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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

New Central heating or move house?

66 replies

Heatingsystemwoes · 05/05/2021 20:47

AIBU to think that it would be easier to move house than have an entire new central heating system installed? Boiler, radiators, pipes, tanks etc.

My DH thinks not, I think yes, it would be easier and cheaper to just sell up and buy somewhere with a decent system in place.

We have a small 3 bed house on an old one pipe system. Apparently it needs converting to a two pipe system which means concrete floors dug up and floorboards/carpets taken up.

Has anyone done this and still lived in the house whilst work took place?
How long did it take, how much was it? Did you have to replace all carpets/hard flooring?

Talk me down. I’m panicking!

OP posts:
Yafilthyanimal · 05/05/2021 21:22

We had central heating and a shower put in 4 years ago and it cost 5k.

Upstairs they lifted the (brand new) carpets to run pipes.

Downstairs where we have a concrete floors they just ran pipes from the upstairs and boxed them in.

Took them a day and a half. We just went out for that time.

Yafilthyanimal · 05/05/2021 21:23

We didn't pack anything up.

It would easily cost you 5k or more to move when you factor in estate agents fees, removals, stamp duty, solicitors costs.

Yafilthyanimal · 05/05/2021 21:24

Sounds like you want to move though, deep down?

Original poster
Heatingsystemwoes · 05/05/2021 21:25

You’re all making it sound so easy/trouble free... I’m going to have to admit to my DH I’m a hysterical fool aren’t I?! (He hasn’t said that- just ‘overreacting’!)

OP posts:
Original poster
Heatingsystemwoes · 05/05/2021 21:27

@Yafilthyanimal

Sounds like you want to move though, deep down?
Not really! I would obviously like a bigger house in an area we can’t afford but if we moved, the reality is it would be smaller if it was newly renovated & in the same area.
OP posts:
poppycat10 · 05/05/2021 21:30

If I had the chance I would rip out my central heating system and put storage heaters in. Everyone says they are rubbish but they really aren't, with gas you only get heat when its on, with storage heaters it's always warm.

I am not sure you need to redecorate everything unless you fundamentally want to change the size and shape of every radiator. We replaced two radiators last year and just used the existing footprint. A new boiler would go in the same place. So it's only the new pipes you've been told you need. Have you got a second opinion? A quick google tells me the two pipe system is more efficient but is it needed? I was told 18 years ago I needed a powerflush and managed until 2 years ago!

Yafilthyanimal · 05/05/2021 21:31

I am the biggest worrier about cost etc, but if you get some quotes first and find out what it involves...it may not be so bad Flowers

Yafilthyanimal · 05/05/2021 21:32

Also, tradesmen are booked up quite far in advance here so if you do want it doing before winter, get in there quick.

Fixitup2 · 05/05/2021 21:38

If you move it’ll cost you more financially, you’ll still have redecorating right do in the new house to get it to your taste and you’re going into the unknown where anything can go wrong and you’d have to pack everything up to move.
You’re imagining the worst possible scenario with the work needed, to me it’s still a better option than moving.

Crimsonripple · 05/05/2021 21:42

We've just had a complete new system put in. Roughly 8k and we moved out.

Crimsonripple · 05/05/2021 21:44

Sorry, ours took a week. Carpets came up with floorboards then replaced. Doesn't look bad at all. Best thing we've done.

SomebodyThatIUsedToKnow3 · 05/05/2021 21:44

Our new heating went in without anything like that level of disturbance. Is reverse cycle air conditioning an option where you live? They cut vents in the ceiling and ducts go through the roof space. Took 2 days, bit of dust to clean up after, quick vacuum and back to normal.

SomebodyThatIUsedToKnow3 · 05/05/2021 21:47

Don't know if I need to add it heats as well as cooling. I prefer it to the old gas system we had in the last house. So much quieter.

