Cost of U/F Heating in a New Build?
Discussion
Hi all
Probably not the correct forum to ask this but we're a knowledgable bunch here in our own ways(!) so I'm looking for some advice on underfloor heating installation costs.
I'm getting a new bungalow built which will have concrete floors but the builders had planned to install traditional radiators etc in it. I've stipulated that it must have underfloor heating otherwise I do not want the house.
The quotes that the builder are giving me are a lot more than I've had installed elsewhere in the past albeit with a slightly different setup.
Can anyone in the know give me a rough price per square meter etc or in total, to supply and install a system? The floor plan is 124 sq mtrs and would likely be divided up into 4 zones. Obviously the builder has a budget already built in for the traditional heating setup so this would be subtracted from the cost
Cheers
Probably not the correct forum to ask this but we're a knowledgable bunch here in our own ways(!) so I'm looking for some advice on underfloor heating installation costs.
I'm getting a new bungalow built which will have concrete floors but the builders had planned to install traditional radiators etc in it. I've stipulated that it must have underfloor heating otherwise I do not want the house.
The quotes that the builder are giving me are a lot more than I've had installed elsewhere in the past albeit with a slightly different setup.
Can anyone in the know give me a rough price per square meter etc or in total, to supply and install a system? The floor plan is 124 sq mtrs and would likely be divided up into 4 zones. Obviously the builder has a budget already built in for the traditional heating setup so this would be subtracted from the cost
Cheers
Underfloor heating will work best with better than building regs minimum floor insulation. I hope the build hasn't got too far to specify the proper floor specification.
UFH will also require space for manifolds, which would be better designed for early rather than later. Like any system the design is important, if your builder is reluctant, it may be because he doesn't know enough about it, so some specialist knowledge may be needed.
I only know a bit from designs we were drawing up for a project, so maybe someone else can help with pricing advice.
UFH will also require space for manifolds, which would be better designed for early rather than later. Like any system the design is important, if your builder is reluctant, it may be because he doesn't know enough about it, so some specialist knowledge may be needed.
I only know a bit from designs we were drawing up for a project, so maybe someone else can help with pricing advice.
I have about fifteen underfloor systems in work at the moment so I should be able to help you -
You need to to get some basic ideas sorted before any building starts.
First of all whereabouts in the UK are you? Is gas available?
For versatility I would recommend pipes are fitted in a 100mm deep slab. Pex pipe, 16mm od x 12 mm id should be laid at a maximum of 200mm centres - maximimum length of 120m, so you will probably need 6 or 7 zones.
You can then use gas, oil, wood, or heat pump as the energy source.
The pipe supplying and laying should be between 10 and 15 pounds a square metre.
We would quote about 6,000 pounds for a complete system, (supplying and fitting everything including pipes in floor) - with an air sourced heat pump. BUT - the heat pump may not be the best solution depending on daytime winter temperatures.
The important thing is to get pipes fitted in the floor. You're right to reject radiators, cold feet syndrome.
Post back if you want more information.
You need to to get some basic ideas sorted before any building starts.
First of all whereabouts in the UK are you? Is gas available?
For versatility I would recommend pipes are fitted in a 100mm deep slab. Pex pipe, 16mm od x 12 mm id should be laid at a maximum of 200mm centres - maximimum length of 120m, so you will probably need 6 or 7 zones.
You can then use gas, oil, wood, or heat pump as the energy source.
The pipe supplying and laying should be between 10 and 15 pounds a square metre.
We would quote about 6,000 pounds for a complete system, (supplying and fitting everything including pipes in floor) - with an air sourced heat pump. BUT - the heat pump may not be the best solution depending on daytime winter temperatures.
The important thing is to get pipes fitted in the floor. You're right to reject radiators, cold feet syndrome.
Post back if you want more information.
Firstly thanks for the replies.
The build is based in Scotland and is not getting started for a few months yet so plenty time to fine tune the design and amend the necessary building warrants etc.
The heat source will be a gas condensing boiler.
Interesting that 6/7 zones are required. The builder has very little experience themselves of these systems so asked me to come up with number of zones required. I was keeping it as low as possible to keep costs down but 6/7 would be better anyway and allow more flexibility.
Any idea on a typical budget allocated to heating system in a normal house? The 6k would be OK minus the already allocated budget!
