Getting heat pump quotes in the UK is not like getting a boiler swap priced. Two installers can look at the same house and come back £6,000 apart — and the cheaper one is not always the better deal. Here is exactly what a proper quote contains, what the numbers should look like in 2026, and how to compare offers like for like.
What a good heat pump quote must include
A quote you can actually trust names all of the following:
- Heat loss calculation — a room-by-room MCS-compliant survey, not a rule of thumb based on floor area
- Heat pump make, model and output in kW at a stated flow temperature
- Design flow temperature — 35-45°C is efficient, 55°C+ signals radiators were not upsized
- Predicted SCOP (seasonal efficiency) and an estimated annual running cost
- Radiator or underfloor changes — which rooms, which sizes
- Cylinder — size in litres and whether it is new
- Pipework upgrades, electrical work and any consumer unit changes
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant shown as a deduction, plus the net price you pay
- MCS certification number and workmanship warranty length
If a quote is a single page with one price and a model number, it is a guess. Ask for the heat loss figures.
Typical 2026 UK heat pump quote prices
These are installed prices before the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, for air source systems:
| Property | System size | Typical quote | After BUS grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-bed flat / small terrace | 5 kW | £8,000-£11,000 | £500-£3,500 |
| 3-bed semi | 7-8 kW | £10,000-£14,000 | £2,500-£6,500 |
| 4-bed detached | 10-12 kW | £13,000-£18,000 | £5,500-£10,500 |
| Large or poorly insulated home | 14-16 kW | £16,000-£25,000+ | £8,500-£17,500+ |
Radiator upgrades typically add £150-£400 per replaced radiator. A new 210-litre cylinder adds roughly £1,200-£2,000 if you are coming from a combi boiler. For a fuller cost breakdown see our air source heat pump costs guide.
How to compare quotes like for like
Price alone is meaningless until the specifications match. Line the quotes up and compare:
- kW output — if one installer specifies 8 kW and another 12 kW for the same house, one of them has the heat loss wrong. Oversizing wastes money and cycles the compressor.
- Design flow temperature — a cheap quote at 55°C will cost you more every winter than a slightly dearer 40°C design.
- Radiator work included — the cheapest quote is often the one that skipped it, and you will pay later.
- SCOP — the difference between 3.0 and 4.0 is roughly 25% off your heating bill for the system's whole life.
- Warranty — 5-7 years on the unit and at least 2 on workmanship is the standard to hold out for.
- Grant handling — the installer must be MCS certified and apply for the BUS grant on your behalf.
Red flags in a heat pump quote
- No home survey, or a quote issued purely from photos and a postcode
- Refusal to share the heat loss calculation
- Pressure to sign the same day, or a "discount expiring tonight"
- No MCS number you can verify on the MCS certified installer database
- Deposit above 25% of the total, or any request for full payment up front
- No mention of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme at all
What happens at the survey
Expect 60-120 minutes on site. The surveyor should measure rooms, check wall construction and insulation, look in the loft, inspect existing radiator sizes, check the electrical supply and identify where the outdoor unit and cylinder will go. Noise limits and the one-metre boundary rule are checked at this stage too. A survey that takes ten minutes will produce a ten-minute design.
How the Boiler Upgrade Scheme changes your quote
The £7,500 BUS grant is claimed by your MCS installer and deducted from the invoice — you never handle the money. It applies to England and Wales, to homes replacing fossil fuel heating, and requires no outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations on your EPC. Full detail is in our Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility guide.
If you are on certain benefits or a low income, you may qualify for fully funded measures instead — see the ECO4 scheme guide.
Still deciding between systems?
If you are weighing a heat pump against keeping your boiler, our heat pump vs gas boiler running costs comparison puts real numbers against both.
Get three comparable quotes
The single best thing you can do is get three quotes from MCS certified installers who have all surveyed your home properly, then compare them on the checklist above. Home Energy Match matches you with vetted local installers free of charge — request your heat pump quotes here.