How long does air conditioning installation take? (UK guide)
'Will you be in and out in a day?' — the second-most-asked question after price. Short answer: usually yes for one room. Here's the honest breakdown of how long a domestic AC install actually takes.
Typical install times
| Job | Realistic timing |
|---|---|
| Single wall unit (easy access) | 6–8 hours |
| Single wall unit (long pipe run, awkward routing) | 1 full day |
| 2-room multi-split | 1–1.5 days |
| 3-room multi-split | 2 days |
| 4–5 room multi-split | 2–3 days |
| Loft conversion install | add half a day |
These assume you're at home to give us access. We typically arrive 8am, work through, and clean up before 5pm.
What we do on install day
- Cover floors, furniture and route with dust sheets
- Mount the outdoor unit on brackets or ground feet
- Drill a single 65mm core hole through the wall for pipework
- Run insulated refrigerant pipework, drain line and control cable
- Mount the indoor unit(s), connect and test seal (vacuum + pressure test)
- Wire to a fused spur and commission with F-Gas certificate
- Full clean-up, walk-through and demo of the remote / app
What causes delays
- No prior electrical spur — we add half a day for a spark to wire one in
- Consumer unit needing an upgrade to take the load
- Scaffold required for a high outdoor unit position
- Chased pipework in solid walls (adds a day for plastering to dry)
- Change of mind on unit location mid-install (rare, but happens)
Do I need to move out?
No — most customers work from home while we install. We're careful, quiet(ish) and clean. The loudest 20 minutes is the core drill; we always warn you first.
Lead time to book
Once you've accepted a quote, we typically install within 2–3 weeks in summer (peak demand) and 5–10 days off-peak. Emergency installs sometimes possible — WhatsApp us and we'll be honest about what's available.
FAQ
Will you make lots of mess?
No. We dust-sheet routes, use core-drills with vacuum extractors, and clean up before leaving. Customers regularly comment that you'd never know we've been in.
Can you install in occupied bedrooms?
Yes. We work around your schedule — most bedroom installs are done within a working day.
How quickly can you start?
Off-peak (Oct–April) we can often be on-site within a week. In summer, book 2–3 weeks ahead — we get busy.
Ready for a real price on your home?
Free home survey, fixed written quote, F-Gas certified installers across the West Midlands. 60-second form or WhatsApp us a photo.