Getting a van!

[rustyryan34]

Since I have passed my journeymans test they say they will give me a van at work, so i was wondering what tools you think i will need. I have all the handtools, basic meter, and cordless tools. We mostly do service work and resi. So what tools do you think I will need?

 

[frizbeedog]

How much money do you get to spend?

:grin:

 

[rustyryan34]

how much money do you get to spend?

:grin:

They wont give me any money but will give me a raise and payroll deduct any tools I buy through them. I know I want a hole hawg.

 

[frizbeedog]

They wont give me any money but will give me a raise and payroll deduct any tools I buy through them.

Paying for all your tools yourself?

Drag.

 

[nakulak]

buy one of everything

 

[rustyryan34]

Paying for all your tools yourself?

Drag.

Yeh thats how it has been since I started, but they insure them and will replace them when they get old or stolen.

 

[rustyryan34]

buy one of everything

Cool, but where do I start?

 

[satcom]

So what tools do you think I will need?

Good service electrician needs wiggy, screwdriver, and channel locks, other then that a roll of all weather plastic tape, for really big jobs! all the other tools are for a handyman.

 

[frizbeedog]

How 'bout a set of these.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1ED75

 

[DAWGS]

They wont give me any money but will give me a raise and payroll deduct any tools I buy through them. I know I want a hole hawg.

If you have to supply the tools, you might as well supply the material and get a business license and start your own company.

 

[LarryFine]

I know I want a hole hawg.

What's the matter? Half a hog isn't enough for you? :grin:

Actually, it's not easy coming up with a list of tools you will need, but you have been working long enough to picture your needs. Amassing tools is a never-ending process of necessity.

 

[iwire]

Yeh thats how it has been since I started, but they insure them and will replace them when they get old or stolen.

I would look for another employer. I provide my own basic tools, the company provides the rest.

 

[Rich R]

wow, how nice of them.

anyway, the things I found over the years to be the most useful are :

Fish Sticks
Laser Plumb bob
Flat 25' Fish tape
Close quarter/right angle drill (120V type, comes in handy when cordless is dead also.
Roto zip
socket set
mirror (or wall cam if you want to spend the money)

 

[480sparky]

If you have to supply the tools, you might as well supply the material and get a business license and start your own company.

Ditto .

 

[Rich R]

I agree with some of the other posters, about them wanting you to supply tools. That is a business expense and should be in thier pricing.

I have 3 trucks, each truck has it's own set of tools

Cordless :

Hammer drill, Sawzall, flashlight, circular saw

120 volt drill
120 volt rotary chipping hammer
1/2" - 2" KO set
1/2" - 2" Hole saw set
Fish sticks
200' fish tape
25' Flat fish tape
1/2" and 3/4" benders
socket set
set of wood/spade bits
set of metal drill bits
set of masonry bits
Unibit

I'm not going to list them all but you get the picture, It cost me money to keep up with these tools. Between maintenance and replacement I'd say probably at least $2K /year not including the initial 8K investment in buying them.

The tools are used up/worn out on jobs, therefore the replacement is figured into the hourly rate I bill out at

 

[DAWGS]

I agree with some of the other posters, about them wanting you to supply tools. That is a business expense and should be in thier pricing.


The tools are used up/worn out on jobs, therefore the replacement is figured into the hourly rate I bill out at

I'm sure the OP's company does the same, but when they can get their employees to buy the tools they are raking in the extra doe.

 

[celtic]

.. they insure them and will replace them when they get old or stolen.

This is going to get messy for you.

Who dictates what is "old"?
How long until the item is replaced?
How will the job get done w/o the necessary tools?
If the tools get stolen, do you instantly become suspect #1?
If you become injured using a (power) tool you purchased - who is liable?
If a tool is claimed "stolen", a replacement purchased, but then the "stolen" is recovered (by police or because it was simply misplaced) - do you get to buy that replacement tool also?
If the tools you purchase are of less than "contractor quality" [because you can only buy what you can actually afford] and the manhours on a particular task balloon - is your livelihood now in jeopardy?

The list just goes on
and on
and on
and on.....

Ask the EC to answer these questions...if he doesn't have an instant answer, he hasn't thought out his "plan" very well.

Why not just avoid all the paperwork and down time and let the EC buy the tools YOU will need to get THEIR jobs done?

 

[celtic]

Between maintenance and replacement I'd say probably at least $2K /year not including the initial 8K investment in buying them.

The tools are used up/worn out on jobs, therefore the replacement is figured into the hourly rate I bill out at

Exactly.
It's a write off...just like the $25k truck[and related expenses], the $2k/month warehouse/office[and related expenses], etc, etc ,etc

...when they can get their employees to buy the tools they are raking in the extra doe.

You really think so?
I think the company is exposing themselves to some serious liability that will totally eclipse any dough they may have raked in.

 

[480sparky]

You really think so?
I think the company is exposing themselves to some serious liability that will totally eclipse any dough they may have raked in.

Some ECs can't see past the next big check coming in.....

 

[DAWGS]

Exactly.
It's a write off...just like the $25k truck[and related expenses], the $2k/month warehouse/office[and related expenses], etc, etc ,etc


You really think so?
I think the company is exposing themselves to some serious liability that will totally eclipse any dough they may have raked in.

I think its crazy that they are supplying their own tools. I know if I made my men supply all the tools of course I would make more money. But I probably wouldnt have anybody working for me.