A Lochinvar Crest boiler typically costs about $25,000-$65,000 for the equipment and $45,000-$110,000 installed, with larger or more complex commercial projects sometimes exceeding that range. Capacity, venting, piping changes, controls, local labor rates, and removal of an existing boiler are the main price drivers.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crest boiler equipment | $25,000 | $42,000 | $65,000 | Varies by input capacity, configuration, and supplier |
| Installed replacement | $45,000 | $75,000 | $110,000 | Typical commercial installation with standard access |
| Large or complex installation | $85,000 | $125,000 | $180,000+ | May include extensive piping, venting, controls, or plant upgrades |
| Typical equipment capacity | 1.5 million Btu/h | 3 million Btu/h | 5 million Btu/h | Confirm the exact Crest model and configuration with the quote |
What a Lochinvar Crest boiler costs by capacity
For a standard Crest commercial boiler, buyers can budget $25,000-$65,000 for the boiler itself and roughly $45,000-$110,000 for a complete replacement. A middle-range project often lands near $75,000 when the building has usable gas, water, venting, and electrical connections. These are planning ranges, not fixed manufacturer prices; distributor availability, model selection, and project scope affect the quote.
Crest models are high-output commercial gas boilers, so their purchase and installation costs are substantially above those of residential boilers. Lower-capacity configurations generally cost less than units near the upper end of the range, but a larger boiler does not necessarily solve a building’s heating needs more economically. Proper sizing depends on design heat loss, domestic hot-water demand, and the building’s existing system.
Use $45,000-$110,000 as a practical installed budget for a typical Crest replacement. The lower end assumes standard access and limited alterations; the upper end allows for more labor, equipment, and commissioning. Assumptions: U.S. commercial project, one boiler, standard materials, normal access, and no major building-system redesign.
How boiler, labor, and venting shape the quote
A contractor’s proposal should identify the boiler model and separate equipment, labor, and project expenses. A low equipment price may not reflect a complete installation. Ask whether the quote includes startup, controls integration, removal of the old unit, and any work needed to meet current local code.
| Quote component | Typical price | What it can include | Cost conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crest boiler | $25,000-$65,000 | Boiler unit and standard factory components | Capacity, options, dealer pricing, and availability |
| Installation labor | $10,000-$30,000 | Rigging, connections, assembly, and installation | Crew size, access, schedule, and project duration |
| Venting and gas work | $3,000-$18,000 | Flue, intake, gas piping, and related fittings | Run length, diameter, route, and existing condition |
| Controls and electrical | $2,000-$12,000 | Wiring, sensors, control setup, and integration | Building automation needs and existing controls |
| Removal and disposal | $1,500-$7,000 | Disconnecting, moving, and disposing of old equipment | Boiler size, access, and disposal requirements |
| Permits and commissioning | $1,000-$6,000 | Permit fees, inspections, startup, and testing | Local requirements and commissioning scope |
The rows are typical planning ranges and do not all apply as separate charges in every proposal. Some contractors bundle labor, startup, and materials, while others list them individually. Compare quotes by included scope, not just by the boiler’s listed price.
Installation labor may be estimated as crew hours multiplied by the applicable shop rate, but commercial contractors often quote the complete job. If labor is itemized, ask for the estimated crew size and hours as well as the rate; a higher rate can still produce a lower total when the installation is better planned.
How 1.5-to-5-million-Btu capacity changes the price
Boiler capacity is one of the clearest equipment-price drivers. A project using a Crest near 1.5 million Btu/h may fall closer to the lower equipment range, while a unit near 5 million Btu/h can approach or exceed the upper range, depending on model options and dealer pricing. The exact model lineup and available configurations should be verified in a current supplier quote.
Capacity also affects indirect costs. Larger equipment may require wider access routes, heavier rigging, larger gas piping, or different vent dimensions. For example, a short, accessible flue route may keep venting near $3,000-$6,000, while a long route with new penetrations or substantial material changes can reach $10,000-$18,000 or more.
System scope matters as much as the boiler’s input rating. A single-unit replacement with compatible connections usually costs less than a project that changes the boiler plant, adds a primary-secondary piping arrangement, or connects multiple boilers to a new control sequence. Get a heat-load assessment before paying for a larger capacity than the building needs.
Site conditions can change the quote even when the boiler model stays the same. Tight mechanical rooms, stairs, limited loading access, asbestos-related work, or a need to keep the building heated during replacement can add labor and temporary-equipment expense. Ask contractors to identify these assumptions rather than burying them in a broad contingency.
How long commercial boiler installation takes
A straightforward replacement may require several working days on site, while a plant-room upgrade can take one to three weeks or longer. The calendar time depends on whether the boiler is in stock, permit timing, piping and vent modifications, and how much heating downtime the building can tolerate. Installation labor within the quote may be roughly $10,000-$30,000, but larger scopes can exceed that.
