Hi, please can people give me an idea on:
(1) How often they service their flute
(2) How much is costs (of course I know it depends on work required)

My band director tells me that to keep your flute in good condition, that you should have it taken into the shop for cleaning and adjustments about every 2-3 years. Dust and dirt gets into your flute, and your pads can start peeling. The cost usually varies based on just what exactly you need done. Ask your band director, or private teacher if they know anyone who could help you. They might even give a discount ! I hope I helped!

I`ve usually had to send my daughters flute for service every year. The cost used to be around $110 a few years ago. Then a friend did it, and the price dropped to $50. Now that my friend has moved away, and we`ve upgraded our flute, I will also be curious to see what a more professional flute organization is going to charge.

My advice... keep your costs relative to your interest and the price of your flute. We send the cheap flutes out to the regular flute repair places (there`s only a couple in NJ) for the cheap flute. Usually this meant the first time they didn`t get it all done properly (some squeaks and leaks still existed). We make sure to keep the beginner flute in good repair as a backup for such times.

Now that we have a $3000 flute, we are taking it to a technician who works for the pros. I expect the service will be commensurately better, (and more expensive.)

well if you are in marching band and use the same flute for concert band then i would suggest you send it in to get it looked at every year. only because in marching band the instrument goes through so much abuse, with the rain, mud, bleachers, etc. depending on where you send it in, the cost could range any where from $50 up to $100 at least. just look around to see which is the best place to send your flute in. i don`t have that problem of using the same flute for both seasons any more after buying an open-hole flute for concert. but every other year i still get my flute looked at just to make sure i didn`t break any thing during marching band.