you’re not confident working with central heating systems, hiring a qualified plumber or heating engineer is the safer option.

Always switch off the heating and allow the system to cool before any work begins. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and seek professional help if you’re unsure how to isolate or drain the system safely.

Plan the Move Around Your Renovation

Timing matters when you’re renovating.

Ideally, try to position the radiator before work such as plastering, decoration and new flooring is carried out. Your installer will require access to the walls and pipes, and it could potentially get damaged after completion of work already carried out.

Ensure that you coordinate the various trades such as electricians, floor layers and kitchen installers should they be working within the same room.

Agreeing the new position of the radiator early on can save a lot of time, help to minimise disruption and avoid any additional costs.

Final Thoughts

Renovating a home is the perfect opportunity to move a radiator to create a more practical room and make best use of valuable wall space. However, the cost to move a radiator will depend upon distance, complexity of pipework, etc and whether a new radiator is required.

Plan the new position of your radiator and obtain a quote for the work to ensure that you get the best value for money for your needs.

With a little planning, you can create more useful space in your home and still maintain a warm room.