Gas Burner/Boiler Maintenance Business

Jalen_Jalen2006

I am fully licensed and keep my codebook attached to my hip, I want to start a part time boiler cleaning business. Strictly gas boilers, in my area its mostly LPG i just want to know what guys think it's important to carry for stock. My thoughts: universal everything, so Gas valves, ignition controls, pilot assembly, flame sensors, HSI, igniter. What do you guys think? Appreciate any help

Danny Scully

i would say be proactive not reactive. Make recommendations to the customers you service and order the specific parts you need. Take note of the different boilers and look up their parts list. Start to see any trends and maybe make decisions based on that. I’m not saying to have nothing in stock, but just know you can never have it all. To your point, universal is good.

EBEBRATT-Ed

aquastats, pressure controls and gauge glass if steam, back flow preventers, expansion tanks and prvs for water

JUGHNE

Insurance that states you can work with LPG……Propane.

My liability insurance policy states "No LP…Propane work covered". It could be added for more money.

I might do some propane work every 2 years, but I was never there.

But your case sounds like mostly LPG.

Any insurance company today will do anything to not pay out, so check out the fine print.

Also parts wise, I would carry first and second stage LP gas regulators sized for the typical installation.

EdTheHeaterMan

Have a variety of thermostats. Some homeowners will want them new fangled internet thermostats. get familiar with one brand. do you have more furnaces that boilers? Those fan timer boards for operating the gas valve, ignition, combustion fan, and blower are all pretty brand specific. and within those brands, there are sometimes different boards for different models. It's been a while, but it would be nice to see a universal fan timer that can be adapted to condensing, non-condensing, direct spark, spark to pilot and HSI systems. But there are too many variables and dip switches that if set incorrectly, of tampered with by the homeowner, will have dangerous results in some cases.

You are just gonna have to order the right part in come cases. and that should be reflected in your pricing. A flat rate for picking up parts from shop or supply house, and a return trip fee that is a little less than your regular service call fee is something to think about. You might have short trip and long trip pricing that can indicated after you make the call at the customers home to find the part and how ling it will take to get it, Same Day because it is in stock locally, Next day, or 3 to 5 days for shipping. If your customer wants to pay the overnight shipping charges etc.

I remember having a Taxi Cab company on call for picking up parts from the supply houses in Pleasantville NJ, then dropping them off at the customers house in Cape May NJ, while I went to another customer while waiting for the parts. Today, you can Uber! just ask the customer to pay for the service. For less $$$ they can wait until the supplier delivers it to your shop on Thursday, and you will be there Friday at no extra charge.