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What should a radiator fitter include?

A radiator fitter should write down the radiator, the valves, the pipework and who fills the system afterwards, and adding radiators can be building regulations work. Anything on the gas boiler itself needs a Gas Safe registered engineer, and this guide does not tell you to drain or open the heating system.

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By the QuoteZila editorial team. Editorial policy.

What does a radiator fitter's visit cover?

A radiator fitter hangs radiators and connects them to the heating pipes. The visit might be one new radiator in a bedroom, a full change of every radiator in the house, or a move because a kitchen is being refitted. Changing a radiator looks at what moves the quote. This page is what the job should contain, and what you should not do yourself before they arrive.

There is no draining sequence here, and no instruction to open a valve, undo a union or empty the system. That work stays with the person you hire.

Crewe, Nantwich and Sandbach are among the first Cheshire towns on QuoteZila. Anyone in the UK can post a heating job or register. The radiator still has to match the wall and the pipes wherever it is.

What should be written on the quote?

Ask for a list, not a single line:

  • How many radiators, which rooms, and the type and size they will supply. If they are keeping your radiator, say so.
  • Whether valves are replaced. A new radiator is a chance to fit a thermostatic valve. Ask if the quote does. This page does not print a required set of heating controls.
  • Whether pipes stay on the same wall or move.
  • Who fills and vents the system afterwards, and who checks the joints when it is hot.
  • Making good the wall and the floor.
  • Whether decoration is included. It usually is not.
  • How the job sits with building regulations if you are adding radiators rather than swapping one [S1].

Citizens Advice says a quote is a fixed price and an estimate is a rough guess, and to get written quotes from at least three traders [S4]. Keep the accepted quote. It is a binding agreement once you say yes [S4].

How do valves and covers affect the job?

Ask whether the valves are new and whether any of them are thermostatic, so two quotes are not pricing different fittings under one line. This page does not describe how a dial maps to a temperature. If the fitter names a valve, the instructions for that valve are the ones to follow after they have finished.

If you want a cover, tell the fitter before they place the valve, and ask them to say in the quote whether the cover changes where the valve sits. A cover left off the quote is a different job from a cover included in it.

A radiator on its own is not the whole heating control system. If the house has no room thermostat or no programmer, say so, and ask whether those are in this quote or left as they are. Do not treat a new radiator as a substitute for controls the quote never mentions.

When does the boiler need a Gas Safe engineer?

HSE says anyone employed to work on a gas appliance in a home must be a Gas Safe registered engineer, competent in that area, with the competencies on the back of the Gas Safe Register ID card [S3]. A fitter who is replacing a radiator on the existing pipes may never need to touch the boiler. If the quote includes moving the boiler, altering the gas pipe, or lighting the burner, that part is gas work. Ask to see the card for that part. Gas Safe Register. QuoteZila is not affiliated with this organisation.

HSE states the registration rule in its domestic gas questions.

HSE strongly advises that gas appliances, flues and pipework are serviced at least annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer [S5]. A radiator change is not that service. If the boiler has not been looked at for a long time, ask for a service as its own line rather than assuming the radiator visit includes it.

If you suspect the boiler is unsafe, turn it off and leave it. HSE says it is illegal to use a gas appliance you suspect is unsafe, until a Gas Safe registered engineer has checked it [S5].

GOV.UK says adding extra radiators to a heating system is among the jobs that might need building regulations approval, and that a competent person scheme means you do not apply yourself [S1]. Ask the fitter whether adding two radiators in a loft room is that kind of job.

What should you do before the fitter arrives?

Clear the wall. Say if the radiator is under a window, in a kitchen run, or on a stud wall that may not hold the brackets. Lift curtains. Tell them about a new floor that must not be damaged. Do not loosen pipework in advance.

If they ask for a deposit, Citizens Advice says not to agree to more than 25 per cent, and to get a receipt [S4]. A business registers for VAT when turnover passes £90,000 [S6]. Ask if VAT is included.

Jobs you might post

These are examples, not taken from real job posts.

  • "One bedroom radiator leaks at the valve. Please replace the radiator and both valves, same position, and leave the system filled. Do not include boiler work."
  • "Kitchen refit. Please move two radiators to the new wall shown on the plan, and say whether the pipes can stay or must be altered. Gas Safe card only if you need to touch the boiler."
  • "Add a radiator in a loft room that has no heating. Please say if building regulations approval is required and who arranges it. Size the radiator and show the calculation you used."

How do you post the job?

A photo of the radiator and the valves is enough for a straight swap. Up to five matched local businesses can send a quote [QZ2]. QuoteZila is free for customers and local businesses [QZ1].

Honest status: QuoteZila is new. We're starting in Cheshire, beginning with Crewe, Nantwich and Sandbach, and growing area by area. Anyone in the UK can still post a job or register a business. How fast you get quotes depends on how many local businesses have joined near you. Businesses can register and receive jobs straight away. We don't check insurance, qualifications or registrations, so please check these yourself before you hire.

Posting a job is not open yet

See our heating engineers page and plumbers page.

Questions about radiator fitting

What is a radiator fitter quoting for?

Usually one or more radiators: supply, hang, connect and leave the system working. The quote should say whether the valves are new, whether pipes move, and whether the wall is made good. A quote that says only 'fit radiator' can hide all of that.

Do extra radiators need approval?

GOV.UK lists adding extra radiators to a heating system among alterations that might need building regulations approval. You do not need to make the application yourself if you use someone on a competent person scheme. Ask the fitter which route applies to your job.

What should the quote say about valves?

Ask whether the valves are new, whether any of them are thermostatic, and whether a cover is part of the job. This page does not print how a numbered dial maps to a room temperature, because that differs by valve. If you want a cover, say so before the valve is placed.

Can the fitter work on the boiler?

Only if they are a Gas Safe registered engineer competent for that work. HSE says anyone employed to work on gas appliances in a home must be registered, and the competencies are on the back of the Gas Safe Register ID card. Changing a radiator is not, by itself, a reason to open the boiler. If the job includes the boiler, ask to see the card.

Does QuoteZila check the fitters?

No. We don't check insurance, qualifications or registrations, so please check these yourself before you hire. You can report a quote or a business from your job page.

This page is general information, not professional or legal advice. QuoteZila does not check Gas Safe, WaterSafe, NFRC, NICEIC or other registrations against the register on your behalf: look them up yourself.

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Sources

  1. QZ1: QuoteZila product fact. QuoteZila home and FAQ copy.
  2. QZ2: QuoteZila product fact. QuoteZila FAQ How does getting quotes work.
  3. S1: Building regulations approval, GOV.UK. Accessed 2026-10-28. https://www.gov.uk/building-regulations-approval
  4. S3: Domestic gas: frequently asked questions, HSE. Accessed 2026-10-28. https://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqs.htm
  5. S4: Before you get building work done, Citizens Advice. Accessed 2026-10-28. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/getting-home-improvements-done/before-you-get-building-work-done/
  6. S5: Gas safety: home owners, HSE. Accessed 2026-10-28. https://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqownerocc.htm
  7. S6: Register for VAT, GOV.UK. Accessed 2026-10-28. https://www.gov.uk/register-for-vat