AceSprinkleRx
06-27-2005, 03:39 PM
Might be picking up a nice small truck to use as a service truck tonight. If we decide it's the one we want I'll start running some small classifieds for a couple of months to begin picking up some of the smaller service/repair work.
But I'm concerned since I haven't layed out the cash for a 521 or a Pulser to track wires/valves and easily find any wire faults if need be. The Derrybeery guide to troubleshooting controllers and wiring makes a side comment about locators, but discusses how to dig and test with a multimeter to narrow down the problem areas (Lot of work there digging, testing and filling holes back up).
My goals are to take income earned and invest it back into the biz by adding these units at a later time when I've put enough cash into the biz to do so. Is this going to be a huge problem right off the bat for me? Or would it for you? Does anyone get by without them right now?
If I do decide to invest in them sooner than I planned to, do you make additional charges for using them on the job? I see no reason not to make them pay for themselves on the job ticket.
With a couple of OJT calls for friends under my belt, not much experience I know but I need to start somewhere, my goals are to charge a $30 curb fee with 1/2hr on site included. Then $30/hr afterwards in 15min. increments, plus parts, materials, etc.
If you do bust out the locators on a job site, do you make an additional charge for their use? Or do you consider it to be "part of the job" and a time saving feature for yourself? I wouldn't charge a "shovel w/operator rate" but then again I'm not going to dig out a valve or box with my hands either, right? But of course if you use a backhoe you charge for it's hourly rate.
So, what's everyone here do?
But I'm concerned since I haven't layed out the cash for a 521 or a Pulser to track wires/valves and easily find any wire faults if need be. The Derrybeery guide to troubleshooting controllers and wiring makes a side comment about locators, but discusses how to dig and test with a multimeter to narrow down the problem areas (Lot of work there digging, testing and filling holes back up).
My goals are to take income earned and invest it back into the biz by adding these units at a later time when I've put enough cash into the biz to do so. Is this going to be a huge problem right off the bat for me? Or would it for you? Does anyone get by without them right now?
If I do decide to invest in them sooner than I planned to, do you make additional charges for using them on the job? I see no reason not to make them pay for themselves on the job ticket.
With a couple of OJT calls for friends under my belt, not much experience I know but I need to start somewhere, my goals are to charge a $30 curb fee with 1/2hr on site included. Then $30/hr afterwards in 15min. increments, plus parts, materials, etc.
If you do bust out the locators on a job site, do you make an additional charge for their use? Or do you consider it to be "part of the job" and a time saving feature for yourself? I wouldn't charge a "shovel w/operator rate" but then again I'm not going to dig out a valve or box with my hands either, right? But of course if you use a backhoe you charge for it's hourly rate.
So, what's everyone here do?