Can a radiator be moved to a new location?

As your home evolves, so do your needs for the space within it. That awkwardly placed radiator that once seemed fine might now be preventing you from fitting in a new sofa, installing built-in wardrobes, or achieving that perfect, symmetrical bathroom layout you've been dreaming of. This leads to one of the most common questions in home renovation: can you actually move a radiator to a different wall or a new location?

The short answer is a resounding yes, you absolutely can. Moving a radiator is a very common job during redecoration and refurbishment projects. However, the process is more involved than simply unhooking it and screwing it into a new spot. The complexity, cost, and skills required depend entirely on the type of radiator you have – a traditional central heating model or a modern electric one.

This expert guide from Company Blue will walk you through everything you need to know about relocating a radiator in 2025. We'll explain the process for both types, outline the likely costs, and clarify why this is almost always a job best left to the professionals.

Part 1: Moving a Central Heating ('Wet') Radiator

This is the more complex of the two scenarios because you're not just moving a piece of metal; you're moving the plumbing that feeds it. This is a significant plumbing task that should be undertaken by a qualified and experienced professional.

What's Involved in the Process?

A plumber won't simply move the radiator; they will need to re-route the hot water pipes from your central heating system to the new location. Here is a typical step-by-step overview of what the job entails:

1. Planning the New Pipe Route: The plumber will first assess the best and most efficient route for the new pipework. This involves considering the position of floor joists, existing pipes, and the desired final location.
2. Draining the Central Heating System: To work on the pipes, the entire central heating system must be fully drained of water. This is a time-consuming but essential first step to prevent a major flood.
3. Removing the Existing Radiator: Once the system is empty, the old radiator is disconnected from the valves and lifted off its brackets.
4. Extending the Pipework: This is the most disruptive part of the job. The plumber will need to lift floorboards or, in some cases, chase channels into solid walls to run new copper pipes from the old location (or from the nearest existing heating pipes) to the new one.
   
5. Making New Connections: The new pipework is then expertly cut, bent, and soldered to create secure, leak-proof joints, terminating at the exact spot required for the radiator's valves.
6. Installation and Re-fitting: The radiator is mounted securely in its new location, and the valves are connected to the new pipework.
7. Refilling and Commissioning: Finally, the entire central heating system is refilled with water (and a corrosion inhibitor). The boiler is re-pressurised, and the newly moved radiator is bled to remove any trapped air. The plumber will then perform a full test of the system to check for leaks and ensure everything is heating up correctly.

Key Factors Affecting Cost and Complexity

• Distance of the Move: A short move to the adjacent wall is much simpler than moving it to the opposite side of the room.
• Floor Type: Extending pipes under suspended timber floorboards is relatively straightforward. If you have solid concrete floors, the job becomes much more disruptive and expensive as channels will need to be cut into the concrete and then refilled.
• Wall Construction: Chasing into solid brick walls is more labour-intensive than running pipes behind a plasterboard stud wall.

Part 2: "Moving" an Electric Radiator

If you have a modern electric radiator or towel rail, the process is significantly simpler, less disruptive, and cheaper because there is no water or plumbing involved.

What's Involved in the Process?

Moving an electric radiator is essentially a two-stage job for two different trades, or one multi-skilled professional.

1. The Physical Move (Mounting): This is a straightforward DIY task. The radiator is simply un-wired (by an electrician), lifted off its brackets, and the brackets are then removed. You can then re-mount the radiator in its new location, ensuring you use the correct, secure wall fixings for your wall type (e.g., heavy-duty plasterboard fixings).
2. The Electrical Connection (The Professional's Job): This is the crucial part that requires a qualified electrician. You cannot simply run an extension lead to the new location. For a safe and compliant installation, the electrician must run a new, dedicated electrical supply from the nearest point on the ring main to the new location. They will install a fused spur (a secure, switched connection plate) on the wall, to which the radiator will be safely hard-wired.

Cost & Timeframe Comparison (2025 Estimates)

Moving a Central Heating Radiator:

• Time: Typically a full day's work for a qualified plumber.
• Cost: Expect to pay in the region of £350 - £600+, depending on your location and the complexity of the pipework alterations.

Moving an Electric Radiator:

• Time: Usually 2-3 hours of work for a qualified electrician.
• Cost: Expect to pay in the region of £150 - £300.

FAQ: Relocating Your Radiator

Here are our answers to the most common questions about moving a radiator.