Wegobshite · 05/05/2021 21:47

It might be easier and cheaper and less mess to leave the original stuff where it is and box in the new stuff .
My fathers house had absolutely no heating in it at all . Very old Victorian hours
it had to be connected from the main gas outside so a big job that cost about £700 -£800
It took 3-4 days once the gas was set up and cost around 3200 that was 4years ago .
That was a complete house with 3 beds -2 receptions

Original poster
Heatingsystemwoes · 05/05/2021 21:48

Thank you for your kind words everyone.
Yes, Yafilth I feel sick with worry when things go wrong - due to the cost definitely but mainly because I don’t understand how things work! Pathetic I know.

You’re imagining the worst possible scenario with the work needed, to me it’s still a better option than moving.

I am... I told you in my OP I needed talking down! Thank you!

OP posts:
bungaloid · 05/05/2021 21:48

Maybe a bit too early but eventually gas powered heating and water will disappear, if I was putting whole new system in I'd potentially consider a heat pump if possible. Pretty expensive I think though.

Original poster
Heatingsystemwoes · 05/05/2021 21:49

@Crimsonripple

We've just had a complete new system put in. Roughly 8k and we moved out.
Is that for a big house?
OP posts:
Original poster
Heatingsystemwoes · 05/05/2021 21:52

@SomebodyThatIUsedToKnow3

Our new heating went in without anything like that level of disturbance. Is reverse cycle air conditioning an option where you live? They cut vents in the ceiling and ducts go through the roof space. Took 2 days, bit of dust to clean up after, quick vacuum and back to normal.
Probably very different but I lived in a house with storage heaters at one time. Also one with narrow heaters along the ceiling that blew out hot air. I don’t know what that was! I liked both. Radiators are a bit of a PITA!! 😆
OP posts:
Original poster
Heatingsystemwoes · 05/05/2021 21:54

@Wegobshite

It might be easier and cheaper and less mess to leave the original stuff where it is and box in the new stuff . My fathers house had absolutely no heating in it at all . Very old Victorian hours it had to be connected from the main gas outside so a big job that cost about £700 -£800 It took 3-4 days once the gas was set up and cost around 3200 that was 4years ago . That was a complete house with 3 beds -2 receptions
That’s very reasonable! I was thinking maybe 5K... We booked in a few quotes tonight which is what set me off panicking! 😅
OP posts:
Elphame · 05/05/2021 22:01

We've had it done - big house too. I didn't want to damage our hard floors so much of the pipework is run under the plaster and we moved the skirting out a bit so a load of wiring and pipework is hidden behind it.

If you try to sell with a substandard heating system you'll have problems at the survey stage even if you price to take into consideration the cost of updating.

Original poster
Heatingsystemwoes · 05/05/2021 22:03

If you try to sell with a substandard heating system you'll have problems at the survey stage even if you price to take into consideration the cost of updating.

We did talk about this! You’re right I know! 😊

OP posts:
Wegobshite · 05/05/2021 22:11

Definitely look around British Gas wanted around £8000 😂
My dad got 4 quotes most were around the 3000- 4000
Plus the £700 to connect the gas from the street and put the meter in

Beebumble2 · 05/05/2021 22:34

@Heatingsystemwoes

Also Bee, do you mind telling me what it cost and how big your house is?
We didn’t move out, although I was prepared to go to a local Premier Inn. We had family nearby for showers and the cold water was on. Electric oil fired rads, and wood burning stove kept us warm. House is a 3 dbl bed cottage, two receps, kit, bath. We like it warm, so high spec rads. Cost around 9k. We probably could have got cheaper quotes, but wanted a professional job, fully guaranteed.
Original poster
Heatingsystemwoes · 06/05/2021 06:37

Prices seem to vary drastically!
8/9 K would be way too much!

OP posts:
NeilBuchananisBanksy · 06/05/2021 06:43

£8/9k would surely be cheaper than moving house though with stamp duty, EA and solicitor costs, plus the reduction in value because of the current heating.