Commercial Boiler Servicing: How Much Does It Cost?

A commercial boiler can be expensive to install, but since it will likely last up to 15 years, it is certainly worth it.

Nevertheless, over the years you may encounter problems and need some minor repairs, and if you’re wondering what these repairs will cost you, you’re not alone.

Commercial boilers generally last 15 years, but if you’re having any problems during that time frame, it’s good to call in a technician to diagnose the problem.

Some of these problems can include noises coming from the boiler itself, finding hot or cold spots in your home, any type of leaks, or a utility bill that suddenly gets higher than it usually is.

The costs to repair a boiler will vary greatly across the country.

They will depend on the age of your boiler, where your business is located, and the exact problem you’re encountering.

For an average service call, you can expect to pay between £135 and £460.

Fortunately, a reputable plumbing company should be able to give you at least a rough estimate before they come to your office.

Keep in mind that once they get there, the price may change. Things such as where the unit is located and how many parts they have to replace can change the cost of the service, though not always by a lot.

Many plumbing companies will have a minimum service or per-hour fee, and those fees can be as high as £110 per hour or even higher.

Check with the company and ask them what their specific fees are so you won’t be surprised when they get there.

Regular yearly maintenance of your commercial boiler is crucial to keeping it running properly year after year. Because of this, it’s good to know what a local company’s fees are, even if it is just an estimate.

When it comes to the low versus the high end prices, you can expect to pay as little as £70 or as much as £880 for that service visit.

This is a wide range, of course, so let’s take a look at some prices for some specific services.

Let’s take a look at some of the more common commercial boiler problems and what they may cost to repair:

• Mineral deposits: £7 to £29 for materials / £110 to £180 for labour
• Faulty circulator, ductwork, etc.: £110 to £255 for materials / £180 to £360 for labour
• Faulty expansion tank: £29 to £95 for materials / £75 to £180 for labour
• Faulty pipes, circulator, valves: £110 to £290 for materials / £145 to £430 for labour
• Ignitor switch: £18 to £110 for materials / £75 to £145 for labour

Of course, because prices can vary so much depending on lots of factors, you can always call a local company and ask what they charge for materials and labour for each specific project.

While boilers usually last up to 15 years, sometimes it’s best to replace the boiler altogether if it’s having problems and it’s more than 10 years old.

Gas boilers cost between £1800 and £5600 on average, but if you’re constantly having to get repairs for your boiler, the costs can quickly add up to more than this amount.

It’s often better for you economically to go ahead and get another boiler installed in many instances.

Also, note that the most common boiler problems have to do with the circulator or the expansion tank.

This is good to know if your boiler breaks and you call a technician to get an estimate of the repair costs.

Other problems with your boiler can include:

• No heat or poor heat production
• Mineral deposits
• Improper water levels
• A malfunctioning pilot or burner ignition
• Problems with the water circulation pump
• Issues related to the expansion tank

This being said, keep in mind that there are a few different types of boilers, and each one has its own repair problems and costs.

Let’s take a look at the average repair costs and the most common problems with each type.

• Average repair costs of £145 to £360
• Common problems include clogged burner nozzles, cracks in the heat exchanger, and fuel pipes that are corroded or clogged

• Average repair costs of £75 to £290
• Common problems include issues with the water circulation pump and the expansion tank

• Average repair costs of £145 to £290
• Common problems include low pressure and lack of hot water

Typically, people hire a technician to come in and inspect their boiler once a year.

You can get the inspections done either right before or right after the heating season.

Service technicians will test every part of the boiler and make sure it is cleaned properly.

They look at every part of the unit so they can catch if something is wrong with it.

Most inspections last roughly an hour, but some can last up to 90 minutes depending on the boiler itself.

Even if your boiler is running perfectly and you aren’t having any problems with it, the yearly inspection is always highly recommended.

Your boiler has a lot of controls, valves, and gauges, and a good inspection of each of these is crucial if you want your boiler to last.

In addition to catching problems before they become too complex or expensive to repair, regular inspections always enable the boiler to run more efficiently, saving you a lot of money on your monthly utility bill.

One thing you don’t want to do is try and ascertain any problems with the boiler yourself.

This can actually make things worse in the end.

The good news is, boilers are dependable and usually last up to 15 years with only annual inspections necessary to keep them running.

Repairs may be needed at times, but you can get an estimate of the costs beforehand so that your final bill isn’t such a surprise.

Some companies even have financing plans for those times when replacing the boiler is your best option.

They’ll work with you so the process isn’t complicated or difficult for you.