Rigging is a separate concern for large commercial equipment. Crane service, special lifting equipment, or after-hours delivery can add about $1,000-$8,000, depending on the route, equipment, and local provider. A difficult basement or roof installation may require a site visit before the contractor can provide a firm price.
Confirm whether the proposal includes rigging, startup, and building-system testing. A complete commissioning plan should state who verifies safe operation, checks controls, and documents the final setup. If a building cannot pause heating, temporary heat or phased work may add cost, so the schedule should be agreed before the project begins.
Why installation prices differ across U.S. regions
Commercial labor and permitting costs vary widely across the United States. A useful budgeting adjustment is to expect quotes in high-cost metro markets to run about 15%-30% above a comparable project in a lower-cost market. Suburban projects may land near the national planning range, while rural jobs can be lower on labor but higher in travel or equipment-delivery charges.
These percentages are broad comparisons, not guaranteed regional price lists. A dense city may charge more for skilled labor, inspections, parking, and equipment access. A rural site may require a contractor to travel farther or bring specialized rigging from another town. Supplier distance and local distributor inventory can also affect delivery timing and price.
Regional climate can affect the heating system design and the scope of related work, but it does not set a fixed Crest boiler price. Building load, operating schedule, and hot-water requirements determine the needed capacity. Compare at least three local, like-for-like proposals rather than applying a national average to a specific address.
Where removal, controls, and code work add expense
Removing an existing boiler commonly adds $1,500-$7,000, with more cost possible if the equipment must be dismantled in place or removed through a constrained route. Disposal requirements, insulation around old piping, and the weight of the existing unit can change the charge. If hazardous materials are suspected, testing and abatement are separate expenses and should be priced by qualified providers.
Controls integration can add $2,000-$12,000 when the new boiler must communicate with a building automation system or coordinate with pumps, multiple boilers, or domestic hot-water equipment. Reusing compatible controls may reduce the expense, but only if the contractor confirms that the existing components support the new system’s operating requirements.
Permits and inspections often add $1,000-$6,000, though local fees and the extent of required upgrades vary. A replacement may prompt code-related changes to gas piping, combustion-air arrangements, venting, electrical connections, or clearances. Ask the contractor to distinguish required code work from optional improvements.
Delivery, crane service, and temporary heat can be additional line items rather than part of the base installation. Request a written allowance for each uncertain item and ask when the contractor may charge more than the allowance. That makes it easier to compare a detailed quote with a lower bid that excludes job-site complications.
Repairing a Crest versus replacing the boiler
A repair can cost far less than replacement when the fault is limited to a replaceable component and the boiler remains in sound condition. A diagnostic visit may run about $150-$500, while common parts-and-labor repairs can range from $500-$5,000. A major heat exchanger or control-system repair can cost substantially more, so the contractor should identify the failure and provide a written repair estimate.
Replacement deserves comparison when repairs are recurring, important parts are unavailable, performance is unreliable, or a major repair approaches a meaningful share of a new installed system’s price. There is no universal age at which every Crest should be replaced; maintenance history, operating hours, water quality, and repair availability all matter.
Compare the repair price with the installed replacement quote and expected operating costs, not just with the boiler’s original purchase price. A new boiler may reduce some maintenance risks, but fuel savings are not guaranteed and depend on the old unit’s condition, operating controls, and building load. Get a diagnosis before treating an expensive component failure as proof that replacement is necessary.
How to reduce a Crest boiler quote without cutting essentials
First, define the work clearly. Specify whether the project is a direct replacement or includes piping, venting, controls, pumps, and building automation changes. Consistent scope makes contractor bids easier to compare and reduces the risk of paying for duplicate allowances or discovering excluded work after installation begins.
Request quotes for the correctly sized capacity and avoid adding options without a documented operating or code benefit. Where existing gas lines, vent routes, and controls can safely be reused, ask the contractor to price that option separately from full replacement. Reuse should be based on inspection and compatibility, not assumed in advance.
Scheduling can also influence cost. Planning a replacement before a heating emergency may provide more time to compare equipment availability and arrange access, whereas urgent work may involve premium labor, temporary heat, or rushed delivery. Bundling necessary work at the same site can reduce repeat mobilization charges, but unrelated upgrades should be evaluated on their own merits.
Compare three proposals with the same model capacity, removal scope, venting, controls, permit allowance, startup, and warranty terms. Ask each bidder to list exclusions, payment milestones, and how change orders are approved. The lowest quote is not necessarily the least expensive project if it omits commissioning, code work, or essential rigging.