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New Boiler Pricing

STEVE PAUL_3
STEVE PAUL_3 Member Posts: 126
THE MANUFACTURERS LIST PRICE (MSRP) HAS LITTLE BEARING ON WHAT FINAL CONSUMERS COST WILL BE. WHEN YOU ARE IN NEED OF A NEW BOILER YOU BUY A TOTAL REPLACEMENT.THE BOILER IS JUST ONE COMPONENT OF THE TOTAL PRICE. THE INSTALLERS SKILL, KNOWLEDGE AND INSURANCE,THE SUITABILTY OF THE BOILER FOR YOUR APPLICATION, THE BOILER SIZING FOR THE INTENDED LOAD, THE ADDITIONAL PARTS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED, ANY RE-PIPING OR PIPING ALTERATIONS, ANY SYSTEM UPGRADES THAT ARE REQUIRED, THE DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY OF THE INSTALLATION ETC. ETC. YOU COULD GO ONTO THE NET TO ANY BOILER MANUFACTURERS SIGHT AND MOST LIKELY GET THE LIST PRICE. IT WON'T TELL YOU VERY MUCH AS PART OF THE END COST. WHEN YOU BUY A NEW CAR, DOES MEAN MUCH TO YOU TO KNOW THE LIST PRICE OF THE ENGINE? YOU SHOULD EVALUATE THE TOTAL PROPOSAL GIVEN TO BY THE POTENTIAL INSTALLING CONTRACTORS. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH ONE MORE THAN THE OTHERS? DID ONE CONTRACTOR GIVE YOU DETAILED INFORMATION THAT WAS HELPFUL THAT OTHERS DID NOT? MY ADVICE TO YOU IS TO LOOK AT THE COMPLETE PACKAGE AND MAKE YOUR DECISION BASED ON THE TOTALITY OF THE PROPOSAL.

Comments

  • F Bush
    F Bush Member Posts: 3
    New Boiler Pricing

    I want to replace a 35 year old Smith steam boiler, but I'm having trouble finding out the actual price of a new Series 8.

    Is there a resource to find the true MSRP?
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,598
    On this site,

    we don't discuss pricing.
    Retired and loving it.
  • F Bush
    F Bush Member Posts: 3


    That’s fair. But, I don’t want to discuss it, I’m just looking for a resource so, as a homeowner/consumer, I can access whether or not I’m getting a fair price for equipment and labor.

    On the back of your book it states: “ . . . a great place to get straight answers”.
    My mistake.

  • Tom Hopkins
    Tom Hopkins Member Posts: 554
    Good luck to the contractor you choose

    I second steve
  • ALH_4
    ALH_4 Member Posts: 1,790
    Prices

    I agree with Steve that the installed price is what is most important. The contractor knows what profit is necessary for him to do the job. Whether that profit is shown on the boiler markup or in the labor, it's all the same in the end. If the price seems too high, I would recommend getting a second quote. Three would be ideal for comparison purposes.
  • John_173
    John_173 Member Posts: 63
    Good answer, Steve.

    Well reasoned.

    However, could you shut off the Caps Lock? Hurts my ears.

    Other than that, couldn't be better.
  • scrook_2
    scrook_2 Member Posts: 610
    multiple quotes!

    from *reputable* hydronics installers would tell you if you're getting a reasonable price.

    If a particular size Smith Series 8 (with a particular brand of oil (or gas) burner?) is desired than make that a condition of the quotation to level the field a little.

    Likewise, if outdoor reset, domestic water heating, chimney flue lining, oil tank replacement, gas line installation, etc., are also required then these should be spelled out too. Compare the prices quoted. Question why unusually low or high quotes are so differant from the rest.

    What is "fair" for labor is what the market will/must bear in your particular region. The larger the number of quotes, the closer you come to knowing this number, at least for the idiosyncrasies of your particular house. It's not an easy question.

    Hard part is ascertaining that the installer is well versed in combustion & hydronic heating, as it is a specialized branch of the plumbing and/or HVAC trades.

