SylvanLMP
If my phone RANG off the hook all week long I know my prices are way to low.
For example Friday I went to a job at 11 AM and left at 4 PM ONE MAN using a 3,000 PSI jetter @10 GPM clearing out a total stoppage in a 3″ acid waste system for a commercial battery room.
For this one job (5) hours exactly I am able to bill out $1,650.
Monday I snaked out one 4″ main sewer 1/2 hour $325 plus I installed a 75 gallon hot water heater $1,400.
Guys that have this need to want to work 6 or 7 days a week to make the same net I make I think are fantastic as I have no problem sub contracting work to them.
I happen to like having lots of time off and I am basically lazy so why not make as much money using state of the art tools and equipment to allow me this relaxation time.
This past summer I and a helper installed 10 roof drains in 7 hours @ $1,000 per drain
A Professional can make $10,000 in a day (Netting $7,490) why work 24-7 if it isn’t necessary?
The guys who have no clue to their actual worth call successful businessmen rip off artists BUT I think Bill Gates deserves even more money (even thought he is now the worlds richest man) because he uses his brains to make a living and RE INVESTS BACK into his company.
Here a guy says he charges $49.95 to unstop a 2″ line, that is fantastic BUT you see my mechanic’s I pay over $45 per HR in the envelope NOT including benefits.
My lowest paid Jr. Mechanic I pay $30 per hour IN the envelope.
I have no idea what this guy calls the “good life”? as my personal income was over $225,000 this past year and I still think IM under paid.
Tony, ( part time $50 per hr no benifits) plumber working an average of 25 hours per week for 40 weeks made over $50,000 he is lazy also and likes time to spend with his family and go fishing.
If we work Saturday/Sunday its double time If we work at night (anything past 3:30 PM its double time) We like our time off also
Ever go to an office building and see several hundred lawyers working in this same place?
Some lawyers ( law firms) work for chump change of $200 per HR and others never charge less then $550 per HR.
They pay the same rent, have the same license BUT one knows their true worth and the ones who really are not that great have to charge less to grab the price shoppers rather then the folks who want and can afford the best.
Some folks think they have the good life driving a Yogo and other like myself enjoy driving my
Mercedes it is all what one considers is the life style they want for themselves and their employees
Lets think for one minute OK Jimbo.
Lets take the numbers given.
This gentleman says he can unstop a drain for $59.95 FANTASTIC ILL HIRE HIM FOREVER
Lets figure his Truck he got for FREE
and his truck does NOT use any gas Or need maintenance
Of course his insurance is about $6.00 per year and his men make under $25 per HR.
His equipment cost nothing to buy and it never gets damaged and his phone service is $5 per month and he has an office like most legitimate contractors and his rent has to be about $60 per year.
His Employees ALL get paid vacation and for this $59.95
I am sure he is able to afford hospitalization for everyone plus 2-3 weeks paid vacations and a yearly bonus around $1,200.
All I know is my video Camera with locator cost over $11,000 and my big Jetter cost me over $17,000 and my van to carry this one jetter cost me slightly over $32,000
and the “girl in the office” gross salary is $1,200 per week and my Merlin phone system with advertisements cost slightly over $800 per month and my office rent is only $2,500 and my insurance is only $40,000 per year so I can fully understand how someone can charge $59.95 and lead a VERY good life.
All I know is ILL continue charging enough to make sure my employees have the same decent life I have.
To even think of paying a skilled craftsman less then $30 per HR is a disgrace as $1,200 per week today is CHUMP change for a person to raise a family in a decent house with a new car etc.
I wonder how someone only charging $59.95 can keep abreast of all the codes they have to follow to be considered a “professional”
OSHA, NIOSH,MSDS,barrier free designs, plus all the safety equipment that have to be provided plus the BI yearly complete physicals required BY LAW for employees working where exposure to hepatitis B and A and other carcinogen’s these
employees are exposed to in this type of work.
Of course there are some folks who never bothered to read OSHA 1910 and have no clue about how many employees are required when working on a roof or a ladder.
FLSA Im sure is understood by someone charging $59.95 as they do keep abreast of the required on going training employees should have plus the weekly safety talks.
Jimbo if you went into business to work 100 per week Hey more power to you BUT if you think about it take the time your actually working and then find out how much your being compensated for it you may find you made more money working for someone else COUNT the hours your actually working. I try to work a 20 hr work week or less
I have been semi retired sinse Im 35.
If you take $200 per HR THEN honestly deduct your insurance, trucks, over head, employee salary, TRAINING, safety gear, new equipment, New Van, advertisement,
donations to charities. I budget $5,000-$8,000 per year for various causes like St. Jude hospital for children with Cancer and other charities it is called giving back to society and not taking constantly.
Being a ligitimate contractor means giving back to the society that gave you the oppotunity to make a decent living for you AND your employees.
There is something wrong in my opinion where a contractor or others do not give back to help those unable to help themselves.
I AM NOT TAKING WELFARE I am talking about the old the sick and Veterians and children who are deathly sick like make a wish foundation.
I know if I was silly enough to charge less then my normal $125 per 1/2 hr (For drain cleaning) I wouldnt be in a position to help anyone including myself.
The flat rate pricing is used by those who feel they cannot quote over the phone an hourly rate as it may scare price shoppers away.
You need to charge enough to make sure you can buy new equipment when needed and to train employees and yourself properly.
Jimbo your more then welcome to E mail me.