The build is based in Scotland and is not getting started for a few months yet so plenty time to fine tune the design and amend the necessary building warrants etc.
The heat source will be a gas condensing boiler.
Interesting that 6/7 zones are required. The builder has very little experience themselves of these systems so asked me to come up with number of zones required. I was keeping it as low as possible to keep costs down but 6/7 would be better anyway and allow more flexibility.
Any idea on a typical budget allocated to heating system in a normal house? The 6k would be OK minus the already allocated budget!
I assume you have full dimensioned, working drawings? If so, forward a set to Polypipe, they will do a complete design for you, and will cost it too. They will probably want to supply via a Builders Merchant, but your contractor should have good relations with one anyway.
A lot of the more "traditional" builders haven't done ufh yet, but there are quite a few people that have, and will be more than happy to quote you for doing it. Using a gas boiler makes the calcs a bit easier.
As an aside, if you have pets, they will love you for ufh, and you'll enjoy having your chairs back.
A lot of the more "traditional" builders haven't done ufh yet, but there are quite a few people that have, and will be more than happy to quote you for doing it. Using a gas boiler makes the calcs a bit easier.
As an aside, if you have pets, they will love you for ufh, and you'll enjoy having your chairs back.
Had a look at Polypipes website but don't see any function for getting a quotation? Have received two already of 1.5k and 2.5k to supply the materials. The builder will not allow me to instruct my own contractor to install it due to H&S/warranty/insurance issues etc(!)
I do not have architects drawings yet, only a floorplan and room sizes but this should be enough to calculate a rough price.
The builder has quoted worst case scenario of 10k extra to supply/install the system which is excessive and will not be paid. I am awaiting a more calculated and realistic price hence why I'm trying to do my own homework on prices etc too.
If it makes any difference, its a 3 bed bungalow although only the master room/en suite getting used daily.
I do not have architects drawings yet, only a floorplan and room sizes but this should be enough to calculate a rough price.
The builder has quoted worst case scenario of 10k extra to supply/install the system which is excessive and will not be paid. I am awaiting a more calculated and realistic price hence why I'm trying to do my own homework on prices etc too.
If it makes any difference, its a 3 bed bungalow although only the master room/en suite getting used daily.
Here's ours going in:
I haven't got the costings to hand as we pulled together trades to put it in rather than buying an 'off the shelf' install. ISTR it cost around 4-5K though, for the pipes laid in 60mm screed over a 100sqm floor.
From memory, we have alu-pex (or equiv.) in 60mm wet screed, over 120mm celotex, itself over a 200mm cast concrete slab (we're on fenland peat, so we're on piled foundations). The UFH is fed from a thermal store, so we get mains pressure hot water, instant heat and can run the house on electric, gas, wood burner or solar depending on the season.
So far the floor is fantastic - warm without being excessive, even and draught free. Our house is pretty well insulated though (SIPS build, high efficiency and airtight), so the heating doesn't have to work too hard to keep things comfortable.
I haven't got the costings to hand as we pulled together trades to put it in rather than buying an 'off the shelf' install. ISTR it cost around 4-5K though, for the pipes laid in 60mm screed over a 100sqm floor.
From memory, we have alu-pex (or equiv.) in 60mm wet screed, over 120mm celotex, itself over a 200mm cast concrete slab (we're on fenland peat, so we're on piled foundations). The UFH is fed from a thermal store, so we get mains pressure hot water, instant heat and can run the house on electric, gas, wood burner or solar depending on the season.
So far the floor is fantastic - warm without being excessive, even and draught free. Our house is pretty well insulated though (SIPS build, high efficiency and airtight), so the heating doesn't have to work too hard to keep things comfortable.
wcel said:
Firstly thanks for the replies.
The build is based in Scotland and is not getting started for a few months yet so plenty time to fine tune the design and amend the necessary building warrants etc.
The heat source will be a gas condensing boiler.
Interesting that 6/7 zones are required. The builder has very little experience themselves of these systems so asked me to come up with number of zones required. I was keeping it as low as possible to keep costs down but 6/7 would be better anyway and allow more flexibility.
Any idea on a typical budget allocated to heating system in a normal house? The 6k would be OK minus the already allocated budget!
A heat pump would be more efficient in energy terms, but could easily cost more (if ground source) and may not be cheaper to run in Scotland. There is a thread about a large house on the West Coast somewhere with a ground source heat pump.The build is based in Scotland and is not getting started for a few months yet so plenty time to fine tune the design and amend the necessary building warrants etc.
