Heather Campbell
How much your plumbing and electrics will cost when building new or renovating in the UK today.
In this article we cover:
- Typical cost of heating and electrics in new build homes
- Cost of heat pumps in the UK
- How much you can expect to spend on electrics
- Main elements that drive up costs
The systems that run your home such as heating, ventilation and hot water can be a major expense.
Heating and plumbing, in particular, often go over budget. As a design evolves, energy regulations and insulation requirements can change, as can the preference for more cost-efficient heating solutions.
Any design change affects costs, and plumbing and heating adjustments can be especially pricey. Projects that invest time in detailing these systems before the tender stage tend to stay on budget. In contrast, if a standard system is only loosely planned, costs can soar when the final design is specified.
[adrotate banner="58"]Material choices and manufacturer pricing vary widely, so without an accurate cost estimate from the start, staying within budget can be a challenge.
Heat pumps
Heat pumps cost more upfront than traditional gas or oil systems, but don’t cut costs by undersizing, as this can lead to poor heating and higher running expenses.
Installation costs vary widely, mainly depending on house size, hot water storage needs and installation complexity. While manufacturer pricing plays a role, the biggest factor is sizing as a larger home requires a bigger heat pump.
To get the best deal, request at least three quotes from reputable installers. This is also necessary for grant eligibility, which applies only to existing buildings.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, an air source heat pump costs around £14,000, while ground source systems are even pricier. Online supplier quotes suggest £13k+ for homes up to 200sqm and £15k for a 300sqm home.
Electrics
One of the most unexpected budget busters in any build is the electrical work. Working out the number of sockets, spotlights, wall lights, external lights or even the number of switches needed in a house can be difficult before construction begins. As a result, the electrical package often doesn’t receive the detailed attention it should.
For example, it’s common for a builder or designer to include three double sockets in a bedroom by default. However, when clients review the marked-up locations onsite, they typically request at least two additional sockets per room.
In today’s homes, it’s common to place a socket on each side of the bed, one in each corner of the opposite side and an additional high-level socket for a TV. This brings the total to five sockets, rather than the usual three. In a four-bedroom house, this change alone can add around £800 to the overall cost.
When you also factor in the number of sockets needed for the kitchen, utility room and living areas, the electrical budget can quickly grow as the design of the house evolves.
The type and quantity of switches, the colours of faceplates (chrome instead of white) and the introduction of in-joinery lighting (in cabinets, bookcases, shelving, etc.) are other ‘extras’ often found
in the final account.
Added to the above is the ever growing desire for smart technology. So you can talk to the oven, sound system, lighting and even TV. Care should be taken to really think these systems out as they can often be replicated with plug and play options at a fraction of the cost. You could spend £10k on a lighting system or just buy a smart home system with a few smart sockets and plugin lamps for less than £1k.
