Boiler changes, Boiler servicing or both?

[tim88]

hi all

Just needed a bit of advice.
As a newly qualified gas safe engineer is it a good idea to concentrate on doing Boiler replacements or Boiler servicing and maintenance or both?

cheers

Tim

 

[grahamgas]

Just concentrate on what is within your comfort zone.
It is very easy, when newly qualified to get out of your depth. Get on a few manufacturers days to see how individual boilers operate etc. also the baxi fault finding course is very good as well.

Graham

 

[Millsy 82]

Really you need to do both as both help with each other.

I started off installing through my apprenticeship for 4 years then went service and maintenance for 2 years.

After that I have gone through a few years and have settled with service and maintenance but there are things if you have installed the boilers know off the top of your head instead of scratching your head the same the other way round.

 

[Backboiler]

I would concentrate on building a sound customer base before being picky about what you do. You can't turn work down. For eg. If you choose repair and you go to a customer to find their appliance faulty and beyond repair, what do you say? "you need a new boiler/fire, find someone in the yellow pages to fit one cos I don't install them" I don't think so.

 

[Rickster123]

If I could have my time again I'd get into servicing and breakdowns. I'm 32 and have the back and knees of an 80 year old. Installing is more involved and great job satisfaction but it catches up with you.

 

[stevetheplumber]

we would all like to specialise but as someone has said its not that easy given a choice id do nothing but breakdowns once youve been doing 4 a day foor a couple of years it wil lbe easy as youll more of less know what the problem is likley to be before you take the case of
actually id like to specialise in ballvalves 4 a day would be good

 

[ADM360]

Hi, I really only install, do the odd break down for my regular customers, but I do have a very good working relationship with a local service engineer, who is only really interested in servicing, so I pass on all new/ tricky break downs and all my servicing to him, and likewise he passes all installs on to me, when he gets a boiler beyond repair I stick in a new one! but as stated earlier you need to work in your comfort zone(then build on that) and work on good customer relations!!