Rain Bird Class or Not ?

[Mimowerman]

Here is the deal guys....
I'm the owner of a small Lawn Care and Landscaping Co, who at the moment subs out most our irrigation work( few dozen winterizing, and misc. work to a couple local companies. I am happy with the work they do, but am looking at buying out the one Irrigation contractor( single man operation) Who is nearing retirement age. I have limited knowledge of irrigation Design and a basic understanding of its repair and trouble shooting.

Problem:

I would like to have a better understanding of the irrigation field before taking on any work, and hiring a tech who may be sick , and or I don;t want to be the " stupid boss" who dosnt know anything so I could get taken advantage of I need to know what i'm doing too!

I am very busy and am not sure I can find enough time to spend days on end on service calls with him.....


Would this class be beneficial to me? What else could I do ?
197 - Irrigation Technician’s Course
16 hours $599 (11980 Rewards Points)
This intensive two-day course takes you through the important topics related to the repair and maintenance of efficient irrigation systems. This class is ideal for irrigation service technicians, irrigation system managers, distributor personnel or other irrigation professionals that want a better understanding of the set-up and maintenance of efficient, effective irrigation systems.
Day One
Gives you the big picture of irrigation systems. Hydraulics, flow limitations, components, and basic scheduling are the major subjects covered. Special attention is given to the effective use of water in the landscape.
Day Two
Devoted to irrigation system troubleshooting. Different problem scenarios are covered from symptoms and possible causes to investigation and ultimately, resolution. Controller programming, electrical troubleshooting, valve and head troubleshooting


Thanks in advance !

[Wet_Boots]

If the one-man operation is doing lots of repairs, there's your college, and you will find a way to attend classes.

[Mike Leary]

I'd take it a little slower; it takes years to become a competent tech. With the Internet, you can learn, at your pace, the basics. The hard part only becomes clear with experience. If you're buying the biz, get something in the contract that gives the previous owner incentive to help you get established. When I sold my biz, I got 10k upfront, which gave me a reason to teach the new owner the trade and it's worked great to this day.

[Rotor_Tool]

Save the 600 bucks. You are in a very competitive market, so I would be very hesitant to get in the biz at all. If you are dead set on it, call around to some local distributors and ask them to provide some guidance for you. PM me, I will get you some local info...

[Waterlogged]

We are required to take a 32 hr class before we can take the test to become a licensed irrigator by the state, and I will tell you there are hundreds of "licensed irrigators" in my area that do not have a clue about installing or repairing a system. Try to get experience or hire someone that knows what they are doing. A good service tech will pay for himself.:waving:

[CAPT Stream Rotar]

You could hire me for a month and i will teach you everything I know..
I mostly enjoy trouble shooting and wire tracing/valve locating....fixing pipes and large Resi installs are no brainer's for the most part.

I could have you in good shape....

[Mike Leary]

You could hire me for a month and i will teach you everything I know..

Talk about the blind leading the blind. :rolleyes:

[Stuttering Stan]

I took that class several years ago. IMO, it's very expensive and they throw a lot of new information at you in a short period of time. No way you can digest it all. They did provide me with a large manual which I read a few times at my convienence.
If I had to do it all over again, I would have skipped the class and jumped in the trenches. Hands-on experience is the best.

[Wet_Boots]

You could hire me for a month and i will teach you everything I know..
I mostly enjoy trouble shooting and wire tracing/valve locating....fixing pipes and large Resi installs are no brainer's for the most part.

I could have you in good shape....Now how much do you think you can earn in the land of the $25 winterizings? :nono:

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

You could hire me for a month and i will teach you everything I know..
I mostly enjoy trouble shooting and wire tracing/valve locating....fixing pipes and large Resi installs are no brainer's for the most part.

I could have you in good shape....

Hire me and eddie and get twice the education. I'll bring pigtails, rainmaster, and a 521. Eddie will bring everything else.

[Mimowerman]

Thanks everyone , the responses thus far are what I expected..... get out and get my hands dirty!!! This market( Detroit MI area ) Is just that cut throat and loaded with competition, However it is an no brainer to add on to my existing list of services. Most HOA's and commercial accounts and even homeowners don't want to have six different service providers at there home on a regular basis. I do know of a few local suppliers ( John Deere and Central Irrigation) I'll stop on by and see what free classes they have.

enjoy the rest of winter and get out and make some $$$ this spring Boys!!!

[Mimowerman]

Hire me and eddie and get twice the education. I'll bring pigtails, rainmaster, and a 521. Eddie will bring everything else.

love the web page btw.... will take me just a few days to get through I'm sure , but its not snowing in Michigan what else do I have to do?

Is there any Irrigation contractors from Michigan on here? I do not plan on doing any installs in the near future, and will need a good contractor to work with .

[Wet_Boots]

Good contractors maintain their own installation work. How does that fit into your picture?

[Mike Leary]

Good contractors maintain their own installation work. How does that fit into your picture?

And that's how you build the biz into being saleable.:clapping:

[Dirt Plumber]

I just took that class in Atlantic City, I have been in the industry for about 10 years, and still got something out of it. Even if there are lots of contractors in your area, you still need to know how fix irrigation on you jobsites.