    Good luck!
  • bob young
    bob young Member Posts: 2,177


    go to a supply house and ask them.
  • D107
    D107 Member Posts: 1,906
    From one homeowner to another

    Just to show you how right is the advice you've been given, here is a copied spec sheet of MOST of the components of a system I had installed and you'll see how much more than just a boiler it is. This doesn't include the existing thermostats, new piping, bx cable, removal of old equipment or the great expertise with which it was put together. Took me months to find the right installer.

    Buderus G-115/21 Boiler

    Riello Burner Model: 40 F3

    Buderus ST-150/2 40 gallon Indirect Hot Water Tank

    Buderus Logamatic R-2107

    Roth Industries 275 gallon DWT 1000L with vent alarm, Roth

    Float type tank gauge, Roth Suction assembly

    New 5" insulated Stainless Steel Chimney Liner

    Amtrol Therm-X Span T-12 Expansion tank for hot water.

    B&G A07180 EASB Junior Air Separator

    Extrol Diaphragm type expansion tank Size 30.

    Field Controls Type RC Barometric damper

    Filter Burner: Westwood Spin-on Ultra 10Micron w vacuum gauge

    Filter Tank: Westwood F20 60 micron with cast iron top

    2 Firomatic Fusible Valves and 3/8" sleeved fuel line

    Mueller Ball Valves

    TACO (3) 007-F5 Circulators with isolation valves

    TACO (3) 200 Universal FloChek & isolation flanges

    TACO 5000 mixing valve for hot water

    TACO LWCO Model LNA 1203

    TACO SR503-EXP Switching Relay

    TACO water pressure control feed valve

    Tigerloop Aerator TN4 S220

    Tridicator T&P Gauge (WIKA)

    Valve Kit: (gate valves, etc.)

    Watts 40XL-5 temperature and pressure relief valve for HWH

    Watts WP Relief Valve Model 374 (Boiler)

    Wilkins Model 700 Dual Check Valve Backflow Preventer


    Good luck,

    David
  • Southside
    Southside Member Posts: 20


    You want to slam a homeowner for researching price data? Determining all costs is a normal part of evaluating any project. Good luck to you in maintaining you business!
  • Steve Ebels_3
    Steve Ebels_3 Member Posts: 1,291
    You got it

    Basing assumptions about the installed cost by getting the price on the boiler alone has about as much validity as pricing a car by asking how much the engine costs.

    Think system man, system. The boiler is just a part of the system.
  • F Bush
    F Bush Member Posts: 3


    Thank you folks for your input and some great suggestions.

    It’s difficult for a layman to access these issues in the abstract. I was just trying to perform some do diligence. Buyer beware and all that. I now clearly see what I’m up against.

    By the way, a 300 hp, 4.6L 3V, Aluminum block replacement engine for a 2005-2007 Mustang cost $6,700.00. That’s without A/C and power steering. Part number: M-6007-3V46. Labor here in the northeast, from the dealer, ranges from $85-$105 per hour.

    Thanks again.
  • ScottMP
    ScottMP Member Posts: 5,883
    Mr. Bush

    How much is it to install that block ?

    Labor rate is one thing, amount of time is another !

    How about the hoses and belts ?

    New wiring harness ?

    You see where I am going. Most mechanics will pay the same for the block but how long it takes them to install it and how well its done (including how they respond to a problem two manths later) is really what its all about.

    Scott

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Bruce M
    Bruce M Member Posts: 166
    Smith Boiler

    Why don't you just call up the Smith Boiler Company at (413) 562-9631. They are in Westfield, MA. I believe that they would be happy to give you that information and literature. You and I both know that when you change a Mustang engine that 99% of the time there is no need to change a wiring harness. That was thrown in to cloud the issue. We also know that there is a flat rate manual that tells how long it will take for the job.
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,578
    value & price

    as oscar wilde said long ago "some people know the price of everything and the value of nothing"
    had he not been a writer he no doubt would have been steam artist!--nbc
This discussion has been closed.