Backflow Certification

[ARGOS]

I have been pondering the back flow tester certification course from AWWA. The person that does most of the testing here is retiring.

I noticed on previous post $75 as the going rate. I spoke to some of my customers and the guy retiring is $36 and the other company is $56. $56? It doesn't seem financially worth it?

[Mad Estonian]

I think that $75 was from me, and I'm in Canada :canadaflag: so I'm sure we're a bit more up here. I've heard of other guys going $150.
It is pretty easy money for the most part (i.e. passes the test), if you don't have to drive too far.

[Mike Leary]

I have been pondering the back flow tester certification course from AWWA. The person that does most of the testing here is retiring.

Do it, it's not just the money. If it is, a test takes 10 minutes if you've got test **** adapters for your test machine. When we tested, it was prolly a 3k per year part of the biz, plus the re-dos when BFs failed, plus new installs. Plus sprinkler work. Do it! :hammerhead:
We were $50.00 when we tested, I'd be going to $85.00 these days, especially if there is more paperwork with the purveyors.

[ARGOS]

Do it! :hammerhead:

Geez Mike...easy with the hammer. I got it.

I will get the cert asap. My eyeball hurts.

[Mike Leary]

Geez Mike...easy with the hammer. I got it.

::::takes medicine::::

[ARGOS]

Now you know how my mother felt. She took alot of medicine too.

wait...who is taking the medicine? ;)

[Mike Leary]

[QUOTE=ARGOS;2561451 took alot of medicine .)[/QUOTE]

What ?, you think it was easy in the sixties taking medicine?

[ARGOS]

Obviously someone had to do it.

[bicmudpuppy]

I won't beat on you like ML (he can be kind of mean), but if it isn't going to be real expensive (The class prior to certification testing was around $200 when I did it), the extra referrals, etc is well worth it. Not to mention, testing, if required by the purveyor is profitable. $36 sounds cheap IF that is all your charging for. Are you going to go do an irrigation BFT and ONLY test the device? You better do a system check after testing (hint, hint) and if you can't find two or three minor repairs on most properties, then your systems are in a LOT better shape than most that I have ever seen. $36/test on a commercial property and test the irrigation and the domestic and you could be doing 4-5 tests/stop and only be there for a bit over an hour. I never could justify the extra expense to test fire, BUT if there isn't anyone else doing it in your area..........Yeah, another opportunity, BUT don't do those for only $36/test. Try triple that number to touch a fire system. We used to test for $25 for the test, but they had to pay the service call for us to show up ($40 for the first 1/2 hour and $40/hour after). Got to LOVE a 3 device stop at that rate and be gone in less than one hour.

On a similar subject, are BF parts still only available to professionals? I know some of the plumb shops would sell w/o verifying credentials, but they never sold to homeowners. One of the best parts about backflow work was the HO never got to paste you over price. I always marked BF parts up 200%. The 3x multiplier helped my attitude in those hard for a big guy to get to spaces.

[Dripit good]

I have been pondering the back flow tester certification course from AWWA. The person that does most of the testing here is retiring.

I noticed on previous post $75 as the going rate. I spoke to some of my customers and the guy retiring is $36 and the other company is $56. $56? It doesn't seem financially worth it?

Are you a master plumber? It's a prerequisite here in order to get certified in back flow testing. $56? $36?? Around here they get anywhere between a buck and a buck and a arf for irrigation systems. Cake work for sure.

[ARGOS]

Not to mention, testing, if required by the purveyor is profitable. $36 sounds cheap IF that is all your charging for.

I never could justify the extra expense to test fire...

On a similar subject, are BF parts still only available to professionals? I know some of the plumb shops would sell w/o verifying credentials, but they never sold to homeowners. One of the best parts about backflow work was the HO never got to paste you over price. I always marked BF parts up 200%. The 3x multiplier helped my attitude in those hard for a big guy to get to spaces.

The largest local purveyor does require annual testing. But, as ML mentioned last week, he passed up unorganized bf programs at small purveyors. When I contacted them there were no clear answers to my questions and the engineer told me they require DCVA for cross connections?

I didn't think of fire.

I don't think HO can get parts, but can purchase complete bf devise.

The fees for the class and cert are around +/-250. The time is the bigger commitment.

[ARGOS]

Are you a master plumber? It's a prerequisite here in order to get certified in back flow testing.

I am a landscape contractor. Master of nothing.

I wondered the same thing. All I can find on the AWWA CA NV site is that one must have two years experience or completion of course on bf, high school degree (yes I have it), and pass exam.

[Mike Leary]

I am a landscape contractor.

Don't demean yourself or I'll :hammerhead: you again. Contact the purveyor in the area you want to test in, ask for the " cross-connection control specialist". If they have one, ho ho, they'll get you to how to get your ticket. It's not easy, and there is a ton of responsibility. The way it works up here, which follows west coast rules: you can test inside & outside,you can install outside, plumber ticket inside.

[ARGOS]

It's not easy, and there is a ton of responsibility.

From what I have read on the AWWA site doesn't sound easy, but it sounds interesting. The certification course actually sounds fun. There is a lot of information there and I realize the responsibility AND the liability. Which brings me to my liability insurance? How is that effected?

you can test inside & outside,you can install outside, plumber ticket inside.

Test inside and outside and install outside...perfect. I want to stay outside anyway.


The way it works up here

Since you brought that up. So, in CA they combined the irrigation contractor license and landscaper license to one license C27 landscape contractor. Is that the same in WA? What are the certs in different states? Anyone?

[bicmudpuppy]

If your going to pursue it, do NOT let them box you in. Ask THEM what certification(s) they recognize........ABPA, ANSI, etc. I let my ABPA expire. My test kit would have had to be replaced and I wasn't in an area requiring testing anymore. When I was living in KS and testing in KS and MO, I took the MO cert because KS recognizes any cert. for BF testing. I found the ABPA test to be easier to take/pass. ANSI wanted other experience than what I had at the time.

[Mad Estonian]

Which brings me to my liability insurance? How is that effected?

Ah yes, i had a helluva time getting liability insurance that covered testing at first. It became a bit of a story. My broker just couldn't find anyone who would touch me, there seemed to be a lot of ignorance in the industry about backflow. He became quite the expert in the process, and I had a long dialogue with the local Cross Connection supervisor. Then I contacted some people in our provincial irrigation association, and got in touch with a firm on the mainland who insured me no problem, at a reasonable rate. I still don't really know what happened there...
And honestly, you really should get that certification. I think all irrigators should have one, wherever they're allowed. It's an important part of our industry.

[Mike Leary]

in CA they combined the irrigation contractor license and landscaper license to one license C27 landscape contractor. Is that the same in WA?

Geez, I think we're hangin' with the lawn crews up here.

[ARGOS]

Contact the purveyor in the area you want to test in, ask for the " cross-connection control specialist".

BTW Mike thanks for the basic "here is who to call" info.