reasonable cost of a repair
#1
12-28-10, 04:41 PM
reasonable cost of a repair
I have a hot water heating system that I am learning about and I had the heat go completly out. The burner and circular pump would not go on and the house temperature dropped dramatically. I don't know enough about these systems yet and had a technician look at it. He said he needed to replace the relay, which was why the burner and pump would not go on. The cost was $757 to replace the relay, which was according to a book. Is this reasonable for this type of repair? I am still trying to understand this type of system. Thanks.
#2
12-28-10, 05:11 PM
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Probably an alright price with late night after hours sevice call. Probably only $150-$150 more then the normal business hours but it depends on where you live.
Its in line with NJ prices
Mike NJ
Its in line with NJ prices
Mike NJ
#3
12-28-10, 05:29 PM
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I know I do not know enough about boilers, but what relay cost $600 to $750 dollars to replace? Poster does not say age type or any info about boiler or what time the service call was at.
#4
12-28-10, 06:05 PM
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Reasonable cost? No way, no how. What you encountered was a flat rate company. They have a fixed price for a given repair & the labor part of that fixed price is based on worst case scenario.
Just curious: What is the make & model of the relay?
Just curious: What is the make & model of the relay?
#5
12-28-10, 06:12 PM
$757 sounds out of line to me, but I am a cheap skate. I was looking at Honeywell relays and Honeywell lists them for close to $400, but they are available on the internet for under $150. I don't know about your specific relay, but look under PEX Supply and you should get an idea. It should take under an hour to replace the relay, then you have your service call and/or travel time. Anyway you get the idea, with an hourly rate you should be able to figure a reasonable price.
#6
12-28-10, 07:13 PM
I'm thinking he probably got a new aquastat but the tech didn't even know the right name for it... or didn't want to call it by the right name for whatever reason... maybe some kinda 'trade secret' .
#9
12-29-10, 02:33 PM
Well... bottom line, yeah they gouged you, sorry... list price from Honeywell is $170, you can buy it on-line for about $70... sorry for the bad news. I could see $350 total for that, and I'll bet he wasn't there for an hour.
#10
12-29-10, 05:09 PM
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We don't know what time of the day or night this victim was serviced. Perhaps, in desparation, he phoned one of those Yellow-pages outfits that advertises (with a big ad).
Here is the lesson I'd draw. Become a totally self-sufficient DIYer, or hook up with a trusted serviceman that you can rely upon. Those homeowners that are in between are probably the most vulnerable - many of whch visit here and get the wrong idea.
Here is the lesson I'd draw. Become a totally self-sufficient DIYer, or hook up with a trusted serviceman that you can rely upon. Those homeowners that are in between are probably the most vulnerable - many of whch visit here and get the wrong idea.
Last edited by Mike Speed 30; 12-29-10 at 06:18 PM.
#11
12-29-10, 05:39 PM
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Frosty10, I feel bad for you. Companies like the one you encountered prey on helpless victims like yourself. Once people discover how these outfits rip people off, rarely do they ever call that company again.
If you want to learn about your system, there is a whole group of folks here who are more than glad to help. Ask NJ Trooper. He came here with questions a bit over 4 years & 8,000 posts ago. Just be careful this place & boilers can become addictive, right Troop?
If you want to learn about your system, there is a whole group of folks here who are more than glad to help. Ask NJ Trooper. He came here with questions a bit over 4 years & 8,000 posts ago. Just be careful this place & boilers can become addictive, right Troop?
#12
12-29-10, 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Grady
Companies like the one you encountered prey on helpless victims like yourself. Once people discover how these outfits rip people off, rarely do they ever call that company again.
The real problem is that this industry is filled with shysters and crooks - with big Yellow Pages ads, etc. What is the answer? Should one avoid hot-water boilers because of the lack of honest repairmen?
#14
12-29-10, 07:17 PM
this industry is filled with shysters and crooks
