Pricing new Istallation

Hi! Guys:
I do installation of hot water boilers once in a while, and I am at a lost in how much to charge. I've seen a wide range of installation prices for simple one zone hydronics. Any sugestion- RI New England. 1200 sqrt foot home.
Any ideas of current prices for replacing boilers (swapping an old one for a new one-burnham or weilMcalin) and for doing the istallation of baseboard first floor or second floor?

 

Costs tend to vary from area to area and among installers. Your best bet would be to talk with other installers in the area or call companies who do installation and ask them what they charge. Of course, you would do this detective work as a comparison shopper.

 

Basic rules of business apply. Cost of overhead determines labor cost. Workers compensation insurance, liability insurance, health insurance, vacation, sick time, cost of NATE certification, vehicles, tools, office, 24/7 on call techs, etc., etc.

Make sure the customer understands that it costs a lot of money to run a professional business that wil be there for them 24/7 after the installation.

Ken

 

I am doing this as a side job. No insurance, overhead, etc.

 

Do you tell your "customers" that ?

If not, you probably should.

What happens if God forbid, there should be a fire ?

 

"DoItYourself.com websites act as a Community website, or a voluntary association of individuals and groups who are developing a free to access resource of home improvement and general knowledge. "

I think you are abusing the intent of this site by soliciting pricing information so that you can compete at an advantage over the legitimate contractors in your area. These folks are in the business for the long haul and they play and pay by the rules.

 

Soory, I apologized if I ofended you; but a lot of profession starts as a hobbie or side jobs.

 

You should seriously consider getting liability insurance. I only pay about $3/day +/- for a million dollars per incident of coverage upto 2 million per year through Farmers insurance. Prices may vary in your region, but it is well worth the peace of mind. I've never had to use it, but when things happened that almost made me poop myself, I was glad I had it.

 

On another note, are you licensed to install heating systems in your area? What kind of training do you have? Have you worked with experienced installation tech's for a long period of time? Are you planning to pull the neccesary permits? Do you know the codes (fire, plumbing, electrical)? If you are lacking in any of these area's, I strongly reccomend you work on meeting these criteria before doing this by yourself. Also, technicians that have experience servicing and repairing the equipment make better installers because they learn what to do and not to do to make future service easier. Are you planning on installing gas or oil fired heating equipment? If you screw up on a gas install, you could blow up someones house, or worse, kill someone. If you screw up on an oil installation, you could have a six or seven figure environmental clean-up bill. Doing hydronic systems, if you have a leak or flood in someones house, the repairs and mold/mildew removal is extremely expensive. Can you handle that?

 

worked with master plumber for 5 years, have a degree in Electrical Engineering, worked as an Electrician, repiared appliances, consumer electronics, until the Japs ran me out of the market with cheap tv's, etc, etc.
Only problem - I lived in RI, a tight, corrupted and need to be connected state when it comes to getting licenses.

 

It is tough in MA too. I've had a couple plumbers burn me on my hours. I went to school for electical engineering before going into the HVAC field too. Never got my degree though. I respect your ambition, but you are going to have to jump through the beurocratic hoops if you want to stay out of trouble. I reccomend finding an honest plumbing and heating company (good luck) that will help you get all the neccesary licenses and hours required. It's really tough getting them all. Many plumbers take advantage of their employees by paying them very little knowing the only way to get your license is to work for a licensed plumber. I've heard of some letting guys go just before they get enough hours, then refusing to sign off on their hours. I would reccomend you go to the Dan Holohan seminar on January 17th and ask around if any of those companies are looking for help.
http://www.heatinghelp.com/seminars.cfm
It is well worth the money to get the education too. Dan is an incredible teacher, and I guarantee you will get a lot out of it.

 

I live in an area where all that is required to get a license is $75. That's right no education, no experience, nothing but money. Regardless, 20 years ago when I got into this trade I got into the apprenticeship program. This involved working full time & going to school at night for 4 years. I have been fighting ever since for such a requirement to no avail. I suggest you follow a similar route. It is no picnic but worth it as is the continuing education.

 

In Rhody here there is a one to one relation( apprentice to master plumber) and most master plumber sign on their own family/son even though they do not like the trade or work on it to keep the lisence on the family. And refused to sign anyone as an apprentice to keep competition out.

By the way I do go to school for heating on my own too. So if you know a more accomodating state for the lisence let me know. Maybe I can change it later for the RI License. I'm excellent taking tests.