“How long will the install take?” is one of the first two questions every homeowner asks. The honest answer depends on what’s being installed and what condition the existing system is in, but the shape of the work is predictable. Here’s the day-by-day breakdown for each install type, what we do at every stage, and what we need from you to keep things moving.
Stage 1 · First call to survey (1–5 days)
You call, WhatsApp or use the quote form on /contact. We respond within the same working day — in most cases within an hour. The first conversation establishes:
- What you want done (replace failing boiler, upgrade to combi, switch to heat pump)
- Whether it’s urgent (no heat, no hot water) or planned
- What property you’re in (helps us bring the right meters/tools)
- When you’re free for a 30-minute survey
Surveys are normally booked within 3–5 working days. Emergency replacements can be surveyed same-day in our core Kent coverage area.
Stage 2 · The survey itself (30–45 min)
Free, no obligation. We turn up with a clipboard and a flow-test gauge. What we check:
- Existing boiler make, model, age, position
- Cylinder (if present) condition and size
- Mains water pressure and flow at the kitchen tap
- Gas pipe size and run length
- Flue route and termination position
- Number of radiators, TRV condition, signs of sludge
- Hot-water demand (number of bathrooms, simultaneous-use pattern)
A site survey takes 30–45 minutes. We don’t leave a sales-pitch; we leave you with a written quote within 48 hours.
Stage 3 · Quote and acceptance (24–72 hours)
Written quote arrives by email within 48 hours of the survey. Itemised, fixed price for the scope agreed. Includes:
- The specific boiler we’re recommending (make, model, kW)
- All labour and consumables
- Disposal of the old boiler
- 2-year workmanship warranty
- Manufacturer warranty registration
- Magnetic filter, chemical inhibitor, system flush
- Any planning / grant submission work where applicable
You accept in writing (email reply or signed quote works). We send a deposit invoice if the job’s over £1,500.
Stage 4 · Booking and lead time (1–4 weeks)
Most installs book 2–4 weeks out. The lead time depends on:
- Equipment stock — standard Worcester 30i / Vaillant ecoTEC plus 832 boilers are usually in our workshop. Heat pumps and unvented cylinders typically have 1–2 weeks lead.
- Engineer availability — we book Monday/Tuesday installs preferentially so emergency call-outs later in the week don’t affect customer schedules.
- Any planning work — conservation-area heat pump installs are 6–10 weeks; standard combi swaps in non-conservation properties have no planning lead time.
- BUS grant applications — for heat pumps, 1–3 weeks for Ofgem to approve before install starts.
Stage 5 · The install day(s)
Combi swap — one day, 09:00–17:00
The most common Kent job. A working day on site, hot water back the same evening:
- 09:00–10:00: Arrive, sheet up floors, isolate water and gas, drain the system.
- 10:00–12:00: Strip out the old boiler. Cap off pipework. Power-flush the system in parallel if needed.
- 12:00–14:00: Lunch break, then position and hang new boiler. Plumb in.
- 14:00–15:30: Connect gas, condensate, flue. Refill system.
- 15:30–16:30: Commission — flue gas analyser test, gas tightness test, system pressure check, controls programmed.
- 16:30–17:00: Handover. Show you the controls, register the warranty, lodge with Gas Safe Register, hand over your Building Notice and CP12 (if landlord).
System boiler swap — 2 days
- Day 1: Strip out, install new boiler and cylinder, plumb in.
- Day 2: Commission, controls programming, balance radiators, customer handover.
Regular to combi conversion — 3–4 days
- Day 1: Remove loft tanks and old boiler. Decommission cylinder.
- Day 2: Strip airing-cupboard pipework. Install new combi.
- Day 3: Run new pipework where mains needs upgrading. Reinstate airing cupboard.
- Day 4 (often half-day): Commission, balance, customer handover. Decorative reinstatement if booked.
Air-source heat pump — 4 days
- Day 1: System strip-out, external unit base prepared.
- Day 2: External unit mounted, refrigerant lines run to the cylinder.
- Day 3: Cylinder install, electrical work (often needs a dedicated 32 A circuit), pipework changes.
- Day 4: Commissioning, MCS sign-off, controls programming, BUS grant paperwork lodged.
Stage 6 · After the install
Within a week:
- Manufacturer warranty registered (we do this on the install day; certificate emailed within 48 hours)
- Building Notice lodged with Gas Safe Register; certificate emailed to you
- For heat pumps: MCS certificate issued by us, BUS grant paid by Ofgem to us (we deduct it from your final invoice)
- Service reminder set for 11–12 months later
- Customer-care follow-up call at 2 weeks to check everything’s settled in
What we need from you
- Access — someone home the install day(s), parking near the property where possible
- Clear workspace — old boiler accessible, ideally 1 m clear in front; airing cupboard cleared for system jobs
- Hot water plan if multi-day — we can lend electric heaters for one cold-shower week if needed
- Decisions in advance — smart thermostat choice (Hive, Nest, tado), filter visibility preferences, any radiator upgrades wanted at the same time
The most important thing: book the survey now if you suspect your boiler is on borrowed time. Planning a replacement in July is calm; reacting to a failure in February is not. See our 10 signs your boiler needs replacing guide for what to watch for.