The heat source will be a gas condensing boiler.
Interesting that 6/7 zones are required. The builder has very little experience themselves of these systems so asked me to come up with number of zones required. I was keeping it as low as possible to keep costs down but 6/7 would be better anyway and allow more flexibility.
Any idea on a typical budget allocated to heating system in a normal house? The 6k would be OK minus the already allocated budget!
Straight Pex pipe is cheaper than Pex-Al and is more than adequate for underfloor. The easiest way to install the pipe is to staple it to polystyrene insulation.
More zones doesn't really add to the cost, if in doubt do short runs of pipe rather long ones. We use 300m rolls which does three zones - all zones have to go back to a manifold - manifold is fed from the boiler. I would suggest manual taps on the manifold, these can be adjusted to balance the system so different zones can be different temperatures - then use one master thermostat.
Pipe installation isn't rocket science - short runs, close spacing, spiral pattern (to even out temperature variations), don't go under walls, - then everything else is conventional with a gas condensing boiler.
You are swapping radiators for plastic pipe in the floor, it should be cheaper!
wcel said:
Had a look at Polypipes website but don't see any function for getting a quotation? Have received two already of 1.5k and 2.5k to supply the materials. The builder will not allow me to instruct my own contractor to install it due to H&S/warranty/insurance issues etc(!)
I do not have architects drawings yet, only a floorplan and room sizes but this should be enough to calculate a rough price.
The builder has quoted worst case scenario of 10k extra to supply/install the system which is excessive and will not be paid. I am awaiting a more calculated and realistic price hence why I'm trying to do my own homework on prices etc too.
If it makes any difference, its a 3 bed bungalow although only the master room/en suite getting used daily.
Go and see your local independant merchant. As I said in my earlier post, it sounds like your builder hasn't any experience of it, and is frightened of the unknown. As has also been said, it should be cheaper than rads, the manifold is the only real extra expense.I do not have architects drawings yet, only a floorplan and room sizes but this should be enough to calculate a rough price.
The builder has quoted worst case scenario of 10k extra to supply/install the system which is excessive and will not be paid. I am awaiting a more calculated and realistic price hence why I'm trying to do my own homework on prices etc too.
If it makes any difference, its a 3 bed bungalow although only the master room/en suite getting used daily.
Will not allow your own contractor? It's separate to the shell of the building, is he going to try to stop you getting a contractor in for your Sky tv too? Either he gets his act in order or I'd be suggesting he's not the builder for you, IMHO. He should know somebody capable of installing ufh, or ring Polypipe and they'll give you a list of installers in your area.
Are you buying off-plan from a developer or are you self building? Your posts could be interpreted either way and to be honest any advice needs to take this into account.
If you are self-building then what does your designer say? Or are you asking the builder to undertake the design role too?
If you're buying off-plan from a developer then you're stuck with using the developers tradesman. I wouldn't allow a third party trade to come in and do significant structural work to a building that I am obligued to warranty. Too many areas for defect liabilities and, in reality, who'll suffer if there's a problem? The occupier.
If you are self-building then what does your designer say? Or are you asking the builder to undertake the design role too?
If you're buying off-plan from a developer then you're stuck with using the developers tradesman. I wouldn't allow a third party trade to come in and do significant structural work to a building that I am obligued to warranty. Too many areas for defect liabilities and, in reality, who'll suffer if there's a problem? The occupier.
I'm buying off plan from a developer hence why I'm tied to them and their heating sub contractor
The subbie obviously has considerable u/f heating experience but the house/development have not been designed for the extra insulation/depths of concrete required hence why builder isn't overly keen to do it and trying to scare me with a pie in sky figure
The subbie obviously has considerable u/f heating experience but the house/development have not been designed for the extra insulation/depths of concrete required hence why builder isn't overly keen to do it and trying to scare me with a pie in sky figure
Spudler said:
He's bulls
tting you.
Makes no odds, same amount of concrete, insulation and screed. Unfortunatly, being the developer he holds most of the cards.
Yes, I agree, and as per my earlier post, it seems like he's no experience of doing it, so is trying to frighten you off having it.tting you.Makes no odds, same amount of concrete, insulation and screed. Unfortunatly, being the developer he holds most of the cards.
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