What's a fair price to install a hot surface igniter in a gas furnace that is easily accessable? After getting used last night by agreeing to pay the higher after hours costs, the guy shows up, says it's the igniter (I told 'em that on the phone, but of course, they don't believe the homeowner) and I don't have one. That'll be $100 please and we can come back tomorrow, for another $135 and install it for you.

I'm pretty torqued at this flat rate pricing - I can order the part online for about $30 and probably install it myself in 20 mins or so, or get it locally for $50, but I'm always leery of messing with gas appliances.

So, now I'm gonna be into these guys for $235 for a stupid $50 part that'll take all of 10 mins for them to install. From my perspective, it's their own fault they have to come here twice. Of course, if I use a different company, I have pay their "diagnostic" fee, plus their flat rate fee....

Oh yeah, the company I had come out after hours installed this furnace 4 years ago, though they say they "couldn't have". I have the original receipt from the previous homeowners.

Am I just ranting or am I being used?

 

Joel,

I do not do residential work, but the standard going rate would be the cost of the part (times 2 mark-up) plus minimum of 2 hours at $65.00/hr. plus sales tax on Material only.

If I were helping a bud out the cost would be the part plus a case of Shiner and call it good. Sounds like the service company you called is charging you about right, but failed to explain pricing structure properly.

Your best bet nowadays is to call an HVAC contractor who has not been consumed by the "monster consolidators". Those guys will take you to the cleaners trying to sell you all kinds of stuff that you do not really need...

My $.02 worth

Gary

 

Well, I was able to work out with the owner a suitable arrangement. I felt since all they did was come out the first time and tell me it was broken, but couldn't repair it until "normal business hours" that I should only pay the normal business hour service charge - a difference of only $30.

While I was probably a typically "I'm grumpy, my stuff broke and it's gonna cost me to fix it" customer, I was ready to pay the premium for having it fixed last night. And while I don't like the flat rate system, it's what's here and I was ready to pay that, too.

Turns out the company owner is a pretty straight shooter. He did the work previously at this house and when we talked about it, he said they basically replaced the whole system EXCEPT the furnace - that was original. The receipt I have actually listed the furnace as info for what was there, not as a new install. And, after he installed the part and was testing, told me (without trying to sell me anything right then) that the blower fan is about to give it up - 2 months max. Great - another repair for a house I'll be selling this summer!

Anyway, I have heat, I'm happy - relatively speaking - with the repair cost and they did right by me. When the blower quits, I'll call them again for the repair.

 

Replacing the blower motor is very easy, but if you've never done it, it can be a pitb. Most reputable electric motor shops will sell you the motor and help you take the old one out and install it into the blower housing. I have seen people bring the housing and motor into the shop we use in town, the owner points them to the coffee,coke machine,popcorn machine, and tells them to watch TV for a few minutes. In a few he brings it back ready to go, makes sure they understand the wiring and gives them his card if they have problems. Only bad thing is that the parking lot is usually so full, it's hard to get loaded and unloaded. By the way, it's B&D Electric Motor in Birmingham, Al. You couldn't ask for any better service.

 

I do HVAC residential for a living. I kinda think you got hosed. That part only taked about 10 min to diagnose and install on most furnaces. I have seen some that take longer though. Around here there is a minimum charge (1hr) and the parts are usually marked up 50%. If the tech did not have the part on hand it should have been his responsiblity to install it without the premium time charge. As far as the blower motor, how does he know what two months of life sound like? I have only been in this line of work for about 14 years and have yet to figure that one out. I personally would be leary of someone who has that "ability". I would not replace the blower motor until it does give up the ghost. Does it sound funky or anything? Did you have any inkling it was failing? Usually they will give some symptoms (noise) when they are failing.
Tom

 

Tom - he said the bearings sound like they're shot. Or almost shot. He wasn't trying to sell me a blower, just saying it'll probably go in a couple months. If it does, I'll replace it. If not, I won't.

The going rate around here was pretty much the same at all the places I checked with. And the owner made the premium charge right with me, so I'm OK with it - even if I could have paid less doing it myself.

He also tested the limit switches and stuff - was here for at least half hour. I'm OK with it now - well, as much as you can be OK with your stuff giving out.

 

Yea, I hate to part with any of my hard earned dollars that way. But, then again, if everybody thought that way I probably wouldn't have a job. As long as you are reasonably happy with the out come and final bill then as far as I can see it is a done deal. I have been on all three sides of the fence. Business owner, Service tech, and Customer. I now am "just" a service tech. When I hear how much some people get billed for I just shake my head................
Tom

 

Yeah, I know. It's like the old joke: Retired engineer is recalled to his factory to solve a problem. He spends about a half hour looking over things, takes a piece of chalk and marks a big X on the machine where it needs to be fixed and hands the plant manager a bill for $10,000. Shocked, the manager says," $10,000 for a white X??" "No," says the engineer, "it's a penny for the X and $9,999.99 for knowing where to put it."

I suppose I know where my X went, but like I said, I don't mess around with gas... well, not that kind anyway!

 

Joel, was thinking of you this morning.
Got a call from my sister, she owns about 10 rental properties in the area.
Says furnace won't start in this particular unit.
Went there, found bad igniter.
Removed igniter, went to supply house and picked one up.
Returned, installed igniter.
Works fine.
Part cost me $22.00
About 1 hour of my time.

Joel, hate to tell ya this man, you got hosed.
My Dad teaches HVAC at a local tech school and when I was younger, worked for him when he had his own business.
This helps, but it still does sound like you paid way too much for this.
Most 24hr burner techs or service companies keep thermocouples, igniters, oil burner filters, nozzles on the truck.
At least the most common ones.
Most burners are made by only a few companies, and are then relabeled with a certain brand name.
Most componenets are the same in a lot of furnaces/burners.
Sorry to be so long winded on this one.
Just hate to see anyone get overcharged.

Rich

 

Tom -

Well, it lasted about 8 more months. Quit last night. You want this guys number?

Fortunately, it quit late enough that the house was bearable last night. Unfortunately, by the time it was diagnosed (I suspected, but didn't want to tear into it blindly), it was already 85 in the house and climbing. Wife's already not too happy about the TX heat, so I just went ahead and had them replace it. Probably could have done it myself when I got home tonight, but by then it would have been 90+ in the house and I don't think the wife would have been very happy with me... she's the keeper of the books and she was OK with the extra money to have it done now vs waiting for me to get home from work.

I hope that's the last of it! Sheesh. So far this year, I've had to replace that ignitor, the evaporator coil and now the fan. No, none until it actually quit working. And no "extras" besides the labor.

We're moving to Newport this fall, so if I need something done, I'll give you a shout, Tom!

 

Got to reading this thread and was wondering why in god's name you needed the heater in the house in the middle of the summer in texas. Then I got to the bottom and realized the date.

 

Joel, I gotta tell 'ya man, that's some memory you have. I would never have been able to remember a conversation I had 8 mnths ago and then to find the post so I could update everybody...
I got to hand it to the service tech too. He must had some inside knowledge about that particular blower motor???? Nat

 

Actually, the conversation about the blower motor, and Tom's post did stick with me. And I knew I posted an HVAC question... so, search on HVAC in Other and there it was!

Nope, we sure didn't need any heat here this